Getting the appropriate treatment for chronic neck or back pain is critical. Why? Because it has been linked to spinal arthritis. In addition the common anti-inflammatory medications routinely prescribed for neck and back pain and arthritis have been shown to weaken the joint cartilage, making the arthritis worse.
One thing is crystal clear and that is neck and back pain are mechanical problems requiring a mechanical solution. There is absolutely no long term benefit to using pain and anti-inflammatory drugs to treat neck and back pain.
According to the CDC the opioid crisis, beginning in the 1990s has led to overdose deaths and addiction.
Mechanical Back Pain accounts for 6 million cases per year presenting to Emergency Rooms.
So….what is the most logical treatment for acute or chronic neck or back pain?
PHYSICAL THERAPY OR PAIN MEDICATION
Resolving or correcting any health challenge requires a treatment that matches up with the cause of the problem. That applies to neck and back pain in many ways more so than other conditions.
If the cause of the vast majority of neck and back pain is mechanical then it follows logically that the treatment should offer a mechanical solution.
Pain and anti-inflammatory drugs cannot by their very nature correct a mechanical problem. They can cover up or reduce the effect of the mechanical problem, like inflammation or pain.
In fact if the drugs do their job they can leave the mechanical lesion uncorrected even though the pain has diminished. What’s the danger of that?
Left uncorrected mechanical problems put stress on joints as they move. This stress over time causes an acceleration of the wear and tear on these joints, leading to degenerative arthritis.
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Physical therapy would seem to be an appropriate treatment for chronic neck and back pain. In fact many people who find my office searching for a chiropractor in Grass Valley, started out seeing a physical therapist on the recommendation of their physician.
After all physical therapy is associated with exercise and that would seem to fit the need for a mechanical solution. But, they also use a lot of what are called therapies like hot, cold, electrical stimulation, and ultrasound. These are called passive therapies or treatments.
Recent research has shown that any combination of active and passive treatment results in the following:
- 50% increase in opioid use
- 53% increase in spinal injections
What about corrective chiropractic care for chronic neck and back pain?
- 55% fewer opioid prescriptions
This is not to diminish the potential value of appropriate physical therapy care. What it does highlight is the critical importance of applying the appropriate mechanical solution to a mechanical problem.
CORRECTIVE CHIROPRACTORS ARE THE MECHANICAL EXPERTS
Chiropractic has grown and prospered outside of the traditional healthcare professions like medical and physical therapy. It has succeeded because it works and satisfied patients tell others.
Much of the research documenting the effectiveness of chiropractic has focused on spinal manipulation. Manipulation is a very crude form of mechanical care that is non-specific.
The outcomes and results from corrective chiropractic care using specific spinal adjustments is much greater. Corrective chiropractic is focused on restoring balance, alignment, and motion.
Here are the top two reviews of Life Chiropractic that show up on a google search:
3 weeks agoNEW
Dr. Bill is fantastic, he’s not a snake oil type of chiropractor, straight to the point, has helped me feel better immensely. With each appointment i feel more and more like myself again. Great guy. Highly recommend! Thanks for all your help Doc!
9 months ago
Dr. Bill is absolutely the best and a lifesaver for me! I came to Dr. Bill a few months ago feeling broken and defeated with an ongoing lower back problem of 7 years! I had gone to doctors, Physical therapist and even tried numerous prescriptions and nothing really helped me. After seeing Dr. Bill, I feel like I have my life back. My back has never felt better!!! Plus, now as an added bonus, because my back is better, I’ve never felt fitter in my life! He has very reasonable prices and I would recommend Dr. Bill to everyone!
If you are ready to explore a solution to your chronic neck pain, back pain, headaches, anxiety, sciatica you can schedule your initial visit to Life Chiropractic here: Schedule.
About Dr. Berkowitz
Bringing more than 3 decades of practice experience, Dr. Bill Berkowitz focuses on balancing and corrective care, applying his expertise to provide patients with predictable, repeatable and measurable results.
Dr. Bill consistently strives to enhance the well-being of his patients by addressing the root imbalances of their problems and promoting optimal balance, alignment, and function of the spine and nervous system.
Bill’s wealth of knowledge and experience has allowed him to develop a nuanced understanding of the human body and its intricate connections. With each adjustment, he supports the body in returning to a state of balance that goes beyond mere symptom relief, focusing instead on long-term correction for his patients’ well-being.