Almost everyone will experience some form of back pain, ranging from slightly irritating to completely crippling, in their lifetime. Whatever the degree of pain you are experiencing and whether it is acute or has become chronic, at the very least you would probably rather live without it. In the most extreme cases in can be difficult to go on living with it. This article aims to help you to understand what causes lower back pain, and how chiropractic treatment can help you achieve lasting back health so that you can do more of what you enjoy.
Back Pain
The back is a broad term that covers a large area of the body. It is made up of many tendons, ligaments, discs, muscles, and bones. Without a solid understanding of these different parts, it can be complicated to locate and address the source of the pain. The following explains some of the most common issues and their identifying features. It also explains how chiropractic medicine can help to resolve them. This is a general guideline to help you in your quest for effective treatment, but we highly recommend that you seek a professional opinion to properly diagnose these issues.
Disc Bulges and Herniation
A disc bulge, also known as herniated disc or slipped disc, stems from the outer edges of the discs that are located in between the vertebrae. These outer edges become damaged which leads to a gelatin-like mass squeezing out and creating a bulge. This often painful issue is more common than most people think. Despite this, it can often go undetected as some patients feel no pain. The pain is determined by the size and location of the herniation within the back. The damaged disc can potentially irritate nerves around it which can cause a stabbing or shooting pain sensation and even issues within the legs.
It is important that this issue is properly identified and promptly treated to avoid further damage. Our doctors of chiropractic will thoroughly assess your back to determine the extent of the issue and the appropriate treatment to prevent worsening of the herniation, and provide relief from the associated pain.
Subluxations
Subluxation is a medical term describing a misalignment in the vertebral column. There are a wide variety of causes, including physical stress, trauma, and toxins. Subluxations are often quite painful and can disrupt normal movement. Subluxations are one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to back pain. Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct this issue using non-invasive adjustment techniques.
Muscular Sprains and Tendon or Ligament Strains
Strains and sprains most typically occur when we engage in tasks to which our body is not accustomed or when we are involved in an accident. Lifting while twisting, or stretching past one's limits are common causes to strains and sprains of the back. These can be extremely painful, and are often accompanied by swelling and bruising of the surrounding area. Strains and sprains in the back tend to involve changes to the alignment of the spine and typically respond well to chiropractic care.
Stress and Back Pain
Chronic stress wreaks havoc on the body, and can eventually lead to hyper-tension and chronic back pain. The back pain is a result of tension and muscle spasms that occur when stress hormones are released. The tension will often accumulate in what are referred to as trigger points. These trigger points can be extremely painful and need professional attention to resolve. Chiropractors have the knowledge and tools to relieve stress from trigger points and to deal with underlying nervous system imbalances that may be keeping your body locked in patterns of stress and pain.
Other Issues that Cause Back Pain
Conditions such as obesity, arthritis, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections have been shown to cause symptoms of lower back pain. These are all serious issues that need to be identified and treated immediately to avoid long-term health issues. Our doctors are trained to identify these issues and support you in getting the appropriate treatment. Many of these issues can have their source in spinal misalignments and respond well to chiropractic adjustments.