Low Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common health problems we face today. It is estimated that 75 million Americans will experience back pain each year.  Over 80 percent of the adult population will have some low back pain at some time during their lives.  It is the most common cause of disability among the 25-55 year age group. Because these age groups are usually the most productive in the work force, the economic impact of low back pain is enormous.

 

 

While back pain patients comprise the second largest diagnostic group seen by medical family practitioners, the treatments recommended by these practitioners (drugs) are often found to be ineffective. A prominent medical researcher has suggested that family physicians consider referring their back pain patients for chiropractic care, as it has proven helpful for this disorder.

 

 

 

Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. In fact, it is estimated that low back pain affects more than half of the adult population each year and more than 10% of all people experience frequent bouts of low back pain.

 

 

 

Low back pain generally is a mechanical disorder that needs suitable treatment. Chiropractic manipulation is just such a method.  A growing number of low back pain sufferers are turning to chiropractic each year and are finding relief. 

 

The susceptibility of the low back to injury and pain is due to the fact that the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine. Unlike the thoracic spine, this is supported and stabilized by the rib cage. This instability allows us to have a great deal of mobility to touch our toes, tie our shoes or pick something up from the ground, but at the cost of increased risk of injury.

 

As long as it is healthy and functioning correctly, the low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. Professional power lifters can pick up several hundred pounds off the floor without injuring their low back. However, if the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, something as simple as taking a bag of groceries out of the trunk of their car, picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat can cause a low back injury.

 

Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. Recent studies showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. It is important to take low back pain seriously and seek professional chiropractic care. This is especially true with pain that recurs over and over again. Contact our chiropractor . . . we can help!

 

The Causes of Low Back Pain

 

There are many different conditions that can result in low back pain, including: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints. While sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, sometimes even the simplest movements, like picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, conditions such as arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress and even kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss can lead to pain.

 

Due to the fact that there are a whole lot of things that can cause low back pain, and some of those things can be quite serious if left untreated, it is important to seek professional help. Chiropractors are the experts at diagnosing the cause and determining the proper treatment for low back pain. Here are some of the most common causes I see:

 

Subluxations

 

Whenever there is a disruption in the normal movement or position of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. Subluxations can lead to debilitating low back pain. Fortunately, subluxation is easily treatable and often times a significant reduction in pain is experienced almost immediately after treatment.

 

Disc Herniations

 

Contrary to popular belief, a herniated disc does not automatically mean that you are going to suffer from low back pain. In fact, one study found that almost half of all adults had at least one bulging or herniated disc, even though they did not suffer any back pain from it. On the other hand, herniated discs can be a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body. Unfortunately, once a disc herniated, they rarely, if ever, completely heal. Further deterioration can often be avoided through regular chiropractic care, but a complete recovery is much less common.

 

Sprains, Strains and Spasms

 

This is commonly the source of low back pain among the weekend warriors. You know, the types who have very little physical activity during the week, but once the weekend arrives, they push themselves way too much. By the end of the weekend, they are lying flat on their back counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight.

 

Stress

 

Whenever you become stressed, your body responds by increasing your blood pressure and heart rate, flooding your body with stress hormones and tightening up your muscles. When you are stressed all the time, the chronic tension causes your muscles to become sore, weak and loaded with trigger points. If you are stressed out all of the time and you have low back pain, it is important to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, as well as to get regular exercise. 

 

Poor Posture

 

 

 

Poor posture—standing for long periods of time or sitting incorrectly—can cause back pain (so watch out while you're at the office).  

 

 

 

Physical Work

 

 

 

Low back pain is often associated with heavy physical work, lifting or forceful movement, bending or twisting, or awkward positions.  This can be made worse with improper lifting techniques.

 

 

 

Daily Activities

 

 

 

Even healthy, normal can cause muscle sprains and strains, which can lead to back pain. Gardening, tennis, horseback riding, biking, and even golf can all potentially hurt your back.

 

 

 

Injuries and Accidents

 

 

 

Car accidents, slips and falls, sports injuries, and other mishaps can all cause back pain.

 

 

 

Weight Gain

 

 

 

Being overweight puts pressure and stress on the back, especially the low back.

 

 

 

Aging

 

 

 

Ligaments thicken and discs dry out with age. These age-related changes in the spine may lead to disorders that create pressure on your spinal nerves—meaning that you'll have symptoms such as pain, numbness, or weakness. 

 

 

Treating Low Back Pain with Chiropractic

 

Chiropractic treatment for low back pain is usually pretty straightforward. Most commonly, it's simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of your bones and joints.

 

Chiropractic for the low back has been repeatedly shown to be the most effective treatment for low back pain. In fact, major studies have shown that chiropractic care is more effective, cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. This makes sense because chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. All other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest, only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself. At Chiropractic Works Pittsfield, MA we offer a unique and comprehensive approach to care for back pain. Our primary treatment of choice for back pain is the chiropractic adjustment.   A chiropractic adjustment is a gentle, low force correction which re-aligns the vertebrae, restores normal joint function and reduces stress to the spine and nervous system. Trigger point therapy is a system of applying pressure to specific points in the body in order to reduce or eliminate muscle pain.  

 

If you have been suffering with back pain, call me to schedule a consultation at 413-997-8008.