Your back is key to living your life and doing the important things each day. Without good chiropractic care, eventually your back will give out on you. It seems like as we age, our backs become susceptible to greater injury. Taking good care of it is important, and the following article is here to do just that.
When trying to find a chiropractor, make sure that you ensure that your insurance company approves chiropractic care. Many insurance companies require a physician referral before they will cover chiropractic care. Additionally, many insurance companies limit the number of visits to a chiropractor each year. Therefore, it is important that you talk with your insurance company.
Remember that not all chiropractors are the same. Try to find one that sticks largely to conservative treatments focused largely on back pain, but also on other primary problem areas for musculoskeletal issues. Your primary care physician is able to provide you with trusted names and references for you to start your search.
Tell your chiropractor about any pain you are having, even if the pain may not seem related to an aching back. The nerves in your back can cause pains in lots of unexpected areas. You may get shooting pains in the soles of your feet. There may be tingling prickles on your legs. All of these can be related to a back issue, and your chiropractor needs to know about them.
When choosing a chiropractor, avoid chiropractors who regularly order or perform x-ray exams of their patients. Most patients who see a chiropractor do not need these x-rays. Be particularly wary of x-ray examinations of the whole spine. The diagnostic value of this practice is doubtful and it also involves a great amount of radiation.
To find the best chiropractor, talk to some of your friends who have had to seek care for their own back pain. Many chiropractors advertise their services, and weeding out those whose work is not quite as good is difficult without third-party references. If you don’t have friends who have gone to a chiropractor, ask your potential providers for references.
Focus on good posture while sitting. Arms and legs should be bent at a 90 degree angle and feet should be lined up directly under the knees. Slouching or putting your feet under your chair can cause stress on hamstring and your lower back. Sit up straight and keep your back in line.
Know going in that there is risk involved with chiropractic. You are dealing with manipulation of the spine after all. It’s important to find the best doctor available to you for these sessions. Keep away from any clinics where you feel concerned about the quality care that’s available to you.
If you visit a chiropractor who talks about “subluxations,” features pamphlets about nerve interference in their waiting rooms, or talks about the ways that chiropractic treatments can help cure almost every medical problem, get out before you sign a contract. Chiropractic treatment is beneficial for musculoskeletal issues, and little else.
Realize that some chiropractic methods bring a high level of risk. Any spinal manipulation that includes sudden movements brings more possibility of injury than other treatments that are more conservative. Neck manipulation can also lead to serious harm and should happen gently to keep rotation from becoming excessive and harming the vertebral artery.
Before beginning any manipulations to your spine, your chiropractor should order a full set of x-rays or an MRI to rule out fractured bones and other injuries. The best way to get proper chiropractic care is to have a complete exam performed. Don’t even consider allowing any treatment before your chiropractor has studied all your x-rays and any other appropriate tests. Instead, find another chiropractor.
Do not keep your back slouched over when standing or sitting for lengthy periods of time. This ends up adding strain to the muscles of the back and spine that causes great pain. And, when having to sit or stand up for many hours in one position, be sure you take breaks and also try to switch positions often.
When lifting things, never twist as you are lifting. Twisting while you are lifting is dangerous because your muscles are straining and your spine is under pressure. This puts you at risk for sudden back spasm or pulled ligaments and tendons which can severe pain that can last for days.
If you have a familial medical history of illnesses, a great chiropractor will refer you to a physician to ensure it is safe to perform chiropractic manipulations on you. This is especially important if you or any blood relatives have heart disease, diabetes or lung problems. If you are concerned, talk with your chiropractor before starting any treatment plan.
After reading the above article, you should have a good idea on what you can do to help minimize your chances of falling victim to a serious back injury. It all starts with good chiropractic care, along with solid advice and tips like what you read here. Stick to them for good back health now, and into the future!
