Living without chronic pain can seem like an impossible endeavor to many working Americans. It’s a sad reality, but one that has to be confronted if it’s to change.
Standing, walking, sitting for long periods…it seems like everything contributes to daily pain. When you add age or stress to the mix? It’s a recipe for a chronic issue. As a chiropractor you’re all too familiar with the little details that add up to chronic back pain, working around-the-clock to provide clients relief. If it’s been a while since you updated your chiropractic adjusting tools, consider giving yourself some change first.
Not all tools are made alike. Here are the most essential physical therapy tools used today.
The Reality Of Chronic Pain In America
The average working American is struggling with chronic pain, often of several varieties. Those that work in an office space all day long have an increased probability of lower back pain and arthritis, while those who stand on their feet risk upper back pain. Chronic pain is defined as any pain that lasts for 12 weeks or longer. This pain threshold can run from minor and frustrating to severely debilitating. It’s estimated one and a half billion people suffer from chronic pain around the world.
Biggest Risk Factors For Lower Back Pain
As explored above, work is a major deciding factor as to whether or not a person develops chronic pain. Age is another factor, one that tends to get worse in the 50’s and 60’s range. This is due to the body having a reduced ability to regenerate tissue and fight off infection, which can lead to minor problems getting worse. Lower back pain is now the single leading cause of disability around the world. Tools like the activator spinal adjustment device can mean the difference between someone thriving and someone struggling.
Automatic Strength Tests And Physical Assessment Software
The best way to determine the severity of an issue is to test it out. The automatic strength test provides a basic level with which a patient can reach, allowing you to better address their issues moving forward. This should be combined with physical assessment software that actively records all the little details. Chiropractors will treat a collective 25 million Americans every year. The better the tools, the better the treatment.
Activator Spinal Adjustment Devices and Back Adjustment Tools
Some back pain issues are more severe. While some can be soothed with lifestyle changes, others need active spinal readjustment to change. The activator spinal adjustment device is used to figure out the problematic areas of the spine. It will provide simple changes in pressure that create pain relief, adjusting the spine with little tweaks. Functional assessment equipment is always going through changes, so making the switch now could make a huge difference in a patient’s life.
Digital Pressure Algometers And Dynamometer Muscle Testing
Take things a step further with the algometer. These will help a patient better quantify their pain with hard numbers, allowing you to move forward as accurately as possible. These include (but aren’t limited to) issues with the joints or the tendons — the human body is composed of over 650 muscles, all working in tandem. According to recent statistics by the Bureau Of Labor, the job outlook for physical therapists is expected to grow by 30% by the time 2026 arrives. Now has never been a better time to reevaluate your rehab tools.
Chronic pain doesn’t have to be forever. With the activator spinal adjustment device and range of motion testing, the future is looking very bright.