Alternative Treatments to Back Pain

Back pain is a common distressing medical condition that can affect an individual's quality of life. There are a variety of different treatment options available to patients with back pain. Most of these include physical therapy and medical treatment. Surgical treatment options are also available, but may not be for everyone.

For individuals who do not wish to undergo surgical treatments or medical therapy, alternative and complementary treatments are now available. In this article, we shall take a brief look at these different treatments.

Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic treatment involves the application of various maneuvers, in an attempt to realign the spine. It is believed that a variety of different back problems arise due to poor alignment of the spinal column. Studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care, when performed on a regular basis, can help improve a patient's range of movement, reducing pain in the spinal column. In fact, many believe that chiropractic care can be as effective as physical therapy sessions. The risks are minimal, and the maneuvers and manipulations are performed by experts who have the required accreditation in chiropractic management.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is based on the principle that stimulating various trigger points in the body can help relax the muscles and reduce pain. It is used to treat a wide range of clinical conditions and seems to have a positive effect in the management of lower back pain. The procedure itself can be slightly painful, as tiny needles are inserted into strategic points on the back. However, patients who have undergone this therapy have reported a great improvement in their symptoms.

Massage Therapy

Many patients experience lower back pain due to the tightness of muscles that surround the spinal column. Physical therapy therefore plays an important part in the management of lower back pain. In particular, massage therapy is helpful. By relieving tightness in the para-spinal muscles, massage helps to increase the range of movement of the spinal column. When a spasm stops, the back is more mobile and the pain that patients experience can reduce significantly. Massage therapy seems to work best when combined with other treatments.

Relaxation Therapy

Some patients find that performing regular relaxation therapies such as yoga and meditation can help them overcome lower back pain. It is unclear what the exact scientific evidence behind this phenomenon is. Some experts believe that this may be attributed to "mind over matter."

Conclusion

There are a variety of different alternative treatments available to assist patients with managing their lower back pain. Success varies between patients, as the course of treatment depends upon the patient's wishes, and whether they want to pursue conventional methods or explore alternative avenues.