Prevention and Treatment of Low Back Pain

For many people, going to the chiropractor is something you do for back pain. Chiropractors certainly treat much, much more than back pain but for many patients, back pain is what leads to an appointment. It is estimated that at any given time, over 31 million people are experiencing low back pain. The economic cost of low back pain in terms of treatment and lost time from work is over $100 billion/year and back pain is the single leading cause of disability in the USA. It is also the number one reason why people miss work.

What Causes Back Pain?

The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements—for example, picking up a pencil from the floor— can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss. Finally, back pain can be caused by vertebral subluxation or misalignment that can impinge on spinal nerves and compromise spinal integrity at the disc, joints and soft tissue.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain

There are several simple strategies that can help to prevent the onset of back pain. Among them:

·         Maintain a healthy diet and weight.

·         Remain active—under the supervision of your chiropractor.

·         Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.

Join us for a workshop for more in depth information relating to your back pain!

·         Warm up or stretch before exercising or physical activities, such as gardening.

·         Maintain proper posture.

·         Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.

·         Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.

·         When lifting an object, lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist.

·         Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.

·         Work with your chiropractor to ensure that your workstation is ergonomically correct.

Treatment of Back Pain

With today's growing emphasis on quality care, clinical outcomes and cost effectiveness, spinal manipulation is receiving increased attention. The epidemic of prescription opioid overuse and abuse has also led to wider acknowledgment of the benefits of non-drug approaches to pain.

Spinal manipulation by your chiropractor is a safe and effective non-drug treatment of back pain that works. It reduces pain (decreasing the need for medication), makes physical therapy more effective, and reduces the need for passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest.

If you suffer with back pain including low back pain, neck pain, or upper back pain, then give us a call and make an appointment for your spinal exam and check-up. The first thing we have to determine is whether or not you are a chiropractic case. If you are not a chiropractic case, then it is unlikely that chiropractic care will work but if you ARE a chiropractic case, then it is my belief that nothing else will help as much. Call us today. 501-842-1004.