Back Pain Treatment in Nixa MO

Are you looking for a top Nixa Chiropractor to help with your back pain?

Pain is the body's warning system. Some people use muscle relaxers and painkillers to silence their back pain. But that is like removing the battery to quiet a smoke detector--it may stop the noise, but the fire is allowed to continue to grow!

Two Common Causes of Back Pain in Nixa

Many patients will say they believe they have a "pinched nerve". There are two common causes of this:

1. The facet joints on the back side of each spinal bone (vertebra) are made to interlock and move. The spinal discs are located between each set of vertebrae. This gives you the ability to bend, twist, and turn. nerves exit the spine between each set of vertebrae. If these vertebrae are moved out of their proper alignment, they may restrict your movement and put pressure on the nerves. Chiropractors call this a "subluxation".

2. There may be a problem with the discs between the spinal bones (vertebrae). The spinal discs allow for shock absorption and help keep pressure off of the nerves. Trauma, such as an accident, injury, or just years of hard labor, can cause the soft material in the middle of the disc to bulge outward or tear through the outer wall of the disc tissues (disc herniation).

A disc bulge is usually formed over time due to disc degeneration. A disc herniation usually occurs as an already degenerated disc receives trauma. This bulge, or herniation, puts pressure on the nerves.

In both cases, the pressure causes the nerves to send a signal to the brain in the form of pain. Pain is a warning signal that tells your brain that something is amiss.

If the problem causing the pain is unresolved, it will continue to deteriorate, causing more damage. This may cause the pain to increase and travel along the nerve from the back into the extremities. Neck pain may result in headaches, even continuing migraine headaches.

Neck and upper back pain may result in pain and numbness down the arm and into the hand. Lower back pain may travel down the leg, causing pain and numbness in the leg and foot.

As your condition worsens, you may find movement, such as bending, twisting, reaching and lifting, becoming more restricted and even painful.

Your Choices for Resolving Back Pain

Ignore it and hope it will go away (The body may try to solve the problem itself, adapting to a "new shape". It may build bony bridges, or bone spurs to help adjust. Although the pain may go away now, it could be the basis for more serious problems in the future, as the problem will continue to deteriorate without intervention. This is often called "silent degeneration", as you are not aware of the damage until it becomes severe.
Bed Rest (This may actually make the problem worse, as nerves can be irritated by your sleeping position or as you twist and turn during sleep.)
Muscle Relaxers or Pain Relievers (These will relieve the symptoms, but do not solve the underlying problem, which can lead to the same issues as ignoring it entirely.)
Physical Therapy (This can be helpful when combined with spinal adjustments to correct subluxations or disc conditions). Without adjustments or proper stretching of the area, this can make the problem worse.)
Chiropractic adjustments and therapy to correct spinal misalignments and disc problems. (This addresses the cause of the pain so that the problem can be resolved.)
Surgery (The most serious last resort. Surgery permanently alters the function of your spine. It can decrease range of motion and can compromise the function of the joint. Many patients continue to have pain even after surgery. However, some conditions are so serious that there is no other option.

How Your Chiropractor in Nixa Can Help

Specific chiropractic adjustments can help the vertebrae move back to their proper positions. By restoring your body's natural function, the stress on the nerves is relieved, pain is eased, normal movement is restored, and often discs and soft tissues can heal.

It usually takes a series of adjustments for the vertebrae to retain their proper position. This is why chiropractors recommend a treatment program, with their patients receiving adjustments 2-3x a week, and then increasing the time between adjustments as the body adapts and the vertebrae hold their proper position.

When their treatment program has ended, some patients desire adjustments on a regular schedule to maintain their alignment and prevent pain or restrictions and enjoy optimum health. The spinal nerves innervate all the organs of the body, and keeping proper alignment helps your body to function at its best level, so you can enjoy life more!

If further help is needed for disc involvement, our office offers spinal decompression therapy. In conjunction with chiropractic adjustments, this can bring healing to the discs and ligaments of the lumbar or cervical area and help speed healing and recovery. relieving the stress on the nerves and eliminating pain. For more information on spinal decompression therapy, click here.

Why Choose Nixa Chiropractor Plus to Resolve Your Back Pain?

Dr. Hunter Greenwood DC ND at Nixa Chiropractor Plus has helped thousands of patients with difficult and chronic conditions find pain relief and healing with safe and natural methods. Dr. Greenwood uses a variety of techniques, including many that he has developed himself in his over 40+ years of practice.

As a naturopathic physician, he also utilizes a variety of herbal and nutritional supplements to help you feel your best and return to the activities you love most without pain or restriction of motion!

If you need help from a Nixa chiropractor, Call us at (417) 725-6655 or click the link below to schedule an appointment today!

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