The three methods that chiropractors use when treating back pain are spinal manipulation, manual therapies e massage and therapeutic exercises to strengthen supporting muscles.
A chiropractor uses spinal manipulation or adjustments of the spine to restore joint mobility.
A chiropractor uses manual therapies like massage to reduce soft tissue tension.
And finally the chiropractor uses the therapeutic exercises to strengthen your supporting muscles, which all help to alleviate and treat back pain.
The spinal manipulation and adjustment by the chiropractor is a high velocity, low amplitude thrust, which is applied to your vertebrae to improve motion and reduce nerve interference and alleviate pain that is often done, by utilizing methods like Gonstead even Diversified techniques.
Soft tissue therapy and manual therapy by the chiropractor, uses techniques like massage, trigger point therapy and instrument assisted soft tissue therapy, to relax tight muscles, relieve muscle spasms and reduce the pain in the ligaments and tendons around your spine.
And for the therapeutic exercise and stretching, chiropractors use specific and personalized exercises to strengthen your core muscles and improve your range of motion and also to prevent future injuries.
The lifestyle habit that is linked to back problems and back pain is sitting too long, like prolonged sitting at a desk or in front of screens, which is the main habit that is linked to back problems and back pain.
Prolonged sitting, along with having poor posture like slouching and lifting improperly and a lack of exercise as well as smoking and even carrying excess weight, all increase strain on your back and spine reduce blood flow as well as weakens the muscles that support your spine.
Sitting for long periods of time, places at least 40 percent more pressure on your spine than standing does, which causes disc compression and muscle weakening, and slouching, hunching or "tech neck" which is looking down at phones also strains your muscles and ligaments.
And living a sedentary lifestyle and not getting enough exercise also weakens the core muscle, which are necessary for proper spine support.
And bending at the waist, instead of your knees places a significant amount of stress on your lower back.
And for people that smoke, the nicotine from smoking reduces blood flow to your spinal discs, which lead to degeneration and slower healing.
And even using a mattress that is unsupportive or even wearing shoes like high heels or other unsupported shoes can also alter your spinal alignment and lead to back problems.
To reduce these risks of back problems, you should take frequent breaks from sitting when possible to go for a walk, and use proper ergonomics when at a desk and engage in regular exercise.
Some good Chinese exercises for relieving back pain include, Ba Duan Jin, "Eight Pieces of Brocade, Ta Chi and also Qigong, which are the primary Chinese exercises for back pain.
These Chinese exercises for back pain combine slow, flow movements, deep breathing and meditation to help improve your posture, strengthen your core and lower back muscles, increase your spinal flexibility and alleviate pain.
Ba Duan Jin, Eight Pieces of Brocade is a set of 8 specific movements that are designed to cultivate energy and stretch your body, it's also highly recommended for reducing lower back pain.
Tai Chi is often described as meditation in motion, which is a martial art that focuses on gentle, controlled movements which loosen tight muscles and increase flexibility and Qigong combines soft and fluid motions with mindful breathing to release tension and improve mobility.
The habit that can reduce chronic back pain is regular and low impact exercises like swimming, yoga and even walking.
These habits and low impact exercises can reduce your chronic back pain by strengthening the supporting muscles and improving your flexibility.
You should also consistently maintain good posture, remain active and avoid prolonged sitting and also manage stress to reduce chronic back pain.
Engaging in at least 2 days a week of muscle strengthening and stretching exercises, and focus on the core, back and the legs and maintaining a straight, upright posture while sitting and standing to avoid unnecessary spine strain and you can also set times to get up and move every 20 minutes to 30 minutes.
When lifting, you should bend at the knees and keep your back straight and keep heavy objects that you're lifting close to your body and practice yoga, meditation or breathing exercises to reduce muscle tension.
And maintain a healthy weight to reduce back strain and quit smoking if you smoke as it restricts blood flow to your spinal discs and ensure you have a supportive mattress, pillows and comfortable shoes to prevent strain.
The side plank exercise is also good for lower back pain and back pain in general and is also very safe and effective, which also strengthens important spinal stabilizers to protect your spine for less back pain and lower back pain.
Although if you feel any sharp pain, stop the exercise and avoid sagging and don't let your hips sag, as this can aggravate your lower back.
And if you have any severe or chronic back pain, you should consult with a physical therapist or chiropractor.
The exercises that Mayo Clinic recommends for lower back pain are wall sits, supine heel slides, single leg abdominal press, cat-cow exercises, knee to chest stretch and pelvic tilts.
Mayo Clinic recommends that you do gentle exercises and stretches to relieve your lower back pain by focusing on core strength and flexibility, which is often very achievable in 15 minute a day.
To perform wall sits for lower back pain, lean against a wall and then slowly lower your hips to a squatting position, while you keep your back flat against the wall.
To perform supine heel slides for lower back pain, lay on your back and then slowly slide one of your legs out straight, then back up to the starting position.
To perform single leg abdominal press exercises for lower back pain, lay on your back, with your knees bent and raise one leg to a 90 degree angle, then push your hand against your knee while using your abdominal muscles to push your knee back.
To perform the cat-cow exercises for lower back pain, on your hands and knees, inhale and then slowly arch your back, "cow", then exhale and round your back, "cat".
To perform the knee to chest stretch for lower back pain, lay on your back, with your knees bent, then pull one knee up to your chest using both hands, then press your spine into the floor and hold for 5 seconds, then repeat with the other leg, then both together.
For the pelvic tilts for lower back pain, lay on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat, then tighten your abdominal muscles to flatten your back against the floor and hold for 5 seconds and then relax.
Walking also brings huge benefits for lower back pain because walking helps to promote blood flow to stiff muscles and increases endorphin production, which naturally reduces pain as well as strengthens core muscles and back muscles to support your spine.
Walking is a low impact exercise that improves flexibility in your hips as well as in your hamstrings, which also reduces inflammation and decompresses lumbar discs without placing excessive stress on your joints.