Many people deal with lower back pain at some point. It starts after a day in the garden, after a long drive, or sometimes for no reason you can name, and it gets in the way of everything: bending, standing up, sleeping. Before long you start asking: what can I do about this, and what does a chiropractor actually do for lower back pain?
This article tells you what a chiropractor does, how a first appointment works at our practice, what research says about how well it works, and what to look for when choosing between a chiropractor and a physiotherapist (physical therapist). You will also find tips for home. You can make an appointment directly, no referral needed, and there is free parking right at the door.
In short: what does a chiropractor do?
A chiropractor examines your posture and how your lower back and pelvis move, and treats joints that are not moving well. That is done with targeted movements of the joint and work on the muscles and connective tissue, along with explanation, exercises and advice for home. We focus on easing your complaints and improving your posture and movement, so you can move more freely again in daily life.
You may hear a pop during an adjustment. That is a small gas bubble in the joint fluid, not a bone grinding or breaking. Not every technique makes a sound.
If the pain runs down your leg, read more about sciatica and a herniated disc.
What happens at your first appointment?
A first appointment at Waterland Chiropractie Heusden usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. You are welcome with or without a referral from your GP (family doctor). Here is what to expect:
- A conversation. You tell us how the pain started, what makes it worse, whether it spreads to your buttock or leg, and what your work, sport and sitting habits look like.
- An examination. The chiropractor looks at your posture and at how your lower back and pelvis move, using simple orthopedic and neurological tests where needed. When it is useful, we also take a MyoVision scan along your spine: a quick, non-invasive and painless measurement of muscle activity.
- An explanation first. You hear which technique the chiropractor plans to use before treatment begins. If a technique does not suit you, we choose another one. You can pause or ask questions at any time.
- Treatment. An adjustment is a quick, targeted movement of a joint that is not moving well, mostly in the lower back or pelvis. We also work on the muscles and connective tissue.
- Exercises and advice. You get tips for home and for work.
Our page on chiropractic for lower back pain in Heusden has more about our approach. Ready for a first appointment? Click the “Make an appointment” button or call us at +31 416 762995.
What can you expect after a treatment?
That varies from person to person, and so does the number of appointments. Some people move more easily right after a treatment; others notice a change in the days afterward. Mild stiffness or muscle soreness for a day is common and feels much like the day after exercise.
At your consultation we give you a realistic picture of what to expect. If something does not feel right, tell us and we will adjust your treatment plan. Follow-up appointments are shorter than the first, often 10 to 20 minutes.
What does research say about chiropractic for lower back pain?
Here is what two sources say.
- For long-lasting lower back pain, spinal manipulation has effects similar to those of recommended treatments. A large analysis in the BMJ (2019) looked at 47 trials with more than 9,000 people with long-lasting lower back pain.
- International guidelines start with treatment without medication. A review in the medical journal The Lancet (2018) describes how guidelines first recommend treatment without medication: explanation, a return to normal activities, and exercise. Guidelines are cautious about medication and surgery. Exercises and advice are part of the treatment at our practice.
At our practice, an adjustment goes hand in hand with exercises and advice. Is your pain more recent? Then the chiropractor will talk with you about what fits your situation.
Chiropractor or physiotherapist: what to know before you choose
Many people are torn between the two. Here is what to look at.
Approach. In chiropractic, treatment combines targeted movements of joints, mostly in the lower back or pelvis, with work on the muscles and connective tissue. On top of that, you get exercises and advice.
Referral and reimbursement. For chiropractic you do not need a referral from your GP. Many insurers reimburse part of it through supplemental coverage. Basic health insurance in the Netherlands does not cover chiropractic. What you get back depends on your insurer and your policy. You will find an overview on our page about reimbursement by your health insurer.
Training and title. In the Netherlands the title chiropractor is not legally protected, and there is no Dutch degree program for it. Our chiropractor, Matthew Barney D.C., earned a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Parker University in Dallas, Texas. Matthew also holds bachelor’s degrees in anatomy and psychology.
Want to talk it over first? Call us at +31 416 762995 and we will answer your questions.
What can you do yourself alongside treatment?
Here is what you can do at home alongside treatment.
- Keep moving. Walking, cycling or swimming is fine, even if you are in pain. According to Dutch GPs on Thuisarts.nl, you cannot damage anything by moving. Carry on with as many of your usual daily activities as you can.
- Do not stay in bed during the day. That weakens your muscles. Does lying down ease the pain? Then it is fine to lie down for a few hours a day in the first few days. After that, go back to your usual activities.
- Get back to your sport and usual activities. Guidelines encourage you to resume your normal activities and exercise again. Not sure what is sensible for your sport or your work? Ask us, and we will help you work it out.
Keep an eye on the warning signs further down in this article, which call for your GP first.
Is chiropractic safe for lower back pain?
For most people chiropractic care is considered safe when a well-trained chiropractor provides it. At our practice, the chiropractor explains which technique will be used before treatment begins, and you can pause, ask questions or stop the treatment at any time.
When do we advise you to call your GP first?
Your safety comes first. The chiropractor starts by examining where the pain comes from and whether chiropractic suits your situation. If any of these signs apply to you, a medical assessment is the priority.
Call your GP or the out-of-hours GP service (huisartsenpost) right away if you notice any of these:
- you feel dizzy and sweaty, or feel like you are going to faint;
- you suddenly have severe back pain and abdominal pain at the same time;
- you cannot urinate even though you need to, or you cannot hold your urine or stool;
- you have no feeling around your buttocks, anus or genitals, or on the inside of your thighs;
- you suddenly have less strength in a leg, such as no longer being able to stand on your toes or heels;
- you have back pain with a fever, or with weight loss for no clear reason.
Call your GP on a weekday if:
- you have lower back pain after a fall or accident;
- the pain is no better after a month;
- you have back pain and you have or have had cancer;
- you have back pain and you have become shorter or more stooped;
- you still have back pain two weeks after back surgery or an injection at a hospital or clinic (then call the doctor who treated you).
This list is not complete. If you are unsure, call your GP.
None of this sounds like you, or has your GP already looked at your pain? Then you can make an appointment directly, with or without a referral. Use the “Make an appointment” button or call us at +31 416 762995.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Waterland Chiropractie Heusden treats lower back pain, and you can make an appointment directly. The chiropractor starts by examining where the pain comes from and whether chiropractic suits your situation. If one of the warning signs above applies to you, we advise you to call your GP first.
No, you can make an appointment directly. Patients with and without a referral from their GP are welcome.
A first appointment usually takes 30 to 45 minutes. Follow-up appointments are shorter, often 10 to 20 minutes.
Many insurers reimburse part of chiropractic through supplemental coverage. Basic health insurance does not cover it. How much you get back varies by insurer and policy.
That sound comes from a small gas bubble in the joint fluid, not from a bone grinding or breaking. Not every technique makes a sound.
That varies from person to person. Some people move more easily right after a treatment; others notice a change in the days afterward. At your consultation we give you a realistic picture of what to expect.
That depends on your symptoms and your preference. In chiropractic, treatment centers on targeted movements of joints, mostly in the lower back or pelvis, along with exercises and advice. Not sure what is right for you? Make an appointment, and the chiropractor will examine your lower back and talk with you about whether chiropractic fits.
Lower back pain? Make an appointment in Heusden
You can make an appointment directly with Waterland Chiropractie Heusden, with or without a referral, and there is free parking right at the door. Your first appointment usually takes 30 to 45 minutes and starts with a conversation and an examination. You will find more about chiropractic for lower back pain in Heusden on our website. Want to find out what a chiropractor can do for your lower back pain? Click the “Make an appointment” button or call us at +31 416 762995. Have a question first? We are happy to answer it.
This article gives general information and does not replace medical advice.
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