When should I see a chiropractor for back symptoms?

Like many health related conditions, the earlier you seek treatment the more likely you are to experience a favorable outcome (pain relief). Many patients first seek chiropractic care after a prolonged episode of low back pain, usually lasting greater than one to two weeks. Back pain following a personal injury, such as a car accident, will also prompt a visit to the chiropractor's office. It is widely accepted, that acute low back pain will resolve on its own within three months. That said, a chiropractor may be able to help you get out of pain faster and improve your ability to move more freely and comfortably, as your body tries to heal itself. If you suffer from chronic low back pain, greater than three months, chiropractic care as an alternative or adjunct therapy to pain medication and muscle relaxers, may help you experience at least temporary relief, lasting anywhere from hours to days. That may not seem like much to some, but it could mean a lot if you are in pain all the time.

5 most dangerous words, "maybe it will go away".

The client who comes early after an injury or accident gets the best results. If it makes good sense why the pain is there, treatment can begin after a full exam is done.

Many people see a Chiropractor after many other things have been tried. My rule of thumb is always least invasive first.

Chiropractic care is safe and effective. Do not put it off till tomorrow.

Our spine is composed of 26 freely moveable vertebrae in our spine, which rely on the one above and below it for proper support and motion. We have 3 sections of our spine that we refer to:

• cervical region (neck)
• thoracic region (mid back)
• Lumbar region (low back)

These areas have their own special curves and shape, which are for supporting our bodies. 

Because we walk upright we need the ability to be able to bend, turn, flex, and extend. Along with the muscles strength our spine gives us the ability to move in different directions. Sometimes, when we move too much or too quick or place a load on the spine that our body can't handle. Injury is the result. This can be felt as pain, spasm, numbness, tingling, etc.

It is a good rule of thumb that if you are feeling a symptom in your back to get checked by a chiropractor. Feeling "symptoms" is not normal. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." 

After seeing a chiropractor to help fix the cause of the symptoms. They may put you on a maintenance or wellness plan where you are scheduled to come in once every month or 3 months for a check-up. To make sure everything is working and functioning properly. This will keep your symptoms away and allow you to feel and function at your best.