Non-Surgical Treatment of Misalignments of Joints

One can only imagine the scenario: an ambitious marathon runner wakes up early in the morning, gets her coffee to gel fueled up, and goes running to practice for a competition in 6 months. However, suddenly she feels a sharp pain in her lower back. At first, she brushes it off and continues jogging, thinking that she will get used to it and that it was only a brief moment of pain-all she is focused on for now is the $60,000 grand prize offered to the first place marathon winner. However, 3 months pass and the pain gets worse. The runner starts to feel lethargic and has trouble with daily tasks such as making her favorite chocolate chip pancakes. What is going on? The runner seems to have chronic back pain. Chronic back pain can be caused by poor lifting techniques, weekend warfare, or sitting for long periods of time. Fortunately, however, it can be prevented and even treated by highly trained chiropractors through several methods.
In a game of truth or dare a small and slender person might be dared to pick up a 50-lb dumbbell. Out of fear of looking weak, the person lifts it up with full force without warming up. The result? The person strains his back. This common anecdote illustrates the point that one cause of chronic back injury is improper bending and lifting. According to Dan McMackin, one must not lift objects that weigh more than 20% of his or her body weight. In this case, the petite, fragile person who attempted the dare must have not weighed more than 100 lbs; therefore, the 50-lb dumbbell was too heavy and the person could have taken only one possible measure: CHICKEN OUT! However, if someone were able to lift something, knees must be bent and the back must be straight. The person must not pivot, turn, or twist while lifting. Incorrect lifting is one of many commonplace activities that lead to a throbbing back.
In addition to lifting objects incorrectly, another cause of back injury is weekend warfare. A lot of people, especially the elderly, might engage in a weekend basketball or golf game just to "feel young again." Even though such people think they are athletes, they don't train like experts and as a result their spines suffer. Tackling those mountainous "Honey Do" lists at home can also pave the way for spinal discomfort; cleaning out the garage, sweeping the floor, or bending over for hours while gardening can be just as hard on one's back as a strenuous football game. The only way to prevent back injuries from these weekend battles is by exercising. Stretching and strengthening the core muscles can make daily tasks and voluntary activities a lot less painful. However, enduring difficult tasks is not the only cause of back pain.
Arduous tasks such as lifting weights or bending over for prolonged time periods can lead to torturous back discomfort. However, back pain can just as well be caused by doing the opposite: being idle. People tend to sit almost all day: at work, while driving, and in front of the TV. Apparently, this makes the spinal cord hungry and cranky. This is because the spine contains spongy discs that cushion the vertebrae- when we move, fluid circulates through these discs, which normally have poor blood supply. Therefore, by sitting still, the discs are deprived of nutrition, causing stress on the vertebrae. Even though sitting is inevitable, the back problems resulting from it can fortunately be thwarted from arising. One way to fend off these injuries is by getting up to move at least once every 20 minutes to get the blood circulating. The person can set a reminder on the computer or phone to get up and stretch or simply walk around. However, if a person can't get up for any reason, such as while driving, he or she can simply sit straight; the more someone leans, the more pressure there is on the discs of the spine. In addition, the person must remove anything from the back pockets, as these objects can misalign the spine.
Apparently, there is a plethora of preventive measures that can ensure one's safety. However, if the back pain gets severe to the point where it could indicate a disease, one might seek help from a chiropractor. Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of misalignments of joints. Before proceeding to treatment, chiropractors first take a medical history, perform a physical examination, and may conduct some diagnosis tests to determine if treatment is appropriate. If they proceed to treatment, one way they can proceed is through spinal manipulation. Commonly known as chiropractic adjustment, this involves a high-velocity, short-lever arm thrust that is applied to abnormal vertebra. This helps restore proper alignment and range of motion. Chiropractors can also treat back pain via mobilization. Unlike spinal manipulation, this involves low-velocity stretching of the muscles and joints in order to increase mobility. If both forms of treatment are inappropriate, chiropractors might simply proceed to exercise rehabilitation. If one can simply engage in a more active lifestyle, this can strengthen muscles and joints and can increase blood circulation to the intervertebral discs. Overall, back pain seems burdensome. However, a visit to the chiropractor along with some determination can lead to successful treatment.
In conclusion, chronic back pain is an ubiquitous problem. Like most physiological issues, back pain can ruin people's lives. For instance, the marathon runner probably lost her chance at winning the $60,000 grand prize after the devastating news about her condition. When life gives lemons, one can make delicious lemonade- however, chronic back pain can make the lemonade taste sour. Nonetheless, one can take several preventive measures to ensure that the lemonade remains palatable. If, at all, the lemonade gets very sour, one might have to visit the chiropractor. Just like how sour lemonade can be sweetened, back pain can be successfully overcome.