Back Pain Treatment in Gaithersburg MD

Back pain is probably the #1 reason people come to my chiropractic office in Gaithersburg MD for care. Most people will experience significant back pain at some point in their lives, and for many, it can greatly affect their quality of life. Some back pain can be normal... Like when you sleep on a bad mattress or lift something too heavy. But if your pain is severe, long-lasting, or recurrent, it’s not something you should ignore. Too often I see the result of people ignoring or minimizing their back pain, and the result can be chronic or irreversible spinal problems. Many factors can lead to back pain, and an accurate diagnosis is crucial to formulating the most effective treatment for your specific condition. For example, back pain due to injury or trauma will require a much different approach than back pain from arthritis or degenerative discs.

My 28 years of treating all types of back pain have taught me which types of treatment approaches will provide the best results for each specific patient. Some of the types of treatment we provide are:

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Spinal Manipulation and Mobilization in Gaithersburg MD

This is the type of treatment most people associate with chiropractic treatment. The spine is evaluated for alignment problems and areas of restricted motion. A carefully applied pressure or thrust is applied to the appropriate segments to correct these problems. This procedure is both a science and an art, and my patients who have had experience with multiple chiropractors tell me this is a skill I excel. I like to think so!

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Spinal Distraction

I use a special table designed to help me manually stretch specific segments of the spine. This can be particularly helpful for disc problems in the lower back, where the distraction creates a negative pressure in the discs and can help reduce protruding or herniated discs. Degenerative discs respond well to this type of therapy as well, as motion is key to healing and restoring hydration to deteriorating discs.

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Cold (Therapeutic) Laser

This is a relatively new technology that has produced some remarkable results for me since I began using it 6 years ago. It works on a cellular level to both speeds the healing process in injured tissues and provide pain relief. Because it can penetrate much deeper than ultrasound or electric stimulation, it can help in many situations that would otherwise be untreatable with common therapies. Disc and other deep spinal problems generally respond very well.

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Motorized Intersegmental Traction

With this therapy, rollers mobilize and massage the spine. We have both tables and reclining chairs that provide this type of treatment. Not only is it very effective, but it feels great. Needless to say, this is one of our most popular treatments!

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Massage

I do some brief massage work with nearly all my patients. I find that I get the best results when I treat not only the spine but the muscles that affect the spine as well.

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Exercise and Stretching

Part of my evaluation with all new patients includes assessing muscle weakness and imbalance. We have many of our patients do specific exercises and stretches in our office rehab area, and will also recommend specific exercises and stretches to do at home or at their gym. I have found that many spinal problems are caused at least in part by weak or imbalanced muscles. My background in anatomy, kinesiology, and strength training helps me provide you with an effective program to not only address your current problem but maintain optimal spinal function for the years ahead.

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Preventative Care

Once your problems have been resolved or minimized, I encourage my patients to be proactive about their spinal health. Just as with dental health, most spinal problems can be avoided with a minimal amount of common sense treatment and good habits.