Low Back Pain & Chiropractic
Back pain is the 2nd most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, right behind upper-respiratory infections. In fact, as many as 80% of us will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.

Most low back pain is triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, and injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support the spine.

The most common causes of low back pain are:

• Injury or overuse of muscle, ligaments, facet joints, and the lumbosacral joints.

• Herniated Disc, often caused by a sudden heavy strain or increased pressure to the lower back.

• Osteoarthritis (joint degeneration), which develops with age. When osteoarthritis affects the small facet joints in the spine, it can cause back pain.

• Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis, defects of the vertebra that allow one to slide over another when aggravated by certain activities.

• Spinal Stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal, which develops with age and degeneration.

• Fractures of the vertebrae caused by trauma, such as an auto accident.

• Spinal Deformities, including scoliosis which is a lateral curvature of the spine or kyphosis which is a forward curvature of the vertebrae in the upper back giving a hump back appearance.

Low Back Pain-Symptoms

The type, location and severity of low back pain depends upon what is causing it.

Symptoms of a back sprain or strain generally include:

• Muscle spasms, cramping and stiffness.

• Pain, mostly in the back and buttocks. The pain generally occurs quickly and in episodes. It is aggravated by weight bearing activities or specific movements and is relieved by rest. The most severe pain usually last from 2 to 4 days and may be followed by weeks of severe pain. Caution must be used because it is easy to aggravate injury during this time.

Symptoms of nerve injury include:

• Leg pain (Sciatica). In genera if pain extends below knee it is more likely to be pressure on a nerve than a muscle problem. Usually, the pain starts in buttock and travels down the back of the leg often reaching the ankle or foot

• Pain is subject to change of positions such as bending forward or backwards. If bending forward increases symptoms then walking, lying down and positions that straighten spine usually relieve symptoms. And vise versa, if symptoms worsen when bending forward then movements that extend the spine will usually lessen symptoms.

• Pain will worsen when you contract your abdominal, or core muscles of your trunk. Examples include coughing, sneezing, or bowel movements.

• Nerve related symptoms include tingling, numbness, weakness in one leg or foot, lower leg, or both legs.

Symptoms of arthritis generally include pain and stiffness that are worse in the back and hip region. Pain starts gradually and increases over time and typically last longer than a few months. It is worse in the morning and improves with activity.

 

Low Back Pain-Home Treatment

For acute back pain (first 48 hours)

• This period is critical in how quickly you will recover from your injury. Always use ice during this period. The faster you apply ice the better. It will reduce inflammation in the injured tissue and acts as a natural pain reliever.

• Keep active, studies show that bed rest can lead to a decrease in ability to heal. Use common sense and avoid activities that cause back pain, such as prolonged sitting and climbing stairs. Take a walk on level ground for 20 minutes twice a day.

• Sleep on a medium-firm mattress which is more likely to be comfortable and provide the support your back needs. Avoid sleeping on your stomach and if possible when sleeping on your side keep a medium sized pillow between your knees. If you are sleeping on your back position a large pillow under your knees in order to relieve pressure on low back.

Chronic Low Back Pain

To help relieve chronic low back pain try:

• Exercise is the most effective way to relieve low back pain. We specialize in helping our patients get started on an effective program to strength the muscles of the lumbar region and your core.

• Reduce stress in your life. Sounds simple, but stress is a major component to chronic low back pain. Yoga or mediation is a great way to relieve stress.

• Achieve and maintain a health weight. Its not only good for your back but also for your overall health.

• Avoid smoking! Smoking hinders your bodies ability to heal.

Chiropractic Works

Specific chiropractic adjustments can help correct spinal alignment. This restores the way your spine works, nerve involvement is reduced, pain eases and the body can heal.

It all starts with a consultation and thorough examination. If we think we can help, we'll tell you. And if we don't think we can help, we'll tell you that too and refer you to someone we think can. 

                   Get started today, call 404-578-2114 
                    to schedule your FREE consultation.