Finding What Works for Back Pain
If you’ve had back pain, you’ve probably tried a few things to feel better. Some approaches you can do on your own, like stretching or taking supplements. Other approaches require visiting a practitioner or health professional. Most of these strategies are designed to reduce or even eliminate back pain.
If you’ve lived with back pain, you also know the results vary. Some things help, others don’t. Of the methods that do help, some provide only a little relief, while others can help a lot. For a lucky few, the back pain goes away and never returns. For others, the relief is temporary, and the search for answers continues.
When something you try doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean it never works. The same approach may have helped someone else. So why didn’t it help you? That’s a great question—and one that doesn’t always have a clear answer.
Many Options, Many Reasons
There are countless options for treating back pain. There are just as many reasons why those treatments may or may not work. The challenge is figuring out which option is right for you.
Sometimes, the best strategy is to keep it simple. By breaking down the choices, you can better navigate your way toward a solution that fits your specific needs.
From a scientific perspective, there is evidence for many approaches. Here’s one way to look at the potential options for treating back pain.
3 Steps to Back Pain Treatment with Chiropractic Care
There is strong evidence that back pain can be treated with three common approaches.
Effective back pain care should give the best chance of recovery while also being cost-effective. Even when insurance covers some of the expense, there is always a cost. That’s why treatments that lack strong evidence, cost more, or involve higher risks should be considered with caution.
Why Chiropractic?
Doctors of Chiropractic are trained and regulated to practice in a way that balances safety, effectiveness, cost, and patient input. Their scope of care is based on scientific evidence and designed to put the patient’s best interests first.
Within that scope, chiropractors have many tools available. For most patients with back pain or other spine-related conditions (as long as no serious underlying problem like cancer or infection exists), three proven approaches stand out:
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Spinal manipulative therapy (adjustments)
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Spinal and overall fitness
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Lifestyle advice
3 Steps to Back Pain Treatment
If you’ve been to a chiropractor, you’ve probably experienced this type of care. You may have been adjusted, given exercises, and offered advice. Sometimes, treatment can be that simple.
Did it always work? Not for everyone. But research shows it was likely the right first step. Chiropractic care provides a safe, non-invasive, and cost-effective starting point for addressing back pain and other spine concerns.
Collaboration and Referrals
Another strength of chiropractic care is knowing when to refer. Chiropractors focus on a very specific part of spine health and function, which often plays a role in back pain, neck pain, and even headaches.
But sometimes back pain involves other factors beyond the scope of chiropractic care. In those cases, a referral is appropriate. Cooperative care often provides the best outcome for patients and ensures that every aspect of the problem is addressed.
Back Pain can be treated initially with a 3 fold approach supported by the evidence.
Hence, if you went in a different direction with you back pain treatment, it may now be an option to see a chiropractor. If you tried chiropractic care, but it did not involve those 3 simple components in their most basic way, it could be time to try it again. And if you did try it and you’ve done or are doing those 3 components well, be patient. Many problems take time and some fine tuning or persistence to get better. Finally, based on a good assessment and treatment results so far, it may be time for an appropriate referral.
In all cases, remember that your back pain is unique because it’s happening to you. Having this 3 step approach as a foundation of your care will support your progress to back pain treatment and recovery. From that foundation, your options can be directed and controlled for the better. Everyone’s experience with back pain is different, but most people want the same result. With some effort, each person can pursue being pain-free and enjoy a return to an active life.
