Drug Free Pain ReliefAlbany, OR
Drug-free pain relief is a relatively new concept in medicine but one that has long been used by chiropractors. Almost all treatments done by chiropractors do not involve the use of drugs, medicine, surgery, or other external sources for pain relief. Instead, chiropractic care and treatments focus on improving body function by using its own healing capabilities and the manual efforts of the chiropractor, i.e., their hands.
At Better Pain Solutions, we offer drug-free pain relief for patients in Albany and the surrounding area. Our team can assess your symptoms, diagnose your condition, and discuss our various natural pain relief options. To learn more about a procedure or schedule an appointment, call (541) 249-7317 today.
What is Drug Free Pain Relief?
Physical pain is an inevitable component of one’s life at one point or another. While it is possible to relieve pain with over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications, they will not provide lasting relief. However, medications and external remedies are not always the answer. Chiropractic care can help with various health conditions, such as Arthritis, frequent headaches, joint pain and dysfunction, lower back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and stiff muscles or muscle aches. It can also help with healing after an accident or whiplash.
Chiropractors, on the other hand, believe in helping the body heal itself by using various manipulation and adjustment techniques. The goal of chiropractic care for pain relief is to correct the body’s structural alignment to improve its overall function. Misalignment can cause tissue damage and contribute to a variety of other health issues. Chiropractic treatment can increase range of motion in the spine and joints of the body. Chiropractic care has long been seen as a treatment for the spine alone, but it has proven beneficial for the body as a whole.
Chiropractic Adjustments
A chiropractic adjustment offers a safe and non-invasive method to treat back pain, along with other health concerns; this technique utilizes physical movements to relieve symptoms related to back pain and correct other spinal issues. During a chiropractic adjustment, a trained chiropractor manipulates the spine to correct misalignment or relieve pain caused by nerve pressure. A chiropractor may use their hands or a special instrument to apply force to the vertebrae.
Chiropractic adjustments are a possible treatment option for back issues such as a herniated disc. Back pain is a common ailment that affects an average of 8 out of 10 people during various periods of their lives. They can also treat conditions related to the nervous system and musculoskeletal systems, such as headaches, muscle pain, and joint pain in other parts of the body.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
Spinal decompression in chiropractic care uses non-surgical techniques to help relieve chronic back pain, neck pain, or sciatica. Spinal decompression therapy is necessary to keep the bones that form the spine, or vertebrae, from squeezing the spinal discs that cushion them. Excess pressure on the discs can cause them to bulge out and compress the spinal cord and nerves, resulting in pain or numbness.
The goal of spinal decompression therapy is to alleviate pressure on the spinal nerves causing pain. There are two approaches to spinal decompression: non-surgical and surgical. In non-surgical spinal decompression, a chiropractor uses a traction table to gently stretch the spine, changing the force and position of the vertebrae to take pressure off the spinal discs.
Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy, LLLT, is a type of light therapy that uses low-frequency wavelengths to generate biochemical changes in cells. Chiropractors use LLLT to induce pain relief, tissue repair, and healing on different body parts. Some patients may also know this therapy as cold therapy or photobiomodulation.
This laser therapy does not produce a warming effect but causes alterations in cells comparable to photosynthesis in plants. The wavelengths from cold therapy can penetrate the skin without causing external damage. This type of treatment allows for patients to receive the care and treatment they need without needing to use a scalpel or other traditional treatment tools.
After-Care and Maintenance
Most chiropractic therapies last between 20 and 45 minutes. The chiropractor will recommend the number of sessions depending on the individual's condition and pain. We will also recommend at-home exercises and posture control to help maintain a healthy back and body at home.
With the combination of professional check-ups at our chiropractic office and at-home exercises to promote healing, we can help ensure patients receive the proper care they need to continue on the path toward recovery. There is no reason for patients to continue struggling with physical pain and related symptoms.
Schedule a Visit Today
Drug-free pain relief consultations and treatments are available at our office. The Better Pain Solutions team looks forward to treating you and helping you manage your pain without medication. Call our office at (541) 249-7317 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Free Pain Relief
How does your spine get compressed?
Spinal compression often occurs after an injury or a degenerative condition that causes the spinal canal or nerve root openings to narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
What is a herniated disc?
A herniated disc may also be described as a pinched nerve, ruptured disc, bulging disc, or slipped disc. Between individual vertebrae is a disc that functions as a shock absorber. The disc has a soft jelly-like center and a rubbery exterior, but if it tears or gets squeezed, the gel can push out and compress the spinal cord.
Is non-surgical spinal decompression effective?
While non-surgical approaches to spinal decompression have been shown to relieve pressure on the spine and thereby reduce pain, clinical evidence is lacking, and future studies are needed to support spinal traction methods in evidence-based care.
Why do chiropractors take X-rays?
Chiropractors may take X-rays to diagnose a patient's condition properly or to confirm a diagnosis they have made using other tools. X-rays can help a chiropractor see if vertebrae are properly aligned or if any discs are degenerating. They can also help diagnose conditions such as scoliosis. X-rays can also serve as a useful tool to document a patient's progress.
How do chiropractors perform a chiropractic adjustment?
Chiropractors primarily use their hands to identify areas of tenderness or changes in muscle tone. A chiropractor will apply light pressure to different spots on a patient's back and watch their reaction. They may also look at a patient's range of motion and how they walk to identify trouble spots. They may also use a tool called diagnostic thermography, which will show areas of heat on the skin, which may indicate nerve compression.