Acute and chronic back pain are two types of pain that affect the back and can have different causes, symptoms, and treatments. A local chiropractic orthopedist in Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania can help. A Fredericksburg chiropractor can be more accessible to treat your pain sooner, and more effectively, than the use of medication or surgery. With the additional physical therapy modalities commonly used, relief is obtained sooner than spinal manipulation alone.

Acute Back Pain Physical Therapy Modalities

Acute back pain is a sudden and severe pain that usually lasts for a short period of time, usually a few days to a few weeks. Specific events such as a strain, sprain, or injury cause this type of pain. A herniated disc, joint injury, or even something much more severe such as a vertebral fracture, can also cause acute back pain. If left untreated it can result in chronic back pain. Chronic tends to last longer than 3 months time.

A chiropractic orthopedist can be your first stop to evaluate acute back pain. With this type of management it can reduce the need for over the counter medications. They also identify and diagnose the problem. With diagnosis as the focus, you can receive the education you need on the condition and how to prevent further injury, as well as receiving treatment as soon as possible. Swift diagnosis and treatment can improve your prognosis. Acute low back pain, unless traumatic vertebral fracture that puts the spinal cord in danger, does not require immediate surgery. A Specialist like a chiropractic orthopedist is trained to identify conditions that cause acute back pain.

The use of spinal manipulation may be used if deemed appropriate. If the condition is too acute for the use of this technique, others can be performed to afford you the relief you need. The use of physical therapy modalities like interferential stimulation, continuous and pulsed ultrasound, flexion distraction, and spinal decompression may and can be used. With the use of physical therapy modalities like interferential stimulation, your body is stimulated to produce its own pain killers and relieve your pain.

Not all physical therapy modalities or procedures may be appropriate though. This is due to the specific nature of your condition that needs to be diagnosed. Such instances could include the use of stretches that create too much back extension, or seated leg stretches. These types of things have the potential to cause harm to the condition if it is not properly identified. In the case of an acute disc injury, seated stretches can progress the condition quickly into a larger problem. With a Fredericksburg chiropractor, proper physical examination is the first step to recovery. This may include x-rays.

Chronic Back Pain Physical Therapy Modalities

Chronic back pain, on the other hand, is a long-term pain that lasts for three months or more. A variety of factors cause this type of pain. They include a previous injury, a chronic condition such as arthritis, or a degenerative condition such as osteoarthritis. In addition, a structural problem in the spine, such as spinal stenosis can cause chronic back pain. Treatment for this type of back pain includes conservative care like chiropractic orthopedics, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Only consider adding in exercises once a diagnosis has been made by an orthopedic specialist like a chiropractic orthopedist. Once diagnosed the specialist can instruct you on whether exercise is right for you and your condition. They can also help you change your exercise to make sure that exercise is not the cause of your chronic condition.

Chronic back pain is usually effectively treated with not only physical therapy modalities, exercise, and spinal manipulation, but also with education. Sometimes the problem that leads to our pain is something that we do daily incorrectly. Chiropractor Fredericksburg, VA can help by asking you questions about your habits and identify whether these things are playing a role in the chronicity of your pain. It can be something as simple as sleeping habits.

The Key Difference Between Acute and Chronic Back Pain

The key difference between acute and chronic back pain is the duration of the pain. Acute back pain is a sudden and severe pain that usually lasts for a short period of time. On the other hand, chronic back pain is a long-term pain that lasts for three months or more.

If you are experiencing back pain, it is important to see a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They will be able to determine if your pain is acute or chronic, and then develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs. In most cases, acute back pain will improve with time and does not require surgery. 

It’s important to take care of your back and maintain a healthy lifestyle to prevent back pain. This includes regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding activities that put excessive stress on the back. Additionally, good posture and ergonomics can help prevent back pain.

In summary, acute and chronic back pain are two different types of pain that affect the back. Acute back pain is a sudden and severe pain that usually lasts for a short period of time, while chronic back pain is a long-term pain that lasts for three months or more. Both types of pain have different causes, symptoms, and treatments, and it is important to see a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Seeing a specialist like a chiropractic orthopedist gets you swift diagnosis and treatment regardless of condition. These types of specialists are also able to make referrals for advanced imaging and other forms of care keeping the time spent obtaining them to a minimum. Once diagnosis has been formulated Taking care of your back gets easier. Getting the education from your specialists helps you thing carefully and critically about your daily habits, and makes correcting them easier. Take care of your back by seeing a Chiropractor Fredericksburg, VA today.

Treatment options: Physical therapy, and spinal manipulation. Fredericksburg chiropractor

Physical therapy is a type of profession or provider that performs physical therapy modalities and physical medicine. These same forms of treatment can be provided by a Fredericksburg chiropractor. This is included in our scope of practice and allows you to seek care immediately without the need for referral. The added benefit of seeing a Fredericksburg chiropractor and chiropractic orthopedist, is the resources made available on the day of your first visit. This includes the use of x-rays on site, physical exam, laboratory services, diagnosis, and tailored treatment that starts the same day without the need of referral.

Spinal manipulation is the main form of treatment performed by the profession of chiropractic, with some physical therapists starting to utilize this form of treatment. Spinal manipulation, depending on diagnosis may or may not be used. Spinal manipulation has been very useful for back pain. Combined with physical therapy modalities, spinal manipulation can be more effective. Seeing a Fredericksburg chiropractor and chiropractic orthopedist can be a one stop shop for your recovery.

Are you suffering from acute or chronic back pain? Contact our Fredericksburg team of chiropractic orthopedists at Stine Chiropractic Clinic to schedule an appointment.