I think we can all agree that back pain in Maple Grove is no fun. From 18 years old to 95 years old, no one likes the thought of suffering from back pain. The unfortunate reality for many of us, is that back pain becomes a part of our daily routine at some point in our life. In fact, many of us have seemed to simply accept the fact that pain is inevitable as we age and there’s little that can be done to slow this process down. Though back pain in Maple Grove is certainly more common as we age, there are a number of common myths and misconceptions that surround the treatment of our symptoms.
So, if you’re interested in discovering some of the pitfalls you should avoid when dealing with back pain as you get older, continue reading this article.
Myth #1: Surgery will fix my back pain and I should do it as soon as possible.
Many think that surgery is the ultimate answer for their chronic back pain symptoms. Many of us have tried medications and injections without any change in our symptoms. Those of us with degenerative changes have been told that there’s nothing we can do to ease our pain. It can be easy to get frustrated, especially when the back pain or neck pain that we’re feeling starts to hinder our lifestyle and get in the way of things we like to do. In these cases, it’s tempting to jump to more invasive procedures like surgery as the only answer for our condition. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that roughly 20% of spinal fusions result in failed back surgery syndrome.
The truth is, there are a number of effective treatment methods that don’t rely on drugs and surgery. Lifestyle modification, exercise and stretching routines, physical therapy, and chiropractic treatment are all viable options to try before heading under the knife.
Start with easy activities and build up from there. Get your body moving by engaging in light physical activity and visit a maple grove chiropractor for a thorough evaluation of your spine. Often restoring motion to injured joints and tissues and removing pressure and irritation from nearby nerves can have a significantly positive impact on back pain.
Myth #2: When dealing with back pain in Maple Grove you should lay in bed all day and move as little as possible.
Prolonged bed rest sounds appealing when we don’t feel our best, but the thought behind it is outdated. There was a time when we thought that the best way for a joint to heal was to immobilize it. Though well intentioned, this approach proved to have a negative effect on healing times as well as healing outcomes.
When a joint is healing, it’s important that the injured structures receive the proper components for repair. When we continue to move, it aids in circulating the vital components our body needs for healing. Now it doesn’t mean that we we act like we aren’t injured at all, but rather that we simply modify some of our activities to allow our body to heal while remaining active and mobile.
A more effective approach to treatment after an injury is to:
- Modify our daily activities to reduce any additional stress to the injured area.
- Rest for short periods.
- Continue light exercise including range of motion exercises and low intensity movements.
- Consult a chiropractor for proper joint treatment to help tissues remodel properly.
Myth #3: Back pain is rarely serious and I can just ignore it.
While it’s true that some back pain symptoms are mild, it’s also true that many chronic or persistent conditions experienced later in life are the result of unaddressed previous symptoms. I see patients every day that have significant damage and changes to their spine that had love level pain that they ignored throughout the years. Unfortunately, choosing to do nothing when these first signs showed up earlier can lead to changes down the road that are much more difficult to treat and are limited in their healing potential due to irreversible changes.
Back pain may also be a sign of other conditions that are not musculoskeletal in nature. Kidney problems, hormonal imbalances, and gastrointestinal and reproductive system issues can all create back pain referral patterns. A simple exam and assessment can help determine the underlying cause of your symptoms and the best approach to treatment.
Myth #4: I should wear a back brace as much as possible if I want to recover faster.
Though back belts can offer some support and relief in the short term, they are not the long-term solution and can often prolong symptoms and hinder optimal healing. When the musculature of the back isn’t allowed to move properly it can alter the long term flexibility in the healed tissues. Continual use of a back belt or brace can also lead to weakened lower back and core muscles that become deconditioned over time.
Myth #5: I can just stretch and exercise my back and neck pain away.
We can all agree that stretching and exercise is good. Mobility, flexibility and strength are an integral part of healing. Just like a car that is out of alignment, you don’t fix it by driving it. You fix it, by correcting the underlying misalignment. Diving right into a physical therapy, exercise, or stretching routine may seem like the fastest way back to feeling great, but often rarely gets to the root of the problem. In fact, aggressive treatment options can often flare up symptoms and end up making things worse.
If you dealing with back pain in Maple Grove, visit with a qualified chiropractor for an evaluation of your spine that will focus on the mobility of each spinal segment. Often the muscle tightness, pain and weakness are the body's response to underlying joint dysfunction and nerve irritation. By removing interference the body can heal properly and the stretches and exercises will become even more effective.
How is chiropractic care effective for treatment in back pain in Maple Grove?
Check out these top reasons for seeking out chiropractic care.
- Pain relief
- Improved sleep and energy
- Strengthened immune system
- Improved mood
- Increased mobility
- Decreased muscle tightness
- Improved strength
- Increased agility
- Boosted cognitive performance
- Increased quality of life
At Total Spine Health and Injury Center, we’re committed to providing pain relief solutions through specific and effective chiropractic treatment. Through careful analysis we can identify the source of your pain and correct the underlying misalignments in your spine. There are natural, safe, and non-invasive ways to restore your back to optimal health and function.
Now’s the time to make a change. Contact our Maple Grove chiropractic office today to schedule an appointment and restore your health.