Chiropractor in York PA: Supporting Your Therapy At Home

A chiropractor in York, Pennsylvania can get you back on your feet after a sports injury, car accident or other acute back problem with a structured, customized treatment plan. With targeted therapies designed to reduce back pain and the inflammation of the surrounding muscle tissues that cause your discomfort, chiropractic care is one of the most effective ways to heal from a spinal injury. Supporting your therapy with simple, yet effective treatments at home can help speed along your healing process and make you more comfortable in the meantime. Here are a few things you can try at home to help get you out of pain faster…read on!

Moist Heat

Applying compresses to the affected area can help your muscles relax, which will take pressure off the nerves surrounding your injured spine. Moist heat penetrates the skin and muscle tissues effectively, allowing your back to relax. The easiest way to use moist heat therapy is to soak a hand towel in warm water, wring it out and apply it directly to the affected area, usually for a prescribed period of time. Ask your chiropractor about using warm, moist compresses at home to find out if this is a recommended supportive, at home treatment you can use and for how long you should apply the compress.

Put It On Ice

Depending upon your particular injury and the diagnosis from your chiropractor, ice therapy may be a more effective solution for you. Swelling in muscle tissues can cause pressure to build up on the nerves in your back, making your pain levels considerably worse. Ice reduces tissue swelling, thereby alleviating some of the pressure that has built up around the nerves in your spine. Since direct skin contact can be very uncomfortable, wrapping ice packs in a pillow case or thin towel can help you get the therapeutic effects without causing you discomfort. Talk to your chiropractic therapist to find out how long at home treatment periods should last and if you should alternate with moist heat compresses for maximum efficacy.

Modify Your Movements

Staying active while you are healing is important since movement will keep your back limber and your muscles toned. However, you should modify or temporarily stop some of your activities during your healing period to reduce the chances of aggravating your injuries. Limiting the amount of weight you pick up and certain activities that would involve you bending over for long periods of time can help reduce the amount of strain you are putting on your injured back. Ask your chiropractor for a list of activities you should avoid or modify to ensure that you don’t do more harm than good.

For more information about a chiropractor in York PA and how you can support treatment for acute back injuries at home, call 717-757-6780 or click on the provided link.