Eight out of 10 people in the United States will at one time in their lives suffer from back pain. Low back pain is the second, only to the common cold, as the reason for medical visits. Often this condition becomes chronic, leaving an estimated 5.4 million Americans disabled by lower back pain. An astonishing $90 billion in medical and other related costs are spent to address the ailment each year. The encouraging news is that back pain can be prevented, or treated with effective methods of chiropractic and rehabilitative therapies. Because 90 percent of all back pain is mechanical, less than 5 percent is caused by nerve root pain, chiropractic offers the most efficient solution in treating this ailment. Even chronic pain lasting longer than 3 months, might not require surgery if treated properly. Avoiding surgery and pain is always good news! There are numerous clinical studies proving that chiropractic care (lumbar mobilization) is a safer, more effective and more efficient form of low back pain relief than medical intervention and physical therapy alone.
Whether the pain is caused by injury or disease, focusing on the exact location will affect treatment. Though the term back pain normally refers to low back pain, and is centered in the area known as the lumbar spine, pain can also affect the thoracic spine, with the pain focused in the middle back. Back pain can be also be categorized as sciatica, an indication that the pain is radiating into the legs possibly even below the knee. Sciatica is associated with a herniated disc than can result in severe leg pain due to the pinching of a nerve in the lower back.
As common as it is, lower back pain is not usually a sign of serious illness. At least half of the people suffering from back pain, at any age, find relief in less than 2-8 weeks. Only about 10 percent of back pain cases are caused by an underlying illness.
The cause for low back pain may be as simple as bad posture, incorrect lifting, the lack of appropriate exercise, and other lifestyle factors—from sitting improperly to poor work habits. Other factors that can cause back pain include:
Mechanical problems—resulting from:
- Disc breakdown, or ruptured discs
- Lumbar facet syndrome
- Muscle spasms
- Herniated intervertebral disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH)
- Muscle strain due to physical activity, or bad posture
Diseases and conditions, such as:
- Scoliosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Arthritis
- Pregnancy
- Kidney stones
- Infections
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia
How Will a Doctor of Chiropractic Treat Low Back Pain?
During your initial examination, the doctor will perform a series of neurological, orthopedic, and reflex testing to narrow the diagnosis to a specific location and cause of the low back pain.
Chiropractic adjustments, spinal manipulation, may be used improve spinal alignment, reduce nerve irritation, relax muscle tension and improve vascular flow. Decompression, electrical/russian stimulation, ultrasound, taping techniques, K-laser therapy and other rehabilitative modalities may also be used to expedite the treatment plan. Finally, the chiropractor will often recommend exercise, stretching and changes in posture to maintain relief.
Chiropractic care can provide a holistic, comprehensive treatment plan for low back pain, giving patients an opportunity to put an end to what can be a very stubborn type of pain and a considerable improvement in functional movement and quality of life.
With concerns related to low back pain, please contact the office at 732-920-8188 or email dryanchus@brickfamilychiropractic.com.
