Muscle Relaxants
and Chiropractic Care

The use of muscle relaxants are very common among patients suffering from acute low back pain.

These relaxants refer to the group of medications and drugs that are used to treat muscle injury and pain. They help relax muscles, reduce muscle stiffness and ease muscular pain.

There are two groups of relaxants:

• Spasmolytics: Skeletal-muscle-relaxants (SMR's) -, are used to treat muscle injuries and reduce musculoskeletal pain and alleviate muscle spasms.
• Neuromuscular blockers: These are used during surgical procedures to cause temporary paralysis while the surgery is being performed.

Examples of two widely used musculoskeletal relaxants used to treat acute, painful lower back pain are Skelaxin (metaxalone) and Robaxin (methocarbamol).

Some Side Effects of Relaxant Medications

Medical research has shown that pain medications can lead to increased gastrointestinal stress, allergic reactions, respiratory problems, liver toxicity and even kidney failure.

Chiropractic Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Recent medical research shows that chiropractic therapy is more effective than relaxant medications in treating lower back pain. For more on these findings, refer to:

"Hoiriis KT, Pfleger B, McDuffie FC, et al. A randomized clinical trial comparing chiropractic adjustments to muscle relaxants for subacute low back pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2004;27:388-398."

Chiropractic treatment often consists of adjustments of high-velocity, low-amplitude thrusts to the lumbar, pelvic or sacral spinal region.

Some chiropractors may also recommend some life-style changes to include some exercise activity.

If you suffer from lower back pain and would like to consider chiropractic treatment which is a non-medication treatment, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. John Collins regarding your health. Call us at 403-243-0111.

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