journaljunkie

Are chiropractors good for back problems? For some people the answer is a big yes. The manipulation and methods of a chiropractor along with the correct follow up care can make a big difference in some back problems. Most of these are the more acutely painful back problems that do persist for a really long time. If you strained your lower back lifting an object or just working around the house, or when playing a sport, you may have caused back spasms and pain. A chiropractor can offer you relief for this. They can also give you a plan to help you stay pain free.
If you have degenerative discs though, the condition where the discs in your spine are actually hardening and literally disappearing, a chiropractor can possibly provide some temporary relief from pain, but you will not eliminate the problem.
Chiropractors adjust or manipulate the spine. They will move your joints beyond the usual range of motion, keeping within the range of motion that the joint is supposed to move through. This is why a patient will hear popping or cracking noises during chiropractic adjustment.
Using ice on the area can relieve the pain too, and then if you are able to follow up with exercises for the back it will help maintain it.
The best exercises for the back are stretches, which done properly can alleviate a lot of the pain and strengthen muscles that help support the spine. Your abdominal muscles also need this kind of strengthening as they will assist in keeping the back pain free.