From pinched nerves to excessive muscle use to spinal misalignments, there are many reasons why someone can develop lower back pain. Estimated to impact as many as 31 million Americans at any given point in time, this common condition is not just painful — it can also decrease your mobility and cause you to miss work. Fortunately, there are several ways a chiropractor can help you discover relief in a non-medicated and non-invasive fashion. If you’re looking for a natural way to alleviate your back pain, here’s what you should know about chiropractic treatment and its benefits.

What Can a Chiropractor Do to Relieve Lower Back Pain?

Realign the Spine

When the joints in the spine, known as vertebrae, shift out of alignment, they can rub against each other, causing inflammation and irritation over time. With a comprehensive understanding of the body’s muscles, joints, and bones, chiropractors can easily pinpoint areas where misalignment has occurred. By applying pressure in a targeted, careful manner, these providers can safely readjust your spine to reduce pressure and restore normal function.

Release Pinched Nerves

Running through the back to the lower leg, the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body that’s responsible for sending a variety of signals to the brain. When the nerve becomes compressed, it can cause severe pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in the lower back and legs — a class of symptoms known as sciatica. If you exhibit signs of sciatica, a chiropractor can adjust joints to take pressure off the nerve and reduce pain signals.

Minimize Muscle Tension

Lower back muscles can become irritated or torn as a result of overuse or other injuries, such as those caused by improper lifting. If muscle problems are to blame for your lower back pain, a chiropractor may use therapeutic massage to minimize inflammation and promote healing to damaged tissues. After you recover, your specialist may also recommend a variety of exercises that can help strengthen your muscles and reduce the risk of future injury.

Correct Posture

When your body is held in a position that does not support the natural curve of the spine, you increase the risk of injuring your back. If a physical evaluation reveals that back problems are caused by poor posture, your chiropractor may prescribe a variety of solutions to help you sit and stand correctly. Some possible solutions include corrective exercises, targeted stretching, use of lumbar support devices, and weight management.

If lower back pain is affecting the quality of your life, Mid Rivers Chiropractic has the expertise and resources necessary to help you find relief. Through careful examination, this caring chiropractor of St. Charles County, MO, will determine the source of your symptoms. Depending on your diagnosis, this specialist will help minimize inflammation, reduce pain, and improve mobility through personalized treatments, including adjustment, acupuncture, and injury rehabilitation. Visit this clinic online to learn more about their treatment options, or call (636) 279-1400 to schedule a convenient consultation.