Back Pain Doctor Annapolis, MD
Regardless of age, back pain is a problem that affects many people, as a back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic is very familiar with. You do not have to be elderly or have recently sustained an injury to suffer from back pain. You can be perfectly healthy and develop back pain as a result of your job or lifestyle. Afflicting many people throughout the country, complications for back pain impact how people work and live. It can disrupt daily life by preventing individuals from being able to enjoy or take part in their favorite activities. When back pain becomes so persistent that you can’t ignore it, it might be time to make an appointment with a trained and experienced back pain doctor who can examine your condition and its causes. Your back pain could potentially worsen if you ignore it for too long, so seek treatment when it becomes difficult to manage or the pain has lasted for a long period of time. The earlier you can resolve issues associated with your back pain, the more manageable it will be later on.
Back pain relief is possible if you receive the right care and treatment from a doctor that you can trust. When you have chronic pain in your upper or lower back, go to a doctor who specializes in treating conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system. Doctors who are knowledgeable about chiropractic care can educate you about treatment options that differ from conventional treatments like surgery, which can be costly and come with multiple risks. If you are having trouble providing relief for your back pain or injury, you may want to talk to a chiropractor who has had years of experience treating patients through state-of-the-art chiropractic techniques, such as one at Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic.
HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT HELP ME?
Chiropractic care may not be ideal for every person or health issue, but it is worth seeing if it’s beneficial for your specific health issue. To see if chiropractic care is a good option for you and your particular condition, meet with a back pain doctor to learn more about the full benefits. Don’t assume that it is not suitable for you based on your condition. Find a chiropractor who has extensive experience treating a wide range of health issues. Talk to a chiropractor and discuss your health history to see what treatment options you may benefit the most from.
For back pain and injuries in particular, a chiropractor often recommends spinal manipulation or adjustments. Spinal adjustments are done by adjusting the vertebrae in specific locations to improve the spine’s alignment. Through regular, non-surgical adjustments, the pressure in the joints can be relieved and your mobility can be increased over time.
Patients may be concerned about the cracking or popping noises heard during adjustments, and may be hesitant to try this method of treatment. The sound occurs because of gas bubbles in the joints, such as when a person cracks their knuckles. To prevent any harm to the patient, chiropractors ask patients to breathe and relax their body so they are ready for an adjustment.
COMMON BACK PAIN ISSUES
Back pain issues come in many forms. Many patients often report pain that feels like soreness, stiffness, burning, or throbbing sensations. Moderate to severe back pain should be evaluated by a back pain doctor. Pain can be caused by tense muscle, poor posture, repetitive movements, or lifting heavy objects. This all puts excessive stress and pressure on the muscles and joints. High impact injuries can also cause damage and result in torn ligaments. Some common causes of back pain include:
- Fractures
- Muscle strain
- Bulging/ruptured disc
- Arthritis
CONTACT AN EXPERIENCED CHIROPRACTOR
If you are someone who suffers from back pain, targeted chiropractic care may be a good solution that works for you. There are many types of treatment that a chiropractor may suggest for you, such as spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, ultrasound, and diet and exercise programs. You may be able to relieve your back pain with the help of a reputable chiropractor who has successfully helped many patients. Those who want to try other forms of care to promote a healthy lifestyle and wellness can rely on chiropractic care to bring a sense of relief. Schedule an appointment with an experienced and trusted back pain doctor to learn more about possible treatment options.
HOW TO PREVENT BACK PAIN AT HOME
In addition to getting treatment from a MD back pain doctor in Annapolis, you can take steps to alleviate your back pain at home. A back pain doctor may give you at-home exercises to do outside of your sessions in the chiropractic clinic so that you can better manage your symptoms. Following these exercises and tips can help treat pain in between sessions. It also serves to help you see results from your treatments more quickly. Simple changes in your habits can go a long way to help you become healthier. Here are a few lifestyle changes you can make:
- Practice Good Posture: If you slouch in your chair at work sometimes, you’re not alone. Slouching is a common bad habit that many people have. However, over time, bad posture can do a number on your back. When you have poor posture, it can put stress on your spine, resulting in pain. To prevent back pain, be more mindful of your posture. Being more aware of your body and how you carry yourself can help you avoid bad posture. Always sit up straight with your shoulders pulled back. For extra support, try putting a small pillow behind your back. It may take a while to get used to, but putting in the time to correct your posture throughout the day can greatly reduce the tension and stiffness in your muscles.
- Lose Weight: If you’re currently overweight, you may be more likely to suffer back pain. This is because extra weight can put pressure on your spine and joints. If you lose weight by cutting your calories and increasing your exercise, you may get relief from your back pain. A chiropractor can create a nutritional plan so that you can maintain a healthy diet to achieve weight loss.
- Improve Your Lifting Technique: Whether you’re lifting weights or a small box, it’s important to do so correctly. Oftentimes, people don’t pay enough attention to their form or fail to correct it when they do their workout routine. If you don’t have proper form, you could injure your back. You are much more prone to injury if you have bad form when you exercise. When you lift an object, position yourself close to the object, bend your knees and lift with your leg muscles.
- Stop Smoking: Smoking can damage many parts of your body, including your back. The chemicals in tobacco can cause the discs between the vertebrae in your spine to wear down faster. If you make the effort to quit, you can save your back.
- Change Your Shoes: If you suffer from back pain, a chiropractor may recommend changing your footwear. If you wear shoes that are too tight or don’t provide enough arch support, they can strain your back. You may also consider putting orthotic insoles in your shoes to improve your back pain.
- Reduce Your Stress: It turns out that excessive stress can have a negative impact on your back. If you can’t control the stress in your life, it can eventually lead to tension in your back. If you make some lifestyle changes, you can reduce your stress levels, ultimately alleviating your back pain. For example, try starting out every morning with a relaxing activity, like meditation or yoga. You should also eat a nutritious diet and get plenty of exercise throughout the day. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to talk to a trusted family member or friend about it.
Back Pain Infographic
BACK PAIN AND STRESS OR TENSION
Unrelenting waves of stress can wreak havoc on the human body. Overtime, huge amounts of stress lowers the immune system’s ability to combat illness, making the body more vulnerable to injury or illness. By receiving chiropractic adjustments, the uncomfortable symptoms related to stress can be reduced. Adjustments to the spine can soothe the nervous system, allowing it to function optimally. Those who tend to have more stress than others may exhibit symptoms including:
- Back pain
- Tension headaches
- Muscle tightness
- Neck pain
- Fatigue
The spinal column is the communication center of the nervous system. Messages from the brain go down the spinal cord and get sent to numerous parts of the body. Because of this vital role, chiropractic adjustments on and around the spinal cord can reduce common stress symptoms.
When someone is dealing with immense stress, their muscles contract and tense up. People may not realize that they are clenching their jaw, hunching their shoulders, or tensing their neck. When we are caught up in stress, we may not realize that our body is trying to tell us something that needs our attention. Chronic stress puts pressure and weighs heavier on bones.
Eventually, the added tension may cause the body to become misaligned. Furthermore, too much stress can cause dysfunction in nerves, resulting in sharp pains or numbness in certain areas of the body. The treatment of adjusting the spine relseases muscle tension, relaxes the body, allows for proper circulation of blood and nutrients, and calms the fight-or-flight response.
Giving your body nutritious foods is also an influential component of managing stress and tension. Your chiropractor may suggest eating certain foods more often or taking supplements for vitamins to provide a more relaxed state for your system. Food items that tend to decrease stress include:
- Poultry
- Fish
- Fruits
- Nuts
- Vegetables
- Whole grains
- Healthy fats
CALL A BACK PAIN DOCTOR TODAY
Patients who are seeking alternatives to traditional treatments for back pain or other spine related issues may find that chiropractic treatment and alternative therapies can be suitable for them. Chiropractors use their hands to find and fix the source of pain in the body. Unlike other forms of treatment, chiropractic care utilizes a holistic approach to improve health and wellness, focusing on your overall health and not just one particular symptom.
If you are interested in receiving chiropractic care, call a back pain doctor in Annapolis, Maryland from Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today!
Myths About Back Pain Treatment
Back pain can impact anyone of any age, gender or size. Some people go most of their lives without back pain while others experience it almost daily. A back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD, can help identify the source of your pain and provide you with the right treatment recommendations. Whether your pain is chronic or acute, here are a few common myths about back pain you should know about.
Myth: It’s Always Best To Sit Up Straight
Good posture is something everyone should aim to have all the time, right? Not so fast. While good posture is important, sitting too straight without moving for too long can strain your back and lead to back pain.
While it’s never good to slouch in an effort to relieve back strain associated with sitting straight for too long, it is a good idea to take frequent breaks from sitting throughout the day. If you work at a desk, set an alarm on your phone that reminds you to get up, stretch and walk around every 15-20 minutes. You may even find some back pain relief by standing while working for part of the day.
Myth: Bed Rest Is the Best Solution for Back Pain
Many people think that they should rest in bed after straining their backs or experiencing back pain for any reason. However, being too sedentary for too long could make your problem even worse. If you’re experiencing back pain, come see us at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic. We’ll figure out what’s causing your pain and give you recommendations for how to minimize it.
Myth: Lifting Heavy Things Will Always Lead to Back Pain
Are you the type of person who avoids weightlifting because you’re afraid you’ll trigger back pain? If so, it’s important to realize that lifting properly can be very helpful for building core strength and improving your overall health. The key is to make sure you lift with your back straight instead of bent over. Use your legs to lift the heavy object while flexing your core muscles to keep your back straight and well-supported.
These are just a few of the most common myths surrounding back pain. If you’re tired of dealing with sudden or chronic back discomfort, it’s wise to visit a back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD. Here at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, we know how to identify common and unusual causes of back discomfort. We can also provide you with chiropractic adjustments, exercises and other treatments to help relieve your back pain.
Six Questions To Ask Your Back Pain Doctor
What’s Causing My Back Pain?
It’s sometimes difficult to pin down the exact cause of back pain; 80% of back pain is from unknown causes. That being said, your back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD, should have some ideas about how to treat your pain from your medical records, your account of when you noticed the back pain and an initial exam.
What Will Make My Back Pain Worse?
As Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic doctors could tell you, some common ways people make their back pain worse include:
- Using heating pads or taking hot showers — heat can make inflammation worse, leading to more back pain. Use ice instead.
- Lack of physical activity — rest for the first 24-48 hours after you start feeling pain. Then slowly resume your normal activity level. Start doing low-impact exercise like bicycling, swimming or using an elliptical machine; avoid high-impact exercise, as it can exacerbate your back pain.
- Sitting on an exercise ball instead of an office chair — this can strengthen your back muscles, but sitting without back support can result in poor posture, leading to more pain. Alternate between the two for 15-20 minutes at a time.
Can Stress Be a Contributing Factor?
Your back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD could tell you that stress is a major factor in most back pain. When you’re feeling stressed, you tend to clench certain muscle groups. You’ll hear people say things like, “I carry my stress in my back.” That means their back muscles are tightening up when they’re feeling stress.
What Are the Different Treatment Options?
There are a variety of treatment modalities that your Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic team may use. These include physical therapy, chiropractic and corrective exercise. The goal is to help you avoid opioid pain medicine and surgery.
What Should I Be Doing at Home To Reduce My Back Pain?
Your back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD may suggest a series of exercises you could do at home to help your back pain. Other things to try at home include sleeping on a firm mattress, squatting when you need something off the floor and lifting with your legs instead of your back.
Is Medication Required? Are There Other Alternative Treatments?
Medication may be an option in some cases of back pain, usually muscle relaxers. Chiropractic and physical therapy often go hand-in-hand to try to avoid unnecessary medication. However, you may benefit from taking an over-the-counter NSAID such as acetaminophen, aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT AT YOUR CONSULTATION APPOINTMENT
If you are experiencing back pain, you should call our Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic back pain doctors in Annapolis, MD as soon as possible to set up an initial appointment. Your first appointment is a consultation, during which you and your chiropractor will talk about the signs and symptoms you’re currently experiencing, individual and family medical history, diet, exercise regimen, as well as other topics associated with your condition. Bringing essential clinical details with you will better enable your chiropractor to help you. When chatting with your practitioner, ask questions and be open with the concerns that you have. After your preliminary discussion, your chiropractic practitioner may choose to get an x-ray or MRI to give an accurate diagnosis.
As soon as your chiropractic practitioner has all the necessary details, they will develop a treatment strategy customized to your needs. The objective of the plan is to alleviate your pain, enhance your mobility, as well as protect against future injury. If your chiropractor feels they have collected adequate information and also there is enough time following the analysis, they might do a realignment during this appointment.
WHAT DOES A TREATMENT PLAN CONSIST OF?
Chiropractic specialists are trained to realign the body using many different techniques. Your chiropractor will use one or more methods to gently manipulate your back and other parts of your body depending on your diagnosis. You may lay on a flat cushioned table or a table that bends. They may use certain equipment as part of your treatment. Following your appointment you may be sore, tired or have a headache. The majority of people who are treated by our back pain doctors in Annapolis, MD experience immediate relief, however, for some it takes some time for their pain to go into remission.
HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF YOUR TREATMENT PLAN
As part of your therapy strategy, your chiropractic specialist may assign you exercises to do between sessions. These exercises will enhance your strength and mobility, reduce your pain and decrease the possibility of future injury. Your chiropractor may recommend various other treatments such as altering your diet, changing your workout routine or exercises you perform, receiving massage therapy, and taking supplements. Utilizing a holistic strategy that addresses all areas of your life can improve the outcomes for your entire body and also enhance your quality of life.
WHY YOU SHOULD SEE A CHIROPRACTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
What can seem like a minor pain can turn into a chronic condition. Without realizing it, our body makes small adjustments to avoid pain, which can cause problems in other parts of the body. For example, if you suffer from back pain your body may adjust how you stand or walk, which can eventually create knee pain. Even better, most people experience terrific relief after their first session. You should not wait one more day to start feeling better. There is still time to treat your back pain so you can get relief and resume your life freely again. Call our team at Mid Atlantic Spine Rehab & Chiropractic care to see one of our back pain doctors in Annapolis, MD and receive the care you are worthy of.
BACK PAIN DOCTOR ANNAPOLIS, MD
No one wants to be in pain but if you are having back pain then it is time to see a back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD for help. Back pain can happen suddenly or slowly over time. There are plenty of reasons as to why you could have back pain and that can make it difficult to move freely throughout your day.
Our team at Mid Atlantic Spine Rehab & Chiropractic know that back pain can be caused by many different types of injuries. The most common ones are sprains and strings, herniated discs, or even fractured vertebra. No matter the reason for your pain seeing a doctor to help is important to get onto the road to recovery.
SPRAINS AND STRAINS
When it comes to common back injuries spraining or straining your back is by far the most common type. These injuries can often happen suddenly but they can happen slowly over time as well. When you strain your back it is often from the act of twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon too far. A sprain normally happens as a result of a fall or sudden twist.
Symptoms of sprains or strains are similar and include:
- A pop at the time of the injury
- Muscle spasms or cramps
- Difficulting bending, walking, or standing
- Pain that increases with movement
Typically you can treat these types of injuries at home with rest. However, if the pain doesn’t subside or grows worse it is time to see a doctor about the pain.
HERNIATED OR BULGING DISCS
Another common back injury is a herniated or bulging disc. Disc are the rubbery cushions between your vertebrae. Think of a disc like a jelly donut, it has a harder exterior and a squishy middle. When the softer center pushes past the exterior through a tear it can cause painful problems like:
- Arm or leg pain
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle weakness
There are times that surgery will be needed to fix this problem. However there are other treatment options your doctor may talk to you about such as rest, medication, or even physical therapy.
FRACTURE VERTEBRA
As we grow older the bones in the body can start to grow weaker. This kind of injury is often found in the elderly or those who have a bone disease. However, this type of injury can also be caused by trauma to the spine from a fall or accident. Some of the symptoms for this kind of injury are:
- Acute or chronic back pain
- Lost height
- Hunched posture
Treatment is going to depend on your injury type. It can range from surgery to physical therapy to help heal your spine the best possible way.
BACK PAIN FAQS
Back pain is an incredibly common condition that affects nearly 65 million Americans. No matter how healthy or active you are, back pain can set in as a result of something as sleeping in an abnormal position. Because of how common it is, many questions surround this condition, leading to increased confusion.
WHAT CAN CAUSE BACK PAIN?
Easily one of the most common causes for back pain is injury. Depending on whether your back pain is acute or chronic, there could be a variety of causes. For acute back pain, things like car accidents or sports injuries can cause sharp pains in your back. Chronic back pain can be caused by the frequent use of one specific muscle, such as twisting at work. A back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD can help you find the cause of your back pain and work out a treatment plan to fix it.
IS BACK PAIN TREATABLE?
Another common question many people have is whether or not their back pain is treatable. The first thing you should do when you begin to deal with back pain is to contact a doctor. Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic has specialists that can evaluate your back pain and help you treat it to get you back on your feet. For back pain that comes from repetitive use, getting a chiropractic adjustment may be just the thing you need. No matter where your pain comes from, there is hope for treatment. Talk to a back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD to get started on a treatment plan.
HOW CAN BACK PAIN BE PREVENTED?
Fortunately, back pain can be prevented in most cases. While accidents are relatively unavoidable, you can minimize the likelihood of your back hurting from wear and tear. One of the best things you can do to minimize back pain is to exercise regularly. Keeping your body strong will help prevent strain on your spine. To help lower the risk of lower back pain, improve your posture when standing and sitting, including with lumbar support. If you need to lift something heavy, it may be a good idea to support your back. If ever you feel sudden pain in your back, don’t hesitate to call a back pain doctor in Annapolis, MD. The professionals at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic can help you learn how to protect your spine throughout your daily life, no matter what your routine looks like.
No matter the reason for your back pain, getting it checked out is often in your best interest. No one should live with back pain as this can cause long-term issues with other parts of the body. If you or someone you know is suffering from back pain don’t hesitate to find a back pain doctor in Annapolis, Maryland today to see what we can do for you.
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