Low back pain is prevalent in today’s society and accounts for a least 80% of visits to your local Torrance chiropractor. Pain and disability resulting from low back pain is very costly in economic terms of lost wages from sick days. However chiropractors continue to very effectively treat low back pain at a lower cost than traditional medicine and get you back to life and work sooner.
As a Torrance chiropractor I have been thoroughly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain. My 21 plus years experience in treating thousands of low back pain patients have allowed me to choose the best tools and methods available to quickly begin a treatment program to address the specific issues that are the cause for your low back pain.
The appropriate treatment first begins with a thorough history and examination. A thorough history includes past history, family history as well as the history of the presenting complaint. Your detailed exam includes general appearance, vital signs, range of motion testing, gait and station evaluation, reflexes, sensory evaluation, motor strength testing, palpation and postural evaluation. Diagnostic testing may also be indicated based upon the history and examination findings.
Treatment generally comes in two stages-acute or passive care and active or rehabilitative care.
Acute or passive care incorporates the use of physiotherapy modalities to reduce symptoms of pain, spasm, swelling or inflammation. Chiropractic manipulative therapies are utilized to increase range of motion and correct spinal alignment. The type of manipulative therapy used is determined by the condition of the patient and the diagnosis. There are many different techniques available to a chiropractor. The doctor’s experience with these various techniques allows the proper choice to be made for the comfort of the patient.
Active or rehabilitative care continues the use of chiropractic manipulation but also brings in exercise programs that will help stabilize your spine and begin to strengthen key muscle groups that reduce stress on the low back. There are many types of exercise programs from high tech to low tech. Low tech methods are inexpensive and can often be done at home with proper training.
Soft tissue techniques such as pressure point therapy, massage, myofascial release and post-isometric relaxation can be utilized throughout treatment for the correction of the soft tissue component of low back pain.
A nutritional evaluation can also be very helpful for recommendations that can aid the healing process, reduce inflammation and pain in the body. Utilizing natural remedies can reduce unwanted side-effects of over the counter and prescription medications. Nutritional programs can also be implemented for weight control to reduce unwanted pounds that can contribute to low back pain.