Managing Lower Back Pain within WHO’s Guidelines: A Chiropractic Perspective

Managing Lower Back Pain within WHO’s Guidelines: A Chiropractic Perspective

Introduction

Hi everyone, Dr. Brant Hulsebus here. Welcome to another edition of “Ask the Chiropractor.” This is my podcast where I answer questions about chiropractic care. I am a chiropractor in Rockford, Illinois, and I graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic. I’m also proud to be the team chiropractor for the Rockford IceHogs.  today’s topic is managing lower back pain.

Talking About the World Health Organization (WHO)

Today, let’s talk about the WHO, or the World Health Organization. You might not have known about the WHO before 2020, but with the COVID pandemic, I’m sure everyone has heard of them now. The WHO is a group of health experts from all around the world. They study and work on health problems that affect everyone.

WHO’s Research on Lower Back Pain

Recently, PUBMED, a website where doctors publish research, posted an article in January 2023. You can read it [here](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36963709/). The research is about how to help people with lower back pain. This pain can either stay in your lower back or travel down your leg, which is called radiculopathy.

Chiropractors and Lower Back Pain

Chiropractors, like me, use a treatment called spinal manipulative therapy. This means we make the bones in your back move again. When the bones move, it breaks up scar tissue, reduces swelling, and helps the vertebrae function properly. This type of therapy has been shown to help with lower back pain over and over again.

Why Do People Get Lower Back Pain?

People can get lower back pain for many reasons: 

• – If you’re overweight, 
• – If you don’t exercise,
• – If you’re older (gravity affects us all!),
• – If you smoke,
• – If you can’t stand on one foot without falling.

These factors can make it harder for your lower back pain to go away.

Chiropractic Adjustments: How They Help

Chiropractic adjustments help by making the bones in your spine move properly. This movement breaks up scar tissue, reduces swelling, and helps joints work the way they should. This type of care has been used by chiropractors since 1895. My grandpa started practicing in 1949 and my dad in 1975 – they both saw people get better with chiropractic care, and I see it too.

Why See a Chiropractor First?

If you’re having lower back pain, you should go to a chiropractor first. Waiting to see a chiropractor while trying other treatments, like medication, can make it harder to get better. If you’re already taking medication from a doctor, you can still see a chiropractor. The chiropractor can work with you safely.

Can’t Find Relief? Try a Different Chiropractor

If you’ve been going to a chiropractor and not getting better, try a different chiropractor or ask about including physical therapy in your treatment. Different techniques or extra help with muscles might be the key to your relief.

WHO’s Recommendation

Even though WHO does not specifically recommend chiropractic care, they do recommend spinal manipulative therapy. This is good news for chiropractors because it’s what we do best. 

Conclusion

If you, or someone you know, is dealing with lower back pain, consider seeing a chiropractor. If you’re unsure or have questions about chiropractic care, just ask a chiropractor. Check out the research yourself on PUBMED. 

Thanks for tuning in, and see you next week!

 

Read More about the WHO’s Research on Lower Back Pain:  LINK