Thank you for booking your appointment at Gloucester Chiropractors.
This page was written by our chiropractors to provide some advice in advance of your appointment.
Hopefully you find it useful for clarifying what you should/shouldn’t do.
Painkillers
We know painkillers are not the answer, but in the short term they can be helpful and should be used if you are struggling to cope with pain or finding movement difficult.
It can be better to take medication as per the packet, rather than as and when you need it.
Paracetamol is generally our recommended option, because it is the safest medication available. That said, it is not always enough and ibuprofen is the next best.
Ibuprofen can cause stomach problems, so be careful if you have a history of these and watch out for acid, pain or belching. Ibuprofen can also interact with other medications, particularly those for heart conditions.
Your GP can prescribe stronger medication if you require it. In many cases they can do this without physically having to see you.
Don’t worry if you need to take painkillers on the day of your appointment. It will not stop our chiropractors from uncovering the cause of your problem.
Ice vs Heat
The question of whether ice or heat is best causes families to fall out. But each has its uses.
As a rule of thumb, ice is better at easing pain. Heat tends to be better at promoting tissue repair, which is a much less common issue.
So, if in doubt, try ice first. If you were icing when you should be heating, or vice versa, don’t worry. The effect on overall outcome is likely to be very minimal.
An ice pack should be wrapped in a layer of cloth and applied to wherever you feel pain.
Ice packs should be left on for 20 minutes and you should leave a gap of 60 minutes before applying again.
Hot Baths and Showers
Definitely take hot baths and showers. They help your muscles relax and this eases pain.
As an extra, put magnesium flakes (Epsom Salts) in the water with you.
You can still benefit from icing whilst using hot showers/baths.
Motion is Lotion
Keeping moving is easier said than done, but it really can help. There are very few instances when staying still is better for you.
Movement can take the form of specific exercises, stretches, or just bimbling around the house.
Generally, back pain will respond well to being on your feet and walking but, if pain builds over time, take regular breaks.
Breathe
When you are in pain, your muscles go into guarding mode. This means that your muscles tense more than normal, which can actually result in more pain.
Breathing exercises, for example taking deep, slow breaths, can really help to soften your muscles. This in turn makes you more comfortable and mobile, which helps your muscles relax further.
Slow and deep breathing also does some amazing things to your physiology that can help you tolerate pain better.
Be Reassured
Your body is a truly amazing thing. It has the most incredible ability to heal and is a lot more robust than people tend to give credit for.
In the vast majority of instances, pain is not the result of an injury. The chances are that you are no more fragile today than you were in the months before your pain started.
In most cases, your body has just had enough of coping with an underlying issue and is having a grumble.
Most of us ignore little warning signs, like a slight niggle that only appears one day every few months, so sometimes your body has to make a bigger noise to get noticed.
Your chiropractor will look to identify any underlying issues so that these can be addressed as your pain improves and they will work with you on how to prevent future occurrences.
