What Chiropractic Can Do For Your Back Pain — And Why You Should Try It

Back pain affects millions of people every year, causing a great deal of discomfort and inconvenience to a vast majority of the global population. In Singapore alone, lower back pain is the second leading cause of disability, affecting at least 80% of adults in the country[1][2].
Over-the-counter pain medication and muscle relaxants are among the most common non-invasive back pain treatments in Singapore, albeit not the best long-term solution. In fact, there are safer alternatives to pharmacological back pain treatments. Among the most popular are physical therapy and exercise, mindfulness and meditation, diet and lifestyle modification; acupuncture and massage; and laser therapy and electrical nerve stimulation[3].
Invasive back pain treatments may be warranted and imperative in extreme cases, where all other methods have been exhausted and proven ineffective. These include cortisone injections to address nerve root inflammation; radiofrequency ablation essentially to damage the nerves that signal pain to the brain; implanted nerve stimulators for blocking pain signals; and back surgery such as for those in advanced stages of herniated disks[4].
However, there is one type of back pain treatment that stands out in terms of cost, safety, and health benefits vis-a-vis other non-invasive and invasive back pain treatments that are available in Singapore. An extensive consumer survey shows that among the popular alternative health treatments today, chiropractic was found more effective than medication, massage, yoga, pilates, and OTC drugs in managing back pain[5].
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches — learn more about our Head to Toe Chiropractic Care.
To set the record straight, chiropractic is not a new age therapy but rather, one of the oldest forms of medicine in the world. ‘Chiropractic’ comes from the Greek cheir (hand) and praktos (done) — “done by hand.” Although its origins as a manual healing method go back to ancient times, chiropractic as a profession started in the late 19th century. Daniel David Palmer is recognised as the Father of Chiropractic, being the first professional to perform chiropractic adjustment in 1895. Two years later, Palmer founded the first chiropractic school in Iowa[6].
At its core, chiropractic is rooted on the premise that a normally functioning nervous system — the spine, muscles, and joints included — is a significant factor in good health. Moreover, spinal adjustments can be used to restore or enhance nerve function. A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which a chiropractor uses the hands or a small instrument to apply carefully controlled and calculated pressure to a spinal joint. The goal of this procedure is to enhance spinal motion toward improving physical function. Chiropractic adjustments can positively impact organ systems throughout the body, and may even lead to secondary benefits such as boosting the immune system and contributing to mental wellness, among others.
In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of chiropractic and the wonders it can do for your back pain. With this we hope you can make an informed decision as to the reason chiropractic care may be the right option for you when it comes to addressing, managing, or treating back pain.
Provide Immediate Pain Relief
Those who have experienced it would attest that they felt a sense of release and relaxation after their session. Chiropractic adjustment feels really good and instantaneously eliminates pain. That’s because spinal manipulation has been shown to promote the release of endorphins, which has an analgesic effect to help relieve pain. Chiropractic adjustment is not painful, so don’t let the popping sound you hear alarm you. The sound is caused by air bubbles being released between two joints, and not at all the sound of bones cracking. At most, one may occasionally experience mild soreness or aching the day following treatment (as with some form of exercise), which usually dissipates in a day or two.
However, as what was mentioned previously about chiropractic adjustments being able to positively impact organ systems throughout the body, its long-term health benefits must likewise be emphasised. While chiropractic care relieves the symptoms of back conditions, it also effectively corrects underlying health issues, yielding long-term results.
Improve Nerve Function
When your spine is out of alignment, it can put pressure on your nerves, which in turn can lead to weakness in your extremities. The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the human body. It originates from the low back and travels into the leg along the line of the buttock. The sciatic nerve has branches that innervate the movement and feeling of the thigh, knee, calf, foot and toes. Sciatica begins when the sciatic nerve is compressed, inflamed or injured. This can occur anywhere along the path of the nerve. Furthermore, it can affect the areas that the nerve innervates. Chiropractic adjustments help take the pressure off of your nerves and subsequently improves nerve function.
Help Manage Osteoporosis
In a natural, healthy, and lifelong cycle, osteoblasts and osteoclasts maintain the balance by regulating the body’s bone formation and bone loss functions. Bone diseases such as osteoporosis stem from an imbalance in these cells[7]. Chiropractic care helps stimulate osteoblast production by enhancing the body’s natural healing process. To illustrate, one of our patients, Mme. Tan wrote, “I had two falls prior to seeing the doctor at Kissun Chiropractic. I suffer from arthritis, lupus and severe osteoporosis and thought nothing could ever help. But now…(The) severe pain I suffered from my falls are greatly reduced…Today I am able to walk, stand and even do light chores, which at one point was impossible.”
Provide A Cost-Effective Treatment
Studies show that regular visits to a chiropractor could cut your pharmaceutical expenses 85% and the likelihood of being hospitalised by 60%. Additionally, the cost of chiropractic adjustment for lower back pain treatment is considerably less than a medical treatment[8][9]. At Kissun Chiropractic, we pride ourselves on delivering quality chiropractic care at affordable midrange prices. You don’t have to buy a package to begin treatment with us and can pay per treatment. We also have various treatment plans available for those who prefer to enjoy the cost savings from buying a package, some of which can be shared within the family. However, it is entirely the discretion of the patient to pay per treatment session or purchase a plan.
Ease Back Pain During Pregnancy
As many of our female patients have proven, chiropractic is safe during pregnancy. With the protruding abdomen, increased back curvature, and pelvic and postural changes, the aches and pain are inevitable. Chiropractic adjustments provide relief from the increased low back pain, especially in the early stages, without having to take medication, which could be harmful to both mother and child. Chiropractic is crucial to keeping the spine aligned and the entire body working effectively. At Kissun Chiropractic, we value-add our chiropractic adjustments with posture, exercise, nutrition, and ergonomic advice to help the mum-to-be enjoy a healthy and fairly comfortable pregnancy.
Address Scoliosis Symptoms
Back pain is not usually a symptom in most cases of adult scoliosis, but it may develop due to the body’s inability to stand and move properly. Scoliosis is a condition that causes the spine to have an abnormal curve, either S- or C-shaped, when it should be straight. In the worst cases, scoliosis can affect heart and lung functions. Chiropractic is a good non-surgical option for assessment, treatment and monitoring of scoliosis. It cannot straighten the spine completely, but can help improve the spine curvature, manage the pain, and prevent disability. At Kissun Chiropractic, the treatment for scoliosis will be based on the patient’s age, curve pattern and size, and the rate of progression of the condition.
Contribute To Mental Wellness
For most of us Singaporeans, spending most of the day behind our desks is nothing out of the ordinary. Quite literally, we carry the stress on our back, causing us to slouch, lean to one side, or sit awkwardly. These “stress positions” often go unnoticed and can have a negative impact on every system in your body, including the musculoskeletal, endocrine, and nervous systems — feeding into the cycle of chronic stress. With regular chiropractic adjustments, however, the body can heal and strengthen, realigning and readjusting naturally. Moreover, consistently visiting your chiropractor even when you’re not in pain significantly improves emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Eliminate Sleep-Related Back Pain
A restful night’s sleep is essential to our overall health, replenishing our energy and allowing our body to recover from the exertions of the day. But did you know that your sleep posture and even your mattress or pillows may be the culprits for your persistent back pain? You may be getting a full 7 to 8 hours of sleep, but if you are not sleeping in the right position, it can cause or worsen back pain.
Chiropractic adjustment can help with the pain by addressing the tension and stiffness. Our patients attest that they go to sleep easier, and have deeper, more restful sleep after their session. What’s more, our doctors at Kissun Chiropractic can provide advice about the right mattress and pillow for you.
Why Choose Kissun Chiropractic In Singapore
Here at Kissun Chiropractic, we are driven by our mission to promote wellness, resolve pain and suffering, and restore and maintain optimal health as swiftly as possible through providing the best quality chiropractic care to the community in Singapore.
Dr Richard Edward Kissun is the Founding Director and Principal Chiropractor at Kissun Chiropractic. He is an Australian chiropractor from Sydney, Australia who has been practising in Singapore for over a decade now. Dr Kissun is highly sought after for his vast knowledge and expertise in treating both routine and complex neuromusculoskeletal conditions (nerves, muscles, bones, skull and spine).
As part of his commitment to public service, Dr Kissun gives his time to educating the general public by conducting health seminars and spinal screenings in corporate organisations, schools, community centres, and even churches. All our Doctors of Chiropractic are Australian Trained and Registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and insured. This means they are accountable to a higher, more vigorous standard than other chiropractors in Singapore who may not be certified, registered with their home countries, or insured.
Kissun Chiropractic is a trusted and leading Chiropractic clinic in Singapore offering affordable and effective treatments for all ages in the community. We are experienced in treating routine and complex neuromusculoskeletal conditions such as headaches, neck, shoulder and backaches, osteoarthritis, scoliosis, sciatica, pregnancy aches and pains, sports injuries, performing ergonomic assessments and postural checks. Patients’ conditions are managed through natural, safe, non-invasive, drug and surgery free treatments, relying on the bodies’ inherent recuperative functions. Treatment plans are customised to patients’ specific needs and preferences.
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Source:
- Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. https://www.healthdata.org
- Singapore Medical Journal. http://www.smj.org.sg
- Johns Hopkins. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health
- Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org
- Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org
- American Chiropractic Association. https://www.acatoday.org
- News-Medical.Net. https://www.news-medical.net/health
- National Library of Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield Study. https://www.renzechiro.com