Pain Management Chiropractor in Andersonville, Chicago
Home » You suffer a muscle strain; maybe you pull your lower back. Where do you go to get help? Some will go to your primary care physician when you are dealing with pain to get a muscle relaxer or pain killer. If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Many people visit a chiropractor for back pain, neck pain, or headaches. But not all pain fits neatly into one category. At Ravenswood Chiropractic in Andersonville, Chicago, we help patients evaluate new pain, recurring issues, and long-standing discomfort to better understand what may be contributing to their symptoms. Pain can come from joints, muscles, nerves, discs, tendons, or movement patterns. Our goal is to identify what may be driving your pain and determine whether conservative care such as chiropractic treatment, Class IV Laser Therapy, or movement-based physical therapy may be appropriate. Patients come to our office for many different reasons. Some are dealing with new pain after activity or injury. Others notice pain that comes and goes, or symptoms that have gradually become more persistent over time. In some cases, pain may last for months or even years. When this happens, it can involve multiple factors such as tissue irritation, movement compensation, reduced strength, sleep disruption, or increased sensitivity in the nervous system. If you are dealing with longer-standing pain, you can also explore our guide on chronic pain: Chronic Pain Relief in Chicago
Chiropractic Care for Pain in Chicago
Your Guide to Chiropractic Care for Pain Management
Help for Pain That Is New, Recurring, or Long-Lasting
What is Chiropractic Care?
First, let’s break down what chiropractic care entails.
Chiropractic care focuses on the musculoskeletal system, including the spine, joints, and surrounding soft tissues. For some types of pain, conservative care may be an appropriate starting point before considering more invasive options. When needed, we also help guide patients toward additional evaluation or co-management to ensure they are receiving the right type of care for their condition.
When pain affects your daily life, identifying the source is an important first step. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, our approach looks at how joints, muscles, nerves, and movement patterns may be contributing to discomfort. From there, we help determine whether chiropractic care or other conservative options may be appropriate based on your presentation.
What Conditions Does a Chiropractor Treat?
“Isn’t that the thing where they crack your neck?”
This is usually the first idea that people think about when it comes to chiropractic, but neck adjustments are a small piece of a much larger puzzle.
What’s more, everyone’s course of treatment will differ, so not everyone who comes into a chiropractic office will require a neck adjustment.
Here are the various conditions that chiropractic can treat:
Overall Chiropractic Pain Management
Lower back pain and sciatica are the most common reasons that someone seeks out a chiropractor. Back pain is the number one reported complaint in offices of both doctors and chiropractors.
Studies show that spinal manipulation is more effective than prescription medication for treating lower back pain. [1]
Connected with the back, chiropractic care can also take care of pain in your neck and shoulders. Pain in these areas usually comes from poor posture and sitting at a computer during the day. A course of chiropractic care has been shown to reduce pain in the neck and shoulders. [2]
All Types of Joint Pain
From overuse injuries like Tennis Elbow (Tendinitis) to degenerative diseases such as arthritis, chiropractic care can help relieve all types of joint pain.
Chiropractors see patients primarily for ankle, elbow, knee, and shoulder pain, but all connective tissue pain can be treated in the office.
The course of treatment will vary based on which joint feels the pain and the cause of that pain. Still, chiropractic care options could include massage therapy, physical therapy, or acupuncture. We’ll discuss these treatments in more detail below.
Headaches and Migraines
If you suffer from migraines, there’s a good chance you’ve tried multiple forms of medication. What’s more, you’re probably tired of having to carry that medication with you no matter where you go as a precautionary measure.
Or maybe you suffer from constant headaches that are more frustrating and annoying than excruciating. Either way, you want your freedom back.
Many of the treatment options you’ll find in a chiropractic office help treat headaches and migraines at the source, reducing the frequency and intensity. In some cases, chiropractic eliminates the issue.
Accidents and Injuries
Whether it’s a fall or a car accident, these types of injuries can cause trauma in the neuromuscular system, especially along the spine.
Aside from resolving the inflammation caused by the accident, chiropractic aims to restore the tissue to its healthiest and most functional state. This will ensure you can return to an independent lifestyle without the need for additional assistance from a person or device like a pair of crutches.
Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful experiences a woman can go through, but it also brings some aches and pains from postural distortions.
For example, many women develop pain throughout the body, especially on the neck, shoulders, lower back, and feet.
What’s more, women can also experience constipation, trouble breathing, and tingling or numbness.
Chiropractic care can alleviate the symptoms caused by postural distortions that develop during pregnancy, making those nine months more enjoyable and memorable.
Sports and Athletes
For athletes, chiropractic care can help in three ways:
First, it directly addresses painful symptoms that are happening now. For example, if an athlete is experiencing muscle tightness, massage therapy can help.
Second, it prevents future strains or injuries from occurring. By restoring optimal muscle length-tension relationships, chiropractic care can reduce the risk of strain or postural distortion injuries.
Finally, chiropractic care can promote athletic performance by assisting with tissue recovery.
The First Step: A Chiropractic Assessment
Getting a chiropractic or functional movement assessment is an essential first step in getting better. Here’s what to expect during your first visit:
Every patient is unique, and every patient’s condition is different. Before a chiropractor can provide a treatment plan for you, it will be necessary to understand the symptoms, the cause of those symptoms, and your medical history.
During your first visit, you will speak directly with the chiropractor, and you will go through several standard testing procedures to further determine the location and severity of your symptoms.
Before you leave, you will have a complete treatment program that details what types of services you need along with the frequency of visits.
Matching the Solution to the Problem
Chiropractic care is a generic term that encompasses several proven and effective treatments for pain management.
Adjustments: Chiropractic adjustments focus on manipulating the skeleton to promote natural movement patterns and proper healing.
Radial shockwave therapy: is a non-invasive treatment method that uses high-energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing in the affected area. This therapy is commonly used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, plantar fasciitis, and tendonitis. The shockwaves are delivered through a handheld device that is pressed against the skin. The energy from the shockwaves triggers a series of chemical reactions that promote increased blood flow, the release of growth factors, and the reduction of inflammation and pain. Overall, radial shockwave therapy is an effective and safe treatment option for individuals looking to manage their pain without the use of medication or surgery.
Class IV laser therapy: is a non-invasive treatment method that utilizes a high-powered laser to penetrate deep into the tissue and stimulate healing. This therapy is commonly used to treat conditions such as chronic pain, arthritis, and sports injuries. The laser emits a specific wavelength of light that is absorbed by the cells in the affected area. This absorption triggers a series of chemical reactions that promote increased blood flow, the release of endorphins, and the reduction of inflammation and pain. Overall, class IV laser therapy is an effective and safe treatment option for individuals looking to manage their pain without the use of medication or surgery.
Electrostimulation: A muscle is stimulated by electrical pulses that force it to contract and release.
Physical Therapy: This type of therapy focuses on restoring natural movement and bodily strength through a combination of stretches and exercises.
Start on the Road to Relief
Not sure if chiropractic is right for your pain or condition? Give us a call at 773-878-7330 to set up a pain evaluation to see if chiropractic care for pain management is right for you.
References
- Ruddock JK, Sallis H, Ness A, Perry RE. Spinal Manipulation Vs Sham Manipulation for Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Chiropr Med. 2016 Sep;15(3):165-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.04.014. Epub 2016 May 25. PMID: 27660593; PMCID: PMC5021904.
- Hurwitz EL, Morgenstern H, Harber P, Kominski GF, Yu F, Adams AH. A randomized trial of chiropractic manipulation and mobilization for patients with neck pain: clinical outcomes from the UCLA neck-pain study. Am J Public Health. 2002;92(10):1634-1641. doi:10.2105/ajph.92.10.1634.
