Low back pain usually lasting a few weeks, letting up slightly when you take a pain reliever and then going away is a common problem for many people. There are many causes for low back pain. If you have injured or strained your lower back, most cases just takes time for your back to heal. Usually the pain will last just as long if you go to a chiropractor, or to a physical therapist, or even if you seek no treatment at all. Treatment of some type can make you more comfortable as you wait for your back to heal. Chiropractic and conventional treatments are available. But which one is the right treatment for your particular problem? Massage therapy can also help your muscles relax and you to feel better while you wait for your back to heal. Massage therapy also offers you other health related benefits. In this article we will explore some of those benefits as well as talk a little bit about chiropractic therapy for the relief of lower back pain.

Chiropractic Therapy:

In chiropractic therapy the goal is to restore spinal movement and therefore improve function and decrease the back pain. Chiropractors use spinal adjustment (manipulation) as one form of therapy to treat and/or alleviate back pain and restricted spinal mobility.

A chiropractor uses their hands to apply a controlled, sudden force to a joint. This technique often results in a cracking sound made by separation of the joint surfaces. The sound is common; however, it does not have to occur for the adjustment treatment to be successful.

Another technique a chiropractor may use is massage and stretching to relax muscles that are shortened or in spasm. Additional chiropractic treatments include ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation and exercises.

Chiropractic care is considered safe, although it is not appropriate for everyone. The following are some situations in which chiropractic care is not recommended:

• If you have osteoporosis or symptoms of nerve damage such as numbness, tingling or loss of strength in a limb, hand or foot you should not choose chiropractic adjustments.
• A history of spinal surgery would indicate the need to check with your surgeon before consulting a chiropractor.
• If you have had a stroke or have a history of vascular disease manipulation of the neck may be hazardous.
• Back pain accompanied by fever, chills, sweats or unintentional weight loss should be evaluated by a medical doctor to rule out the possibility of an infection or tumor before consulting a chiropractor.
If none of the situations above fit your case and you would like to try chiropractic care to treat your low back pain consider the following tips before contacting chiropractic therapists:
• Always consult with your doctor first. Ask him his professional opinion about the type of specialist best to treat your back pain. Some physical therapists and many osteopathic physicians have spinal manipulation training. One of these or even another specialist your doctor may be aware of and you are not might be the better choice in your situation.
• Select a chiropractor who is willing to work with other members of your health care team.
• Arrange a consultation with the practitioner before you make a treatment appointment. You want to find out how he or she might address your back pain. Be sure you are comfortable with the recommendations, and the number of sessions required. Normally for acute low back pain, four to six sessions are enough.
• There are few risks involved when adjustments are limited to the lower back. Manipulation of the neck has been associated with injury to the blood vessels supplying the brain. On rare occasions, neck manipulation may cause a stroke.

Always think in terms of prevention. Review the following tips for preventing lower back pain:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Sit up straight.
• When you lift something heavy, learn the correct techniques for lifting and let your legs to the work.
• Smokers should ask their doctors to help them develop a plan to quit. Smoking reduces blood blow to the lower spine, which hinders the healing process.

Massage Therapy:
In addition, a soothing massage can help you in more ways than just to unwind. Massage combined with traditional medical treatments can reduce stress and promote healing in people with certain health conditions.

Several types of health care professionals can perform a massage. These health care professionals include but are not limited to:
• A massage therapist;
• A physical therapist;
• An occupational therapist.

A massage consists of manipulation of your body's soft tissues - your muscles, skin and tendons. Massage professionals use their fingertips, hands and fists during the manipulation process. There are several versions of the massage, which are performed in a variety of settings.

After a massage you will probably feel relaxed, but the massage is not likely to cure everything that ails you. You should be aware that a massage performed incorrectly could also hurt you. Try to educate yourself about massage techniques before you try one to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable.

There are certain health benefits related to massage therapy. The following is a list of some of those benefits:

• Massage has been known to reduce anxiety in depressed children, anorexic women, and the withdrawal symptoms in adults trying to quit smoking.
• Massage during labor seems to help reduce stress and anxiety, relax the muscles and help block the pain.
• Massage encourages weight gain in premature babies and reduces the number of days they stayed in the hospital.
• People with HIV who participated in massage studies showed an increased number of natural killer cells, which are thought to defend the body from viral and cancer cells.
• Massage involves direct contact with another person through touch and can make you feel cared for. The special attention can improve self-image in people with physical disabilities and terminal illnesses.
• Using touch to convey caring can help children with severe physical disabilities.

Back pain also might be relieved by massage, however, back pain study results have been contradictory and more research is required.

Source: Mayo Clinic

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. Always consult with a professional health care provider for all your health problems.

Author: Connie Limon. Please visit our collection of Nutrition and Health Articles at http://nutritionandhealthhub.com All articles are offered as information, education and FREE reprints for your newsletter, website or blog.

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