Physical pain is a thing that many people experience. Many are seeking relief from different kinds of pain. Pain may be in any area of your body including the back, head, legs, arms, or neck. Regardless of the kind of pain or it's location, you will be given options for your care. Chiropractic care and pain medications are among the common treatment options available that people can choose from to relieve their pain.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care involves hands-on treatment and manipulation of the spine combined with other alternative treatments to provide relief from pain. It is a treatment procedure that does not involve surgery or medication. Through the assessment of the musculoskeletal structures of the body, a treatment plan is made to relieve your symptoms.

Together with conventional medical treatment, chiropractic treatment is used to relieve pain in soft tissues, bones, joints, and muscles. The manipulation that is done on the body during the treatment helps in restoring the mobility of joints that have been restricted by injury to the tissue. The manipulation also has an effect on your nervous system and this has been proposed to decrease pain.

Chiropractic care focuses on both acute and chronic pain. Manipulating the spine during chiropractic care is a safe and efficient option for most acute lower back pain. It is also helpful in treating headaches and neck pain. Your chiropractor will let you know if a manipulation is appropriate for your stage of healing.

Prescription Pain Medication

The consumption of prescription medications for pain is very common. Patients may see prescription pain medication as a "quick fix" for their pain but presciption medication may come with it's side effects including addiction in some cases. Also, medication may only be "masking" the pain, but not directly addressing the root cause of the pain (such as a stiff joint or strained muscle).

Chiropractic Care vs. Pain Medication

When it comes to pain, you may be given the option of medication or chiropractic care. Chiropractic care may be considered less risky as compared to the consumption of certain prescription pain medications. Here is a detailed comparison between the two options to give you an idea of which one may be the best option for you.

1. Costs

Long term medication costs can add up, especially if you do not have insurance coverage. Some prescribed pain medications such as topical pain creams may not be covered by your insurance.

Chiropractic care is often covered by insurance. You may only need a few visits to address your concerns. Moreover, you may be asked to follow an exercise routine or change in lifestyle that will help you self-manage your pain at home at no cost.

2. Fixing the Problem

Prescription pain medication often provides relief to the pain but it may not fix the underlying cause of your pain such as joint stiffness or muscle weakness.  The problem may return as the effect of the drug wears off. For example, a headache that goes away after taking medication but comes back soon after, may be a sign to get your neck assessed by a chiropractor. The headache may actually be caused by dysfunction in any of the neck structures, or by your posture.

With chiropractic care, the root source of the problem is addressed. Just like a pain reliever, the pain is also managed, but long term solutions and prevetion of recurrence strategies are discussed. The source of this pain for many people could be the muscles, spine, or connecting joints. Addressing the cause of the pain can lead to long-term pain solutions for many conditions.

3. Safety & Side Effects 

A lot of pain relievers, including over the counter medications, have side effects. Some common pain medications can cause stomach ulcers for example. Other common pain medication side effects include drowsiness & nausea.  These side effects may become severe if usage is frequent and for a long time. Pain medications may also not be safe for nursing or pregnant mothers, the elderly, and children.

The treatment process for chiropractic care is considered more natural. It is considered safe since your chiropractor will complete an indepth assessment to rule-out any serious pathology or risk. Generally speaking, this treatment is for people of all ages. Pregnant and nursing mothers, the young and the old, can all benefit from this natural form of pain relief from pain.

Conclusion

Chiropractic treatment is a great option when you are in pain. Your chiropractor is knowledgeable in various muscle and joint conditions and will be able to screen you for serious pathology and create a treatment plan suited to your needs.   Your chiropractor will provide you with lots of education about your condition, and teach you techniques that can be carried out and maintained at home for long-term relief.

Ultimately, you may be best suited for a combination of treatment. For example, short-term medication may decrease the severity and irritability of your symptoms so that you can comfortably complete chiropractic care and exercise.

Make an appointment with a chiropractor to help you with your pain today! Chiropractic care may be your solution to long-lasting pain.