The Role of Chiropractic Care in Managing Chronic Back Pain

Back pain is a common complaint many people experience. From office workers to sportspeople, transport drivers to pregnant mums, almost anyone and everyone will get back pain at some point in their lives.

Common triggers of back pain can include working out or lifting heavy weights, sitting for long periods of time, sleeping in an uncomfortable position, or wearing a poorly fitting backpack.

Other risk factors include age, posture, previous injury, and degeneration.

As a chiropractor, I’ve met so many people whose lives have been significantly impacted by chronic lower back pain. For many, it’s more than just discomfort; it’s a persistent challenge that affects their work, family life, and even their ability to enjoy simple activities. 

This article takes a look at the role chiropractic care plays in managing cases of chronic back pain.

What’s chronic back pain?

Chronic back pain is described as pain that lasts for over three months. Chronic pain conditions are actually one of the most common reasons people see medical or healthcare. 

According to a recent study from the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2021, almost 20% of US adults experienced chronic pain in one form or another.

One of the most common causes that I've seen in my practice for chronic back pain is a combination of poor posture and repetitive strain injuries as well as degenerative disc disease.

How chiropractic care tackles chronic pain

Chiropractors are most known for the chiropractic adjustment. And the most common condition chiropractors treat is back pain. 

The chiropractic adjustment is a controlled use of force applied to a stuck joint or problematic area along the spine. The aim is to restore alignment, improve mobility, and take pressure off the nervous system. All of this helps to reduce feelings of pain.

What happens during an adjustment?

During your chiropractic adjustment, you may be lying down on a chiropractic table, you may also be lying on your side or in a particular pose that allows for the treatment of the area in question. 

When it comes to an adjustment for lower back pain, you'll likely lay face down on the chiropractic table. The adjustment is a ‘hands-on’ technique that uses controlled force applied to a joint. The adjustment pushes the joint through its usual range of motion.  

You may hear a ‘crack’ or a ‘popping’ sound, which is actually the release of gas from the joint. This noise is quite harmless.

Please note that after the chiropractic adjustment, some people have minor side effects for a few days. These may include having headaches or pain in the parts of the body that were treated.

Chiropractic adjustments may not be effective for everyone. If your symptoms show no improvement after a few weeks of treatment, it may be worth exploring alternative treatment options better suited to your needs.

The role of posture in addressing chronic back pain

We also play an important role in helping patients to improve their posture. I’ve found that many patients simply don’t realise how much poor posture contributes to their discomfort. 

Your posture when you work, sleep, and throughout the day has a massive impact on how you feel, function, and move. 

Poor posture can place unnecessary strain on the spine, muscles, and ligaments, contributing to pain and discomfort. Addressing posture issues helps to reduce stress on the musculoskeletal system, allowing for better alignment, improved function, and pain relief.

Some of the things we help patients with include:

• Being posture aware throughout the day

• Practicing better posture habits to make these permanent changes

• Ensure even distribution of weight throughout your body i,e. don't stand with all your weight on one leg, slouch, or lean on walls for support.

• Retrain your muscles and strengthen key muscle groups.

• Ergonomic improvements to your workspace.

Key points

• Chronic back pain is a common issue affecting many people, with triggers including heavy lifting, sitting for long periods, funny sleeping positions, and poor posture.

• Chiropractic care aims to restore alignment, improve mobility, and reduce pain.

• Posture improvements often help to address some of the causes of chronic, musculoskeletal lower back pain.

Disclaimer: This article is created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.

Author: Dr Kirsten Strudwick (Chiropractor) is a Doctor of Chiropractic with 15+ years of experience in Marrickville, Sydney, and runs Marrickville Chiropractic Care. Holding a BSc and M.Chiro from Macquarie University, her practice focuses on holistic, patient-centred care. Kirsten has a clinical interest in a range of areas including women’s health, paediatric care, and pregnancy-related treatments.