What Causes Back Pain?

Sometimes knowing the cause of back pain can be pretty straightforward especially if you have already been diagnosed with a certain medical condition (such as arthritis) or if you suffered a recent work or sports-related injury. Other times, the cause of back pain may not be as straightforward. Although we tend to think of back pain as only the result of injury or getting older, the truth is back pain can be contributed to a wide variety of factors. Some of these may include:

• An unhealthy diet. If you tend to eat a lot of processed, unhealthy foods high in fat paired with bad habits such as smoking, excessive drinking, or drugs, your chances of having back pain dramatically increase. Even for patients that have back pain due to injuries, it’s recommended to adjust your diet. Another factor could be remaining inactive for long periods of time. 
• Poor posture. Today it’s common to have an office and while this can be easier on your muscles as a whole, it’s also easy to practic bad posture. Slouching too much can contribute to back pain which is why you should practice proper posture as much as you can by sitting up straight. If you have a job that requires you to remain seated for eight hours of day, breaking up the routine with light exercises and stretches can help. 
• Not getting enough sleep. It’s easy to stay up late when there are so many distractions on our phones, but getting enough sleep on a consistent schedule can help reduce the chances of back pain. 
• Too much stress. Stress can be a big contributor to back pain or other physical woes. Even if it’s not the main culprit, your back pain doctor in Bowie, MD may recommend you find ways to eliminate stress. Such treatments may include deep-breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga, having more time for yourself and your family, etc. 

How Long Will Treatment Last?

Treatment can vary for every patient and a total recovery can take anywhere from a couple of sessions to several months. Your back pain doctor in Bowie, MD will help to create a plan during your first session, but understand that relief doesn’t always happen overnight. 

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Dealing with back pain can be a huge damper on your everyday routine no matter the severity. That’s why you should contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today! 

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who specializes in disorders that affect the musculoskeletal system. They know how to heal the body using chiropractic treatment methods and techniques that focus on spinal health. Their approach involves correcting issues impacting the spine, such as misalignments. Chiropractors go through many years of extensive training in order to become certified. 

What treatments does a chiropractor know? 

Popular chiropractic treatment methods are spinal decompression and manipulation. Spinal adjustments serve a variety of functions, such as reducing or eliminating pain, reducing inflammation, easing tension and soothing sore muscles. By aligning the spine, there is less pressure built up in the central nervous system, which contributes to pain and other issues. In addition to adjustments, other treatments a chiropractor knows are massage therapy, heat and ice therapy, physical therapy, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound therapy. 

Is chiropractic care safe for children and young adults? 

Chiropractic care is not just suitable for adults, but children as well. There are many types of chiropractic treatments, and some are tailored or modified for children. A child might need to see a chiropractor if they suffer a spinal injury due to an extracurricular activity such as gymnastics. In contrast to adults, children’s musculoskeletal systems are structured differently since they are still developing. It is better if a chiropractor treats a child who is experiencing back or neck issues while they are still young, before their symptoms get worse.  

Can I see a chiropractor if I am pregnant? 

It is generally safe to receive chiropractic care if you are pregnant. You should first consult with your OBGYN to see if it is appropriate to see a chiropractor. Factors such as your unique medical history and current health condition will determine if you can safely undergo regular chiropractic treatments and therapies. 

When should I see a chiropractor? 

If you notice pain that has not gone away for a long period of time, it may be good to see a chiropractor so that they can find the source of your pain. Whether you have been in a recent accident or are not sure what exactly caused your pain, a chiropractor can evaluate you and give a diagnosis.

If you are experiencing pain that is affecting your neuromuscular system, a visit to a qualified and experienced chiropractor in Annapolis MD at the Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic can be beneficial. You should not ignore your pain if it has not improved and if it prevents you from doing routine activities in your everyday life. Call a chiropractor to schedule an appointment so that you can live pain-free. 

First thing’s first, you won’t need to get undressed. This is one of the top frequently asked questions when it comes to chiropractors. Most of the time, you won’t need to take anything off when you go in for your adjustment. The only time clothing would need to be removed is if you are wearing something that is impeding your adjustments. For those who wear bras, this means that you can keep it on unless you are uncomfortable with it while getting adjusted. 

Thin Stretchy Fabrics Work Best

While you can leave your clothes on there are still some dos and dont’s when it comes to clothing. During your initial visit, your chiropractor will need to feel out any problems areas in order to determine the best action plan for you. A way to make this easy on them is to avoid bulky items like sweatshirts and jeans, and swap them out for something thinner like an activewear shirt or tee-shirt. As long as the clothing isn’t bulky or restrictive then you can typically get away with it. 

Fewer Layers 

Yes, during the winter we are told to layer up. However, on your trip to the chiropractor, you want to make sure you don’t have too many on. If anything gets between you and the area being worked on, your chiropractor can’t do their join in helping you get out of pain. 

Shorts or Pants over Skirts and Dresses 

Your adjustment may have you taking various positions. To ensure that you aren’t having to tug down a shirt or dress consider wearing shorts or pants. It will keep you from any embarrassment that could happen but also makes sure that you aren’t fighting fabric the whole time.  

Avoid Wearing Jewelry or Accessories

Bracelets, necklaces, watches, belts, and hats are best to be avoided at the chiropractic clinic. They can get in the way and make the adjustment less comfortable. Depending on the area being worked on, the jewelry can get tangled in your hair or just get in the way of the adjustment. With tables that drop down, the jewelry could get tugged down and create a new problem. 

The takeaway here is to dress casually. While it can’t always be avoided, take the time to change before seeing your chiropractor. If you or a loved one is looking for a chiropractor in Annapolis, Maryland consider the Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic team as your stop for all your needs. 

The truth is that just about anyone can benefit from seeking chiropractic care. Whether you have a serious injury or just want to incorporate the occasional session into your lifestyle, chiropractic care has plenty of benefits. In addition to helping with pain other benefits may include:

• Lowering blood pressure and increasing circulation. 
• Improving flexibility and balance. 
• Combating asthma and improving overall breathing. 
• Easing muscle stiffness and soreness. 

How Long Will Treatment Last?

Every patient is different and so treatment may depend upon your condition as well as how you respond. For example, a patient that just has some slight backache may find that one or two sessions do the trick while a patient with a severe injury may need weekly sessions spread out over a few months. Upon the completion of your first session, your chiropractor will have a treatment plan prescribed which usually includes an estimated number of sessions. Of course, this number isn’t set in stone and may increase or decrease. 

Will My Chiropractor Prescribe Other Treatments?

When working with a chiropractor in Annapolis, MD you might wonder if there are other treatments that can supplement your sessions. As a whole, this may vary, but a chiropractor may recommend other treatments such as take-home exercises as well as adopting a healthier diet. Finding ways to supplement your treatment can be very crucial and many patients find success with other avenues such as:

• Relieving stress. While we tend to think of back pain as only the result of a work-related injury or getting older, back pain can often be the result of stress. To alleviate stress, you can practice meditation, yoga, and deep-breathing exercises, pursue or adopt a hobby, work on your personal relationships, attend therapy, etc. 
• Practice good posture. Today, more and more jobs are adopting an office setting and while a swivel office chair may not seem as dangerous as a forklift or traversing a construction beam, it’s easy to start to slouch especially after a long workday. Having improper posture can be a huge detriment to your health. Instead, you will want to ensure that you sit up straight. 
• Get plenty of rest. For just about any health condition, a healthy diet paired with a healthy, consistent sleeping schedule appears to work wonders! Make sure you’re not only getting your recommended number of hours of sleep but that you’re also going to bed every night around the same time. 

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Enlisting the help of a chiropractor in Annapolis, MD can be a great boost to your overall physical and mental health. Contact Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic today!

Chiropractic care is a treatment that focuses on helping your body balance all of the systems from muscular, skeletal to neurological. Chiropractic care addresses how the systems work and function together so that they can address the issues at hand. Chiropractic care is typically considered to be a natural treatment, as it is nonsurgical, noninvasive but this does not make it any less medical treatment.

Who can benefit?

If you suffer from back and neck pain, joint pain, tingling in your joints or any other type of chronic pain, you can benefit from chiropractic care. A chiropractor is going to help you manage your pain levels, and figure out why that pain is being caused. A chiropractor in Annapolis MD is going to best know after assessing you how to help you. So if you’re interested in holistic health and wellness, chiropractic care is a nonpharmaceutical approach to healing yourself.

What is an adjustment?

In chiropractic care and adjustment otherwise known as spinal manipulation is a procedure where your chiropractor uses their hands, an instrument specialized for chiropractic care or a specialized table. With whatever instrument or tool they are using, they apply controlled force to an area of the body that is bothering you, or an area of the body that they have determined referred pain is coming from. With regular adjustments, you can correct spinal alignment and increase your body’s function. To most people adjustments are great.

What should I expect my first time?

Your very first time in a chiropractor you are going to undergo a very thorough examination, where you give your chiropractor your medical history, undergo a physical exam where they are going to pay attention to your spine and other tests such as x-rays if needed. Your chiropractor in Annapolis MD is then going to listen to your complaints, they’re going to diagnose the problems using everything they have at their disposal from your x-rays and physical exams and your medical history. They are going to discuss her treatment plan with you in full. Chiropractors may use adjustments, ultrasound heat treatment or massage to treat your pain. Your chiropractor should speak with you at length about ways for you to live healthier, and how these changes can help your well-being so that you need less chiropractic treatments.