New ACP's Guidelines For Treating Low Back Pain

The American College of Physicians has issued new guidelines for noninvasive treatment of low back pain, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, on Feb 14, 2017. The guidelines focus on treatment of acute, sub-acute and chronic low back pain through non-drug therapies, including superficial heat, massage, acupuncture and spinal manipulation or chiropractic. Physicians in the past have been known to recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), yet research has shown this to be ineffective for many low back pain sufferers causing prolonged use or leading to many patients seeking other forms of treatments. We can all agree that no one is suffering from back pain due to a lack of Advil of NSAIDs in their bloodstream.

Low back pain is the 2nd most common reason for visits to a physician in the US. Due to prolonged sitting in the workplace and other various factors, cases of low back pain in the United States seem to be growing at a staggering rate. About one-quarter of U.S adults reported symptoms of lower back pain lasting for at least one day in the past three months.

In general, if the pain lasts for less than four weeks is is termed acute, while it's deemed as sub-acute if it lasts for four to twelve weeks. Chronic lower back pain typically last for more than twelve weeks. 

“For treating chronic conditions of lower back pain, physicians should recommend therapies having lower potential threats and cheaper costs." "Doctors should rigorously avoid prescribing costly therapies, particularly those with substantial harms, such as opioids (as they may cause addiction and accidental overdose) and pharmacologic therapies that weren't really found to be effective,” writes Amir Qaseem, MD, PhD, MHA and ACP guidelines committee's chairman.

ACP reviewed randomized controlled tests and systematic reviews of studies demonstrating the potency of non-invasive, non-drug and drug therapies for low back pain to generate these guidelines. The research from ACP supports non-drug based techniques ranging from tai chi for chronic back pain sufferers to acupuncture and oriental medicine for acute lower back pain cases.

The evidence clearly discourages the use of acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) as it is found to be ineffective in correcting the cause of pain and is the #1 cause of preventable liver failure in the United States. In addition, the guidelines recommend not to use opioids as they come with substantial harm, are addictive and may create further risks of accidental overdose. 

ACP strongly recommends following the below mentioned guidelines -

1. Physicians shouldn't prescribe costly treatments and tests to their patients. First-line therapy should include non-drug therapy such as superficial heat, massage, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation or chiropractic. In cases where the pain is affecting the patient's quality of life or activities of daily living NSAIDs or muscle relaxants can be suggested to the patient for short-term use.

2. Physicians should recommend patients suffering from chronic back pain to opt for physical therapy, exercise, acupuncture, multidisciplinary rehabilitation, tai chi, yoga, motor control exercise (MCE), progressive relaxation, electromyography biofeedback, low-level laser therapy, operant therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, spinal manipulation or chiropractic.

3. Consider NSAIDs only if non-drug therapy fails to show any positive outcomes. Consider tramadol or duloxetine as secondary treatments when other treatments render sub-optimal results. Cases that couldn't be treated using first and secondary therapies and wherein risks outweigh the benefits, the use of opioids can be considered, however, this must be the last option to treating back pain cases.

Acupuncture and Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common problems that people generally face on account of long-term sitting or frequent bending of the spine to pull heavy loads. Many people got frustrated and discouraged in the past seeking treatment for their lower back pain because symptoms can persist even after prolonged medication.

Acupuncture offers an alternative way to successfully heal problems of lower back pain and is often recommended to patients by their medical doctor or doctor of chiropractic.

Causes of Back Pain

Thousands of people every year suffer lower back pain. It is considered as the second most common reason people in the US go to see a doctor. Low back pain generally affects the spine's flexibility, strength and stability, which may become a reason for your back-pain, stiffness and discomfort.

There are several reasons behind why people suffer from back pain. Let's read a few of them.

• Growing older – Back pain can start at any age. Symptoms may worsen from 40 to 50 years-age.
• Physical activity– Physical activities such as pulling, bending, reaching or sitting in a bad position can lead to worsening of symptoms.
• Overweight – Being overweight is a common causes of back and disc problems.
• Chronic illness – A chronic illness such as arthritis, or cancer can also be a cause of the problem.
• Muscle imbalances or weaknesses are responsible for numerous cases of back pain. Sitting or standing for long hours can increase these imbalances causing increased pain.

Acupuncture as a treatment for back pain

Acupuncture began in China nearly 2,500 years ago. Traditional Chinese medicine states that there are around 2,000 points in a human body which are connected by pathways or meridians, responsible for creating the flow of energy, also known as Qi (or Chee). Stimulating these points through inserting thin needles helps balance Qi and improve the flow of energy. Acupuncturist restore a constant flow of energy throughout the body relieving long term pain and improving overall health.

Acupuncture works by -

1. Balancing signaling and energy flow of the nervous system

2. Allowing transmission of pain-killing chemicals such as endorphins.

3. Speeding the release of natural opioids (chemicals in the brain that are believed to promote pain relief and sleep).

4. Improving the brain chemistry by transforming the release of neurotransmitters and neurohormones.

If you have back pain and need treatment, doctors at South OC Chiropractic can help. Call + 1 (949) 470-4757 to get in touch and start receiving the care that you need to heal your back pain.

Chiropractic Is Modern Day Healthcare

Chiropractic is the combination of science and art focusing on healing the body from the inside out. Chiropractic restores the natural healing abilities of the body by focusing on the nervous system which controls every aspect and function in our body. In a society where our current medical care system focuses on the symptomatology of illness rather than addressing the underlying cause of the problem many patients are confused as to which type of treatment will lead to the greatest long term results for their condition. Prescription medications focus on healing the body from the outside in, leaving the underlying cause of the problem remaining because only symptoms were addressed. There are zero people in the world who suffer from headaches due to a lack of Advil in their blood stream, yet people continue to medicate the symptoms without ever understanding why the problem exists. Thus, many times medications provide a short term solution but that can come riddled with side effects and leave a long-term problem to get worse. Doctors of Chiropractic analyze and test for the underlying cause of disease or ailments and use gentle chiropractic adjustments and proper nutrition to achieve the best results possible. In fact, certain techniques of chiropractic care such as bone setting and spinal manipulation have long been used since ancient Egypt. In our modern day healthcare system chiropractic has emerged to be the #1 used complimentary and alternative medicine in America.   

Since 1895 chiropractic care has been used to detect and correct subluxations helping patients with everything from back pain to hearing loss. In todays healthcare system chiropractic treatments helps migraines, neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain, herniated or bulging discs and numerous other ailments. At South Orange County Chiropractic we also have a doctor of physical therapy and acupuncture with many massage therapists on staff to provide patients with the best treatment possible allowing them to achieve their healthiest body in an all natural way.    

Who is recommended for treatment?

Chiropractic treatment is not only a great way to relieve symptoms of pain and immobility after injury but it is also the perfect addition to your healthcare routine to ensure proper functioning of your nervous system. Treatment can be offered to anyone from infants to adults. In fact majority of Americans can benefit from visiting a chiropractor to have their spine checked for subluxations or spinal misalignments. Chiropractors are trained to analyze and detect these misalignments of a person's joints and by adjusting them back into place it restores structural integrity and proper function to prevent future problems or arthritis.     

What do chiropractors look for?   

Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed healthcare professionals specialized in providing care for problems related to your spine and nervous system. They locate bio-mechanical pathologies causing neurological compromise, also known as subluxations, which cause decreased neurological signaling between your brain and the rest of your body. These dysfunctions or subluxations are often caused due to poor posture, stress, chemical imbalances, trauma such as a car accident or poor lifestyle choices. In a modern world there are numerous causes of subluxations and chiropractors are the only healthcare professional trained to properly analyze and correct this problem.

How can a chiropractor help?   

Patients undergoing chiropractic care can have the following benefits -   

Improved mobility of joints
Improved posture
Fewer injuries
Less pain
Elimination of Sciatica
Improved balance
Decreased numbness and tingling
Improved athletic performance
Fewer migraines
Decreased Scoliosis
Less Arthritis pain, etc.

Is Chiropractic care equally beneficial for kids?

Yes, kids can be equally benefitted from chiropractic care. In fact, many problems adults face can be prevented if detected early enough. Many spinal problems start young and can grow over time. Thus, getting your kids checked by a chiropractor can help keep them healthy throughout all stages of their growth and development. 

Parents often notice the following benefits after seeking chiropractic care for their kids:

Increased athletic performance
Decreased chance of injury
Improved bed wetting
Stronger immune system
Improved digestion
Decreased ADHD symptoms
Improved skin conditions
Fewer ear infections, etc. 

Conclusion

Chiropractic is a gentle and effective way to heal numerous problems of the human body naturally. This in many cases makes it a superior option over other healthcare modalities available that can put dangerous chemicals into the body not always providing optimal results. If you are looking for a treatment that is effective, natural and affordable Chiropractic care is the best option for you. Call 949-470-4757 for more information.