Back Pain Treatment, Alternative Style
by Anna Hart
Filed under Treatment of Back Pain
Back Pain strikes when you least expect it. It strikes young and old, physically fit and decrepit. It is so common that Back Pain Treatment is cited as the most common reason for doctor appointments.
Back Pain Treatment can be as simple as alternating ice compresses with heat compresses. It can be as complex as invasive back surgery.
Alternative Low Back Pain Treatment
The term “alternative treatment” covers a wide range of treatments. It also elicits a wide range of feelings in the medical community. Feelings aside, however, alternative low Back Pain Treatment is a growing field. It relies less on careful, clinical study, and more on anecdotal evidence, but who is to say the results are therefore useless? Anecdotal evidence is based on, or consists of, reports or observations of observers. Their observations may have validity.
Most Reputable Alternative Low Back Pain Treatment
Alternative low Back Pain Treatments are numerous, but the following are usually considered the most reputable.
1. Chiropractic: Chiropractors provide alternative low Back Pain treatment by adjusting the spine. To do this, they employ spinal manipulation. Chiropractors’ goals are to ease pressure on the nervous system by aligning the spine more properly. As they manipulate the spine, they try to restore mobility to the joints. They apply controlled force into joints they believe have restricted movement. Chiropractic is the most popular form of alternative low Back Pain Treatment.
2. Acupuncture: The ancient Chinese belief that an energy called Qi (Chi) flows throughout the body is the basis for this alternative low Back Pain treatment. When something happens to hinder the flow of that energy, such as twisting the back while moving heavy objects, the body can become ill. Acupuncturists use needles to unblock the flow of Qi so that the body can heal itself.
3. Shiastsu (Acupressure): Ancient Japanese took the Chinese belief of Qi and developed this non-invasive form of alternative low Back Pain Treatment. The philosophy is similar, but to unblock the energy flow, shiatsu uses pressure instead of needles. Finger pads and thumb pads are the most commonly used “tools” in this treatment.
4. Prolotherapy: This alternative low Back Pain treatment is sometimes referred to as non-surgical ligament reconstruction. “Prolo” is short for proliferation, as it is believed this treatment will cause new ligament tissue to grow and strengthen the back. Sugar water is injected into the point where ligament or tendon meets bone. It is believed that a localized inflammation results, increasing blood and nutrient supply, thereby stimulating the tissue to repair itself.
5. Massage therapy: This may be the least “offensive” to the medical community of all alternative low Back Pain Treatments. Massage therapy can increase blood flow and circulation. It can decrease muscle tension, reducing pain. It can improve healing sleep. Massage therapy can provide Back Pain Relief for many common back conditions.
CAUTION: If your Back Pain does not resolve itself within 2 weeks, or if it is greatly affecting everyday activities, please see your doctor. The information in this article is for educational purposes only.
