Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common injuries that people can relate to. Statistically, 80% of people in North America will suffer from low back pain at least once in their lifetime.
Globally, low back pain is the leading cause of years lived with disability.
At Enhanced Health & Wellness in Edmonton, we believe that you don’t need to suffer from back pain whether it’s been a few days, weeks, months, or even years.
Our skilled practitioners work with the patient to diagnose, treat, and provide a home exercise program to prevent the pain from reoccurring.
Patients who visit our Edmonton Chiropractic office for back pain usually complain of the following
- Low back pain
- Sharp pains in the back
- Sciatica
- Tingling sensations in the back
- Numbness in the back
- Back spasms
- Disc herniations or disc bulges
There are many reasons you can be experiencing back pain such as
- Lifting improperly
- Repetitive movement or activities
- Motor vehicle accident (MVA)
- Poor posture
- Sitting all-day
- Lack of movement
- Sports injuries
- Falling on ice
- Improper work ergonomics
- And many more
Why Should I See A Chiropractor For Back Pain
Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing, assessing, and treating back pain. As a profession, chiropractors are also considered the leading experts in back-related issues.
A chiropractor will use a conservative approach to treating your condition without the use of medication or surgery. Different areas in the body may have a lack of proper motion which can cause pain not only at the site of injury but also in other areas of compensation.
A chiropractic adjustment is a safe way to help increase motion and decrease pain in the areas of complaint. Chiropractors are trained to identify the root cause of the issue rather than just treating the symptoms.
When assessing and treating back pain, different structures are considered such as the spine, muscles, and nerves to distinguish the relation they have to your injury.
Our Approach to Back Pain Relief
At Enhanced Health & Wellness, in Edmonton, we use many different methods to help with your back pain relief. Each method used is hand-picked depending on your condition and the symptoms you are presenting with.
We work with your level of comfort to achieve the best results with as minimal pain as possible. Our chiropractic team not only help you to get out of pain but also educate and empower you to manage and treat your own back pain.
Techniques We Use To Help With Your Back Pain
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic Adjustments (or spinal manipulation) help to alleviate pain effectively and quickly by performing a high velocity, low amplitude (HVLA) thrust to a specific area. This adjustment may result in a ‘popping’ or ‘cracking’ noise much like when you crack your knuckles. This relieves pressure from the affected joints and can result in a decrease in pain, increase in range of motion, and a decrease in radiating pain.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a proven, effective form of therapy to help decrease back pain. Discovering movement inefficiencies and muscular imbalances from assessing the triggers of pain as well as directional preferences of movement aid in providing a proper diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is given, physiotherapy exercises will help to correct muscular imbalances and strengthen muscles require it.
Active Release
Active Release is a muscle technique that involves applying pressure to targeted muscles and moving you through a specific range of motion. By moving through a range motion, we are ‘stripping’ the muscle in order to break up painful adhesions and release muscular tension.
Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy can help relieve back pain by using direct pressure to problem areas and other areas that may be compensating due to your pain. Not only can it help with your back pain, but it can also help decrease the added stress that is caused by your pain.
Acupuncture Therapy
Acupuncture Therapy uses fine needles that are inserted into the muscles to help relieve tightness and tension in specific areas. These needles not only release tight muscles but also allow more blood flow to the area for more efficient healing.
Patient Education
Patient Education is an important aspect of our treatment. Our practitioners will educate you on what to do and what not to do so that you are not aggravating your symptoms.
Home Exercise Program
A Home Exercise Program is one of the best ways to allow your body to recover. We work with our patients by giving them home stretches and exercises in order for them to get better, faster. Keeping up with home exercises is key to healing and for long-term results of injury resolution.
When Should I See A Chiropractor For Back Pain?
There are times when we may experience a minor ‘tweak’ in the back but the symptoms go away quickly. Other times back pain will last for days, weeks, months, or even years!
Oftentimes back pain can be quite severe and leaves you searching for relief.
If you are experiencing any of the following, it is recommended to book an appointment:
- Severe or debilitating back pain
- Pain shooting down one or both your legs
- Back pain that has been going on for more than a few days
- Chronic Back Pain
- Any symptoms of numbness, tingling, or weakness
- Reliance on pain medication to manage your back pain
- Pain medication does not alleviate your back pain
When you book an appointment, Dr. Kwan will take a detailed history and perform a thorough examination to discover the structures that are causing your back pain.
A customized treatment plan includes the best treatment options, education on what is the cause of your pain, advice on how to move better with less pain, and a home exercise program to reduce your symptoms.
Each plan takes into consideration your personal goals so you can get back to doing what you love to do. Don’t let back pain put a pause on your life, contact us so we can help you right away.
“I have had chronic back pain for over a decade and have seen many chiropractors in my day. Dr. Justin Kwan is likely the best chiropractor I have had. He has given me a lot of good advice. He is a skilled practitioner with excellent manual adjustment techniques combined with acupuncture. A rare find. Highly recommended. I have sent a few friends and my parents to him with great results.”
