July 2022

Nearly 600 million people suffer from back pain. And even if you’ve never experienced back pain, chances are high that you’ll feel it at some point in your life.

If you’re suffering from back pain, you’re probably wondering what treatments are available and how you can start feeling better. Or, what are some ways in which you can prevent back pain?

Keep reading to learn more about symptoms, causes, and the treatments associated with back pain from chiropractors in Mount Pleasant.

Symptoms of Back Pain

Not all back pain is equal. Symptoms of pain range from stabbing, shooting, dull, aching, or burning. The pain may also travel to different parts of your body, like your legs, making walking, standing, or other activities impossible or difficult.

Isolated back pain is common, but you should see a doctor or a chiropractor if you experience any of the following along with your back pain:

Fever
Weight loss
Pain that doesn’t subside after treatments
Numbness or tingling in any area of the body
Leg pain
Trauma or injury to any part of the body
Weakness or fatigue
Stiffness or loss of range of motion
Swelling

Knowing the type of back pain you have is also essential for helping your chiropractor make their diagnosis. The more information you can provide, the better your treatment will be.

What Causes Back Pain?

There are several causes of back pain. Some may be immediately distinguishable, while others are harder to diagnose. Here are some things that cause back pain.

Pulled Muscle

One of the most common reasons for back pain is a pulled muscle or muscles. Too much movement or improper movement may cause muscles to lengthen awkwardly or become strained. If you want to avoid pulled muscles in your back, make sure to pay attention to your movements or use a brace to give support.

Ruptured Discs

Your spine has discs that provide comfort to your bones. When these discs rupture or slip, your bones grate against each other, causing pain or pressing against a nerve. Sometimes you can have a ruptured disc without any pain, but you’ll need an x-ray to determine if this is the case.

Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s response to pain, but it does cause discomfort. If you have a pulled muscle or other back problems, inflammation and swelling cause pain. To reduce inflammation, you can take medication, and apply ice to reduce swelling, but you’ll need to find the source of the inflammation.

Diseases

Bone diseases like osteoporosis and arthritis can cause back pain because they affect the joints as well. Osteoporosis causes your bones to become fragile and break easily, while arthritis causes pain in the joints, mostly in the lower back. Your doctor or chiropractor can diagnose both of these diseases.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain throughout all areas of the body, including your back, and likely stems from problems with the nervous system. You may feel tenderness or pain in certain areas, like the lower back. Your doctor or chiropractor can help you diagnose fibromyalgia.

Stress

Believe it or not, you can carry stress in your body, and your back in one place where people carry stress. Poor posture due to stress can wreak havoc on your body and back.

What Are the Treatments for Back Pain?

There are many ways to treat back pain. The most important thing is to know why you’re experiencing back pain and then take steps to reduce your pain or eliminate it completely. Here are some common treatments for back pain.

Chiropractic Care

A chiropractor is a type of doctor skilled at understanding and treating the neuromusculoskeletal system. This includes your bones, nerves, and muscles.

Chiropractic care includes treatments like chiropractic adjustments and exercises to reduce pain and align the body so it works better. This should minimize and help manage your pain.

Over-The-Counter Medication

If you have acute back pain that needs to run its course, like a pulled muscle, you can take OTC medication like ibuprofen to manage the pain while you recover. This allows you to rest comfortably and get back on your feet quickly.

Ice and Heat

Ice and heat both work to reduce pain. Applying ice to the site of pain can reduce swelling and inflammation. Heat therapy relaxes the muscles and encourages blood flow to the muscles for repair.

Surgery

In severe cases, especially if your pain doesn’t subside, you may need surgery, especially if you have a pinched nerve or slipped disc. Your doctor or chiropractor can recommend what type of surgery you need and why.

Preventing Back Pain

Back pain may be largely preventable. If you’re prone to back pain, here are some ways you can take control of your health and prevent spurts of back pain.

Exercise

Excess weight on the body causes it to work harder, leading to pulled muscles or strain. Taking the weight off by exercising and improving your range of motion can potentially reduce the severity and possibility of back pain.

Chiropractic Appointments

Keeping your body aligned may reduce the amount of back pain you experience. A chiropractor offers adjustments to get your body aligned so it works properly.

Build Muscle

In addition to keeping off the excess weight, you want to build up muscle. Muscle, especially your core muscles, helps keep your back upright and strong.

You Can Miminimze Back Pain

Back pain can be debilitating, but with a proper diagnosis and treatment, you can regain your quality of life. Don’t let back pain stop you from living your life and doing what you love.

If back pain is interfering with your life, try chiropractic care with the best chiropractor to get you back on your feet. Schedule an appointment today with one of our chiropractors in Mount Pleasant.

Lower back pain is the most common type of pain reported by patients. It also causes more disability worldwide than any other condition. In fact, about 25% of American adults report lower back pain.

If you’re struggling with back pain, don’t hesitate to visit a chiropractor in Mt. Pleasant, SC. The best chiropractor can ease your pain by treating the problem at its source.

Not sure which local chiropractor to choose? Read on to discover the tips you need when vetting chiropractors in Mount Pleasant!

Find Referrals and Reviews

There are nearly 70,000 chiropractors throughout the US. To narrow down your options for chiropractic care, consider speaking with friends and family members. Ask if they can recommend a chiropractor in Mt. Pleasant.

When speaking with your inner circle, make sure to ask them questions about their chiropractic care. The information they provide could help you make a more informed choice. For example, you might ask:

How long have they worked in the industry
What services do they offer
Where are they located
Have their services helped to treat your problem
How much do their services

Make sure to ask questions about the staff and chiropractor, too.

For example, is the staff friendly, inviting, and easy to talk to? Make sure everyone is professional as well. Determine if your friend experienced any problems during their appointments, too.

Ask questions about wait times. Determine if your friend struggled to schedule appointments and ask how long they waited to see the chiropractor.

Gathering this information can help you determine which offices to avoid and which local chiropractor to trust over the rest.

If you’re unable to gather a referral from a friend, talk to your general physician instead.

Reviews

Once you have a list of the chiropractors in Mount Pleasant, check online for patient reviews. You can find reviews on:

Healthgrades.com
The chiropractor’s website
Google Business
The BBB website
Yelp

The best chiropractor in Mt. Pleasant will have a strong professional reputation. You’ll have peace of mind choosing a chiropractor other locals trust to provide the care they need.

Make sure the chiropractor doesn’t have any medical malpractice or disciplinary actions on file. If they do, remove them from your list.

Once you have a list of the best chiropractors in Mt. Pleasant, you can use the rest of these tips to narrow down your choices.

Review Their Credentials

Make sure each local chiropractor on your list is licensed to practice in the state. Check for an About Us page on their website to begin reviewing their credentials. Otherwise, check their Healthgrades.com listing.

Before choosing a chiropractor from your list, consider learning more about their education, training, and professional history. For example, you should confirm that they graduated from an accredited medical institution. Determine if they have additional awards or certifications that can speak to their qualifications as well.

Determine when the chiropractor graduated, too. Confirm that they’ve remained up-to-date with new techniques and procedures since receiving their license.

Finding a chiropractor who remains informed can give you peace of mind. These professionals strive to offer patients the best possible services. They’ll have an easier time customizing your treatment plan based on your distinct needs.

Check for Experience

Once you determine when each chiropractor graduated, consider how long they’ve worked in the industry. Find a chiropractor with years of hands-on experience. Determine how long they’ve owned their own practice as well.

A chiropractor with years of relevant experience will have an easier time meeting your needs. It’s likely they’ve encountered patients with a mix of chiropractic issues over the years. They’ll know which techniques are most likely to help resolve your issues.

Consider what’s causing your pain symptoms as well.

For example, perhaps you were recently in a car accident and sustained a whiplash injury. Maybe you were in a sporting accident. Perhaps bad posture is contributing to your back problems instead.

You might have an underlying medical condition that’s causing your issues.

Make sure the chiropractor has experience relevant to the problem you’re facing. The chiropractor should have hands-on experience treating a range of musculoskeletal issues.

Finding a long-established practice will help you avoid operational issues, too. Otherwise, you might have issues scheduling appointments or with billing. A long-running business has likely outlasted competing practices in Mt. Pleasant, too.

Explore Their Services

Review each office’s services to determine how they’ll help resolve your musculoskeletal issues. Try to find a chiropractor that offers a range of different services. These chiropractors will customize your treatment plan with treatments beyond chiropractic adjustments.

For example, your chiropractor might recommend hot and cold therapy, massage therapy, or physical therapy.

When speaking with the chiropractor, ask them about the pros and cons of each form of treatment. They shouldn’t push you toward a specific form of treatment. Instead, they should help you make an informed choice based on your needs.

Schedule a Consultation

Schedule a consultation appointment with one or two chiropractors in Mount Pleasant. Discuss the specific symptoms you’re experiencing. They might ask about your medical history and lifestyle, too.

For example, it’s possible your work, posture, or diet is contributing to pain and inflammation.

Pay attention to how the chiropractor speaks. Make sure you choose someone you’re comfortable around. If they don’t listen to your concerns, move on to another chiropractor on your list.

Consider where the office is located as well. Try to find a practice located near your home, school, or work. Then, ask about the office’s operating hours.

Make sure you’re choosing an office that’s conveniently located.

Then, schedule your first appointment and start experiencing the benefits of chiropractic care firsthand!

Find the Best Chiropractor in Mt. Pleasant, SC Today

Don’t hesitate to request the help you need. Instead, use these tips to find the best chiropractor in Mt. Pleasant, SC. With these tips, you can find a local chiropractor you can trust.

A customized treatment plan can put an end to your pain in no time.

Ready to schedule your first appointment? We can’t wait to help.

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Back Pain: The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options