A primer on chiropractic therapy for back pain

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Chiropractic care is considered an alternative method of treating certain illness through the manipulation of the spine and other surrounding structures. Since it does not require any form of surgery, it is non-invasive and generally lasts for only a few minutes. Chiropractic therapy is touted to be an effective treatment for lower back pain, neck pain, and other similar conditions.

Conventional treatments for lower back pain are generally self-applied, for instance, the use of hot compresses or the taking of pain relievers. However, more people are considering taking a step further by visiting their local chiropractor. These sessions are used to augment treatment and provide faster and longer relief against back pain.

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Chiropractic therapy for back pain involves spinal manipulation. Controlled pressure, done by the hands or through a device, is placed on target areas. This usually involves the chiropractor extending the patient’s joint to the end of its range and lightly thrusting it. This is known in the industry as “adjustment.” Adjustments realign bones to make them straighter. There should be no pain from the manipulation.

Depending on the severity of the condition, sessions could last for an hour and may require several meetings to fully treat the pain. Usually treatments last several weeks. A chiropractor may suggest that sessions are started a few short times per week, with each session lasting for only 10 to 20 minutes. As the condition gets better, sessions could be lessened to once a week. It is recommended that patients consult with their chiropractor to discuss treatment sessions and goals of the therapy. Those who have never had chiropractic care may feel slightly stiff after a session but this will disappear after a few days.

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With more than a decade’s worth of experience, Dr. George Gertner of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of New York (UCC-NY) knows how to safely and effectively treat conditions such as back pain using the latest chiropractic techniques. Learn more about him and his expertise here.

Chiropractic during pregnancy: Is it safe?

Chiropractic care provides a lot of benefits. From joint alignments to spine adjustment, it encourages the body’s natural ability to heal.

For pregnant women, however, the question always lies on its safety, especially when it comes to its rigorous treatments.

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A narrative review published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine states that chiropractic evaluation and treatment of musculoskeletal symptoms that affect pregnant patients are considered safe and effective.

Supported by various cases around the world, a survey reveals that chiropractic is the third most common form of alternative treatment sought by pregnant women, behind massage and yoga. Moreover, chiropractors have reported that 72 percent of these patients were likely to have benefited from chiropractic care, particularly in treating back pain.

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Aiming to help future mothers, the American Chiropractic Association shares that chiropractic medicine has the ability to detect imbalances in one’s pelvis and other body parts that may bring discomfort or neuromusculoskeletal problems after they give birth.

This is especially true for women who want to find relief from increased low-back pain caused by pregnancy, which adds stress and discomfort. Moreover, chiropractors also offer nutrition, ergonomic, and exercise advice for a healthy pregnancy.  

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An experienced chiropractor, Dr. George Gertner helps patients find relief from various medical conditions. Visit this website to learn more about his training and expertise.

Back pain: A universal problem

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Back pain, specifically lower back pain, is a disability that has been experienced by a lot of people all over the world. No matter what race, geographic location, occupation, or gender, back pain has caused a lot of distress that the condition is now considered the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Lower back pain has caused disabilities more than any other physical conditions. It has affected at least one out of every 10 people in the world, and it has become a very common condition among the elderly. It was also proven that lots of cases of lower back pain are work-related, but for the majority of other cases, the cause is still unclear.

Studies have also shown that back pain often causes lost workdays in the U.S. And that the it affects more men than women.

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Meanwhile, a recent research revealed the prevalence rate of back pain was lowest in the Caribbean and Latin America. Researchers suggest that the "higher levels of exercise, shorter height, higher pain thresholds, and less access to health insurance" may be among the reasons why the regions have lower incidences of back pain.

It should be noted that lower back pain is not normally linked to any life-threatening illnesses. However, with the number of cases growing all over the world, it can still become a big issue as the pain could range from being bearable to incapacitating to emotionally distressing.

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For more than a decade, Dr. George Gertner has been helping patients find relief from various conditions, including back pain and other spinal problems. Learn more about his practice by visiting this website.

An overview: NUCCA chiropractic technique

The NUCCA technique is slowly gaining prominence in the field of chiropractic. As a unique form of spinal health care, many people attest to its effectiveness in treating not only back pain but also other illnesses, such as asthma, headaches, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic pain.

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A non-profit organization, the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) advocates the practice of this distinctive form of chiropractic spinal health care that focuses on correcting a small misalignment of the upper neck known as the atlas subluxation complex.


Dr. George Gertner of the Upper Cervical Chiropractic of New York remarks that during the NUCCA procedure, patients won’t experience “cracking” but rather a more gentle adjustment to the vertebra.

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He further notes that if this particular area is misaligned, it can put tremendous pressure on one’s nerves running from the brain to the openings in the atlas to the remaining parts of the body.

If not treated, this may lead to conditions such as migraines, herniated discs, muscle spasms, dizziness, fibromyalgia, tight muscles, allergies, asthma, chronic neck and back pain, and other bodily disorders. Hence, by properly aligning the atlas via NUCCA, the brain can properly communicate with the rest of the body, which leads to a healthier biological function.

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Since 2002, Dr. George Gertner and the Upper Cervical Chiropractic of NY has been helping patients find relief from their spine-related disorders. Get more insights about NUCCA chiropractic by visiting this Facebook page.