Obviously go to see your doctor first if you suffer from back pain. However GPs and others will often only be able to prescribe painkillers and rest for chronic back problems without fixing the problem. Some people may suffer in this way for years and find their working and personal life suffers as a result. Chiropractors are skilled and respected complementary health practitioners who train as spinal specialists for a minimum of 4 years.

At a first appointment your chiropractor will discuss your back problems with you (as a doctor would) but will also then take more time to discuss your lifestyle, nutrition, fitness regime and any emotional or other problems which may be making you tense.(Holding tension in your neck and shoulders is a major cause of back pain.)

Chiropractors try to treat the whole person in order to get to the root of your problem, address it and prevent it recurring.

During your visits to the chiropractor they will work skilfully on your neck, shoulders and spine to adjust imbalances caused by bad posture, wear and tear, stress and so on(there is no pain involved in these manipulations). At the same time they are likely to advise you on diet and nutrition and perhaps give you exercise and relaxation suggestions. They will involve you in this to ensure you understand and are happy with it.

Instead of simply alleviating back problems chiropractors will aim to get to the root of your back pain and may be able to fix it for you permanently or at least for a considerable time. In most cases this will happen in 4-6 hourly sessions.

In my own case I endured 2 years of intermittent pain and yet even during my very first treatment the chiropractor was able to practice skilled manipulations on my spine which immediately reduced the pain. By session 6 it had gone completely.

If you suffer from chronic back pain and your doctor is only able to offer you painkillers then you are likely to benefit from seeing a chiropractor. Some doctors may even refer you or you can make an appointment yourself. It is a small commitment to make for the chance of solving your back problems for good.

Learn more about this author, Lynne MC.
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