Acknowledge Your Pain!

October 28, 2009Bytech

For over 30 years, at Tuck Chiropractic we have treated literally thousands of patients. Most assume patients who consult a chiropractor to be very active people such as construction workers or athletes. However, these patients make up a very small percent of our practice. Across America, 40-50% of people are suffering from chronic back pain.
The chronic pain patients we see have injuries commonly known as cumulative type traumas.
These would be defined as small injuries, accumulating over time, into a major injury. To explain this to patients, I use this example: If you were to walk on the side of your foot all the time, eventually you will sprain your ankle.
If you are in pain, these are important questions to answer:
Is my pain new or reoccurring?
If you have never had this pain before and you can attribute it to a specific injury or activity, there is a possibility that no care is needed. Our suggestion is to apply ice to the area of pain for periods no longer than 20 minutes. If the pain does not subside, seek professional advice. If it is a reoccurring type pain, you could be developing a chronic pain condition. It is best to address this immediately. We find some of our patients are developing degenerative joint disease, an irreversible condition.
What if I cannot attribute my pain to a specific event?
Do you engage in activity regularly (perhaps working at a computer or working on a factory line)? This activity, over time, creates the same result as a single trauma. If this is the situation, a “two-pronged” approach usually is necessary. First, you must address the injury to get it to heal. Second, you must look at your activities and do what is called an ergonomic analysis.
No matter what the cause of your pain, you do not have to live with it. Pain is a signal in your body that something is wrong and should be corrected. Some of our patients explain pain away as a sign of old age. Whether you are 17 or 97 there are things that can be done to relieve your pain and get you back to living your life to the fullest.