5 Signs it's Time to See the Chiropractor for Your Back Pain

When To See A Chiropractor For Neck Pain & Back Pain

Over 80% of the US population will experience some form of lower back pain at some point in their lives. Sometimes, it is only temporary. Maybe you slept funny; maybe you strained yourself working out. Any number of things can cause pain and irritation in the back and neck. But at what point does the pain become such a burden that it's time to see a professional? Unfortunately, your back can not speak for itself, so you need to understand the warning signs that your back pain is something that needs to be treated. Here's how to know when to see a chiropractor. 

Chronic Pain.  When we experience pain, often our first instinct is to turn to the medicine cabinet.  However, pills will only treat pain temporarily and can be dangerous if you become dependent on their aid. A chiropractor provides non-invasive, drug-free treatment that tackles the root of your pain, rather than just the pain itself. Taking pain relievers is like trying to mop up a puddle under a leaky pipe: it works momentarily, but you're not addressing the source of the issue.

Radiating pain.  If the pain in your back or neck travels down your arms, legs or lower back, or if you experience numbness/weakness in your feet or legs, you could have irritated nerves. Your spinal cord houses the central nervous system, which is the powerhouse to the many functions of your body. If you have a slipped disc, it could cause a pinched nerve, leading to pain and other irritating sensations in your extremities. 

Night pains. If your pain worsens at night, that is not normal and could be indicative of serious health issues such as disc degeneration, spinal fractures, or even spinal tumors. The worst thing you can do is take sleeping medication or painkillers. This only addresses the issue on a surface level, when real problems could be at large. 

Changing the way you walk to avoid pain. If you suffer from back or neck pain and you're changing the way you walk in order to avoid it, a trip to the chiropractor is long overdue. If you have difficulty walking more than a block and find that you are leaning a certain way to alleviate the pain, there is a chance you have stenosis, which causes your spine to narrow, putting extra pressure on your nerves. Treatment is VERY necessary if you've been experiencing this for extended periods of time.

Recent trauma.  If you have recently been in a car accident or a situation that caused strain on your body and new back pain occurs, it’s best to see a chiropractor. The sooner you make an appointment, the better off you will be in the long run.

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