Persistent back pain is a health issue that plagues millions annually, with its origins often tracing back to degenerative illnesses, severe injuries, lifestyle choices, and various other factors.
The intensity and nature of the pain can differ greatly among individuals. Nevertheless, anyone burdened with back pain inevitably encounters a reduction in their quality of life due to chronic discomfort and decreased mobility.
More concerning, many individuals grappling with persistent back pain do not have the opportunity to take leave from work for surgical procedures and the accompanying lengthy recovery period. As a result, they soldier on, enduring the pain in an attempt to adhere to what progressively becomes a more demanding daily schedule.
Here are some common culprits behind chronic back pain:
- Sprains and strains
- Disc degeneration
- Herniated or ruptured discs
- Sciatica
- Arthritis
- Spinal stenosis
- Inflammation or wear of the sacroiliac joint
- Radiculopathy (pinched nerve)
- Spondylolisthesis
- Skeletal abnormalities
- Lifestyle factors
Though the manifestation of back pain is unique to each person, many afflicted individuals experience a combination of the following symptoms:
- Consistent dull or achy pain in the lower back
- Discomfort or difficulty when standing or sitting
- Pain that intensifies after prolonged periods of sitting or standing
- Pain that escalates with physical activity
- Burning, tingling, or numbness that spreads to the thighs, lower legs, or feet
- Muscle spasms or tension in the lower back and hips
For those enduring persistent back pain, there’s a silver lining: you do NOT have to grit your teeth and bear the pain.
With the evolution of modern medicine and cutting-edge treatment technologies, your pain can be significantly alleviated or even eradicated through non-invasive treatment options that could eliminate the need for surgery and extended recovery periods.
Here are some non-invasive techniques that have proven to be transformative for those suffering from chronic back pain:
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is a therapeutic technique that offers a multi-faceted approach to back pain relief. Primarily, it serves as a non-surgical alternative for people experiencing persistent back pain from Arthritis, disc bulges and herniations offering a chance to reduce pain, relieve spinal pressure, regain mobility, and remobilize the spine.
One of the most significant benefits of spinal decompression is its focus on the source of the pain. By targeting the affected discs directly (the true Core of the body), it provides relief from pressure and discomfort. Over time, with consistent treatment, it can lead to significant improvements in mobility, enabling individuals to return to their daily activities with less pain and discomfort.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of light to interact with tissue and accelerate the healing process. It can be used on patients who suffer from acute and chronic conditions in order to eliminate pain, swelling, reduce spasms, and increase functionality.
One of the key features of Laser therapy is its ability to address the root cause of discomfort, rather than merely masking the symptoms. By stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms at a cellular level, it helps to resolve the underlying issues causing pain or reduced functionality. This approach results in more long-lasting relief and helps prevent the recurrence of the problem.
Chiropractic Therapy
Chiropractic is a comprehensive, hands-on solution to pain management and restoration of movement and function in the body. It’s based on the treatment of subluxation, which is the pain, swelling and loss of function that occurs when a joint in the body is misaligned, compressed or strained.
Other Pain Relief Treatments
In addition to the direct treatments for back pain, a comprehensive approach to pain relief often involves additional strategies that target your overall health and wellness. Your chiropractor may recommend dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and other non-invasive treatments that can complement your primary therapies. These suggestions are aimed at optimizing your overall health to facilitate recovery, prevent future pain, and enhance your quality of life.
To ascertain the most effective treatment options for your back pain, it’s recommended to consult with a competent chiropractor who can perform an extensive examination and offer recommendations tailored to your unique circumstances.
Are you familiar with any of the symptoms listed above and curious about your persistent back pain and potential treatment alternatives? At A Chiropractic Wellness Place in Chelmsford, MA, Dr. Mark Chiungos offers expert, customized care to alleviate your discomfort.
Our very own Dr. Mark Chiungos provides potent, non-invasive pain relief options for local patients suffering from back pain and other debilitating conditions. Whether Spinal Decompression therapy or another treatment method is your best option, he will collaborate with you to tailor the most effective plan suited to your individual circumstances.
In conclusion, a holistic approach to pain management, incorporating dietary changes, lifestyle modifications, and other strategies, can optimize overall health and wellness, enhancing the effectiveness of your primary pain relief treatments. While these changes can require effort and commitment, their potential to improve your quality of life and well-being is considerable. Remember, it’s important to discuss any proposed changes with a healthcare professional to ensure they are safe and appropriate for your specific situation.
If you’re ready to embark on a journey towards better health and freedom from chronic pain, we encourage you to arrange your 1st visit with Dr. Mark Chiungos. This initial evaluation will allow you to discuss your health concerns, pain points, and lifestyle habits in a comfortable and non-judgmental environment.
Dr. Chiungos will listen attentively to your personal health history and current symptoms, offering his professional insight and guidance on the potential causes of your discomfort and the potential steps that could be taken to alleviate it. The 1st visit is not just an opportunity to identify potential treatment pathways, but it’s also an occasion to get to know Dr. Chiungos and the philosophy of our practice.
To schedule the 1st visit call (978) 376-8190. Our friendly administrative staff will work with you to find a time that fits into your schedule. Our primary goal is to help you understand your pain and the ways in which various options for care might provide relief. We look forward to helping you on your path to wellness.
FAQ
Chiropractic
Most insurance policies offer some chiropractic coverage. Dr. Chiungos works with Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare, Tufts Health Plan, Unicare/GIC, and Medicare. See the No Surprises Act for more information.
Absolutely. Chiropractic as a profession is more than 100 years old. We follow industry guidelines during our new patient induction process to minimize risk and maximize benefit. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is considered by many to be the least costly professional insurance in the healthcare industry because chiropractic is generally considered a safe, manual therapy.
It depends on your mechanism of injury and your current state of health. You might start feeling better as soon as your adjustment is finished. You might need to go home and ice (Dr. Chiungos will advise you). If your injury is serious, it may take several visits. But your healing has begun from the first adjustment. Your personal care plan is designed to take you from where you are today to your best possible outcome. Dr. Chiungos will keep you updated on your progress at each visit.
SpineMED®
Decompression treatment is not currently covered by health insurance. If Dr. Chiungos believes this is an integral part of your treatment plan, he will discuss all costs and potential discounts before the start of care. You will receive informed consent.
Spinal Disc Decompression with the SpineMED® Table has shown to be safe and generally without major side effects or complications once abnormal conditions have been ruled out. The process is so safe and comfortable, it’s not uncommon for patients to fall asleep!
- Patients under 12 years old
- If you had spinal surgery that involved clips, mesh or fusion
- If you have fractures, tumors or infections
- If you have osteoporosis or spondylolisthesis where there’s been a fracture or non-union defect in the spine, where that segment that we want to traction is unstable
Damaged intervertebral discs seldom heal as the discs are constantly under pressure from muscular spasm—during normal activities, and even while sleeping! SpineMED is designed to reduce the pressure in the discs, promoting the influx of vital fluids, nutrients and oxygen back into the discs to assist the body’s natural rebuilding process. This process may speed up the natural repair and could eventually heal damaged spinal discs.
Sessions are typically 30 minutes long. It could take 15 to 25 sessions or more to see some relief from your discomfort. That’s variable based on your status and the condition we’re treating. Ideally, the sessions are performed daily with rest on the weekend.
Aspen Laser
Laser treatment, as used in chiropractic offices, is not currently covered by health insurance. If Dr. Chiungos believes this is an integral part of your treatment plan, he will discuss all costs and potential discounts before the start of care.
Laser therapy has been in use for over thirty years with almost no side effects reported. Aspen Laser is FDA-registered and passes all safety compliance requirements. The treatments are not painful; in fact, laser is warm and comfortable to your skin. Dr. Chiungos will check in with you regularly to make sure the temperature feels right, and you can always speak up if it starts to feel too warm. The main safety concern is for the eyes, which is why Dr. Chiungos will provide protective glasses for both patient and doctor at each session.
Laser is effective on most parts of the body; however, there are times when laser is not appropriate:
- during pregnancy
- within twelve months of cancer treatments
- during the use of photo-sensitizing medications
- over recent steroid injections (seven days)
- over growth plates or reproductive glands
- over tattoos or skin infections
Laser therapy promotes energy production supporting cellular repair, increased blood flow, increased red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity, and decrease of inflammation. When used in conjunction with traditional chiropractic, laser can reduce pain and healing time, and promote a deeper, more complete healing to the area of concern.
Sessions typically last 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the treatment area. They generally start longer and reduce in length as you heal. Most acute conditions require only 10 – 12 treatment sessions. If you have a chronic condition, you may need 12 – 20 treatments and one or two follow-up sessions every month. The amount and frequency of treatments are determined through assessment of your condition combined with Dr. Chiungos’s experience treating patients with laser. You will likely start to feel better after your first 5 sessions.
