Do I Need Rehabilitation for My Back Pain?

You’re sick of it—your back pain is interfering with your ability to move comfortably, and it just never seems to go away for long before it comes back. You decide to go to a chiropractor for a few visits to readjust your spine and relieve your pain, but they recommend coming on a consistent basis even after the pain subsides for rehabilitation. What is exactly is rehabilitation? Do you really need these additional appointments? Read on to learn more about this important part of successful chiropractic care.

What Rehabilitation Is

When a patient experiences severe back pain, the first priority is reducing this pain through realigning the spine and other effective treatments with more immediate results. Although these initial treatments are undoubtedly beneficial for patients, rehabilitation therapy goes a step further. Rehabilitation is focused on retraining and strengthening the muscle structures around the spine to keep it in proper alignment in the long term.

Why Rehabilitation Matters

In many cases, patients are concerned primarily about relieving the pain they feel in the moment, but this is just one small facet of chiropractic care. When rehabilitation is included as well, the pain is much less likely to return in the future. Basically, by strengthening the spinal musculature, patients can resolve the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. Without the proper and consistent rehabilitation, the pain will keep coming back and impacting quality of life, perhaps for many years to come. As a result, patients can become dependent on pain medications and suffer much longer than necessary.

What Rehabilitation Looks Like

Before your back pain can be addressed through treatment, it is important to start with an accurate diagnosis and understanding of the cause behind it. As a result, your chiropractor will likely take X-rays and other advanced analytic tests. Once they have identified the underlying issue, they can customize treatment and rehabilitation exercises accordingly. Each patient may require a unique plan to meet their needs, such as core strengthening exercises, but the end goal is the same across the board—for the patient to feel no pain and to have easier range of motion.

During your rehab appointments, your chiropractor can demonstrate exercises that build up support for healthy posture and stronger back and abdominal muscles. You may even be able to do these exercises on your own at home Implementing them into your lifestyle can help your body naturally prevent chronic back pain.

In the end, it is worth taking the time and effort to undergo rehabilitation after you’ve experienced back pain. This simple, yet advanced, therapy can make a significant difference That way, you can enjoy better mobility and better long-term well-being.

About the Author

As a native to Naples, Dr. Chad Wills has been happy to serve patients in his hometown for 20 years. In his continuing education, he has studied chiropractic biophysics, laser therapy, injury biomechanics, and much more. If you have questions about rehabilitation or would like to make an appointment with Dr. Wills, you can contact him at Wills Chiropractic by calling (239) 331-6060 or clicking here.