Chiropractic Care To Manage Kyphosis
If your middle or upper back has a hump-like appearance, you may have kyphosis. While poor posture can cause kyphosis, it can be related to congenital disorders or caused by the degenerative effects of osteoporosis.
Kyphosis can cause inflammatory changes in your spine, severe back pain, decreased range-of-motion, and limited mobility. Although prescription pain medications may help keep you comfortable, they can cause serious side effects, and may only be appropriate for short-term use. Here are some non-pharmaceutical ways chiropractic care can help manage your kyphosis without the risk of drug-related adverse reactions:
Therapeutic Ultrasound
You may have had an ultrasound, which is a diagnostic medical test that captures images of your soft tissues by using sound waves instead of ionizing radiation. While diagnostic use of ultrasound technology is very common, chiropractors are using ultrasound for the therapeutic relief of back pain.
It is thought that the high frequencies emitted by ultrasound can help reduce inflammation and the pain of kyphosis. It may also help promote blood flow to the painful areas of the back. Also, the soothing sensations of the ultrasound transducer wand massaging your back may also help enhance circulation and relax your muscles. Therapeutic ultrasound is extremely safe because it does not emit radiation in the way that traditional x-rays do. In addition to its therapeutic benefits for kyphosis, ultrasound therapy can also help relieve neck and spinal pain.
Massage And Spinal Manipulation
Chiropractic physicians can also perform "hands-on" treatments to help manage your kyphosis. One such treatment option is spinal manipulation, where your chiropractor firmly yet gently realigns your spine with your neck and your head, with his or her hands. Spinal manipulation is not uncomfortable; however, you may feel slight pressure during your treatment. Your chiropractor may also recommend therapeutic massage to help treat the pain and inflammation associated with kyphosis.
Chiropractic massage helps soothe sore muscles, relieve spinal and ligament pain, and decrease stress. Massage also increases the release of brain chemicals known as endorphins, which helps boost your mood and facilitate restorative sleep patterns. Many people suffering from kyphosis are unable to sleep because of the pain, so massage is an excellent alternative to sleep medications, which may not be appropriate for certain individuals.
If you have back pain related to kyphosis, make an appointment with a medical professional like Eric Schmetterling DC. They will explain the above treatment options and may recommend additional options to help manage your symptoms.
