Should I consider seeing a Chiropractor for my back pain instead of Physical Therapy?

Should I consider seeing a Chiropractor for my back pain instead of Physical Therapy?

Most people might suspect that I am going to (since I am a Chiropractor) say, "YES! See a Chiropractor!" But the answer to this question is not so simple.

Chiropractors do a lot to help the overall aspects of the body work together to relieve back pain. A patient can have hips that are out of alignment and this can affect their back, neck and shoulders even. A Chiropractor can do miracles with handling back pain. I myself treat 20-30 cases of back pain each and every day and I consider myself a bit of an expert on back pain after 16 years in practice.

But guess what? Physical Therapists are also miracle workers when it comes to back pain.  So are Massage Therapists and Acupuncturists.  I've worked hand in hand with Physical Therapists with patients who had severe whiplash and back pain and together...we were able to (both) help the patient to a quick and speedy recovery. And that's all I ever want with my patients - the best results.

The thing that I like about Chiropractic is that we address the whole body and can easily and quickly spot the source of back pain and after a mere 1-2 visits sometimes, relieve the patient of back pain.  Back pain stems from pinched nerves (subluxations) in the spine or other nearby locations and a Chiropractor can address these areas quickly and get a very good result. Sometimes the back pain is due to muscle tension or strain. And a Physical Therapist can do wonders in that area just as well as I can ... and sometimes, based on the patient's response, even better.

However, if a patient really needs to exercise and stretch an area, especially after an operation or a major injury...the Physical Therapist is very keen on what stretches and exercises will help and can help the patient in doing these properly under supervision.  Chiropractors can do this as well but I would dare to state here that Physical Therapists are more specialized in this area than most Chiropractors are.

I am a big fan of Chiropractic obviously but I am also a fan of doing whatever it takes to have a body that is functioning and working properly and if that means seeing an Acupuncturist and a Physical Therapist and a Chiropractor in order to relieve some major back pain issues...I say do all of them and just attack the problem head on till it's resolved.  

Some patients seem to respond better with different therapies.  I say go with what gives the best response. Fortunately, most Chiropractors are very affordable and this offers a way for almost anyone to try Chiropractic out and see if that is their best option.