Long-term Freedom From Pain: Non-Drug Chiropractic Therapy

Your Health

Did you know that lower back pain is one of the leading reasons why people are prescribed opioids? Opioids are not only a bad long-term strategy for managing pain, but almost half of all U.S. opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opioid. Try chiropractic first!

Chiropractors like Dr. Sell should be your first resource, on the frontline for pain management. During National Chiropractic Month, learn more about drug-free management of pain through proper chiropractic care.

What causes pain?

Pain is caused by nerves detecting damage, and transmitting information about the damage to the brain. When it comes to musculoskeletal pain, the root cause can be misalignment of the skeleton, which puts uneven and unnatural pressure on joints, muscles, and other tissues. This can cause inflammation, uneven wear on your joints, interfere with proper circulation, and limit mobility. All of these contribute to more pain signals to the brain, and can get worse, causing further damage – and further pain.

Fortunately, damage from misalignment can be treated or reduced, which then lowers or even in some cases eliminates the pain altogether.

How do chiropractic adjustments treat pain?

Chiropractic adjustments correct the misalignment that is putting pressure on the joint and causing the pain. Depending on the severity of the misalignment, there may be few or many adjustments needed to accomplish the most effective correction.

Dr. Sell gives new patients a full exam, customizes a treatment plan for each unique situation, and outlines a recommended therapy protocol before any adjustment. Typically, patients begin with somewhat more frequent adjustments, and the frequency is reduced as their health returns to normal. Long-term patients usually come in for a “tune-up” periodically, to correct or compensate for damage caused by poor posture, “sleeping wrong,” incorrect working ergonomics, or other repeated bad habits.

What is involved in an adjustment?

Chiropractors use a variety of techniques to realign the spine and other joints. These may include various instruments, or manual manipulation of joints by hand. Dr. Sell often uses what is called an Impulse Adjusting Instrument, which provides subtle, small adjustments with more precise, measured control than typical manual adjustments. This allows for gentle realignment and spinal manipulation without “pops” or “cracks.”

Is chiropractic safe?

Major healthcare groups have published guidelines to encourage patients with common musculoskeletal conditions to try non-drug treatments first, including chiropractic:

• In 2017, the American College of Physicians (ACP) updated its guidelines for the treatment of acute and chronic low back pain to recommend first using noninvasive, non-drug treatments—including spinal manipulation—before resorting to over-the-counter and prescription drugs. 
• The Joint Commission, which accredits every major U.S. hospital, recognized the value of non-drug approaches in 2015 by adding chiropractic to its pain management standard.
• The Department of Defense/Veterans Administration 2017 guideline for the treatment of low back pain includes spinal manipulation as a non-drug, noninvasive option.

In addition, more than 35 million patients undergo chiropractic treatment each year, and report being highly satisfied on numerous surveys. For low back pain, chiropractors are the highest rated practitioners, above physical therapists, specialist physicians, and primary care doctors.

If you are suffering from low back pain or other joint pain, get effective treatment for the root cause of the pain, rather than masking or managing it long-term with prescription opioids or other drugs.

At Sell Chiropractic, we are your front line for pain relief, and would be happy to talk to you about your long-term, non-drug options.

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Dr. Mark Sell is a licensed, experienced chiropractor serving the Huntington, Indiana area since 1986. His practice continually strives to provide a friendly and comfortable atmosphere, offering affordable high-quality chiropractic care that includes treatment protocols tailored to meet your individual needs.

Key facts and figures provided by the The American Chiropractic Association. https://www.acatoday.org/education-events/national-chiropractic-health-month/campaign-toolkit/nchm-key-facts-and-figures/