By Ken Freedman, DC
Anyone who has ever suffered with low back pain will tell you it is not to be taken lightly. It can range from an ache that frustrates and limits you from doing the things that are important to you, to a crippling, disabling pain that holds your life hostage. In my 40 years as a chiropractor caring for thousands of people, most of my patients sought help for complaints of back pain. Most of them received fast, longstanding relief, even after drugs, physical therapy and surgery failed them. Why? Because our approach is less about treating the pain, and more about detecting, locating and reducing interferences to their body’s ability to heal and function better. Back pain sufferers love chiropractic care because it is highly effective, drug and surgery free, and extremely safe.
What contributes to back pain?
- Abnormal physical stress. Placing a wallet in the back pocket and sitting on it will misalign the hips, disrupting proper pelvic and spinal alignment. High heeled shoes distort the alignment of the foot which continues throughout the entire body. Most people with perpetual back problems have problems with the alignment of their feet. Both need to be addressed. Poor posture is another offender. Be conscious of how you are standing and sitting. Since sitting is 50-75% more stressful than standing, select a chair that is fully adjustable to your body and also provides support to the curve in your lower back. Sleep on a supportive mattress with a pillow that doesn’t strain the neck.
- Excess body weight. Every extra pound a person carries translates into four pounds of extra stress on the lower back. So, if your spine is out of alignment, the excess body weight on it is like hammering a bent nail. If you feel your body could benefit from shedding some extra pounds, get on a weight loss regimen. This will help take a great deal of stress off of your back, control flare-ups and lower your risk of obesity-related diseases, such as arthritis, cardiovascular, liver and cancer. Restrict your intake of the “three stooges” commonly found in the American diet: wheat, diary and processed sugars. In high concentrations they contribute to obesity and are highly inflammatory – making you more sensitive to stress and movement.
- Misalignment of the spine. This irritates the delicate nerves that carry energy to your body. Muscles and joints work less effectively. They are more prone to injury and don’t recover as fast or as fully. Specific chiropractic adjustments to the misaligned vertebrae reduce nerve irritation. Back muscles and joints heal faster and work much better. It’s natural, feels great and in most cases, corrects the underlying cause of back pain.
Whether you have been suffering with a back problem, or would like to avoid developing one in the future, the best thing you can do is to schedule a chiropractic checkup. It’s relatively fast, painless and non-invasive. Most insurance plans offer coverage for chiropractic services related to back pain. You can also use dollars from your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account.
Your back is the lifeline to your body. Keep it functioning well, and your back will perform much better. You’ll control flare-ups of pain, move better, and age more gracefully and independently.
For more information, or to consult with me at no cost or obligation, call 732-254-6011, or email Ken@FreedmanChiropractic.com. Freedman Chiropractic is located at Brier Hill Court D-6, East Brunswick 08816-3335. Morning, afternoon and evening hours available. Convenient parking.
