Back pain is the second most common reason people choose a chiropractor, and it is prevalent in the US population. Up to 80% of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime, and over half of them will experience it more than once a year. Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or alleviate most back pain. 

 

Causes

There are many different types of back problems, and many different situations and activities can cause them. Back pain can range from sore muscles to gunshots, burning or stinging, and exacerbated by physical activity such as walking or running. 

 

In addition, there may be pain that radiates through the legs and can cause discomfort in the back. Back pain can also be a symptom of other conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, heart failure, and arthritis. Back pain can also be a result of malpositions of the cervical spine and the resulting nerves. This can be considered as a subluxation in the upper back and neck and is often accompanied by pain in and around the thoracic spine (center of the back), where the nerve can reach most areas of the upper body. When the spine is affected, these nerves can communicate with the rest of our body and cause pain.

 

Other Causes:

Strenuous Activities

While repeated heavy lifting, walking, running, or other physical activities can strain the muscles, spinal cord, and ligaments in the back, most back pain will improve after a few weeks or even with months of rest. If prevention does not work, the back can heal and be functional for a more extended period of rest. However, pain can also develop over time. Tests and imaging results can tell doctors whether it is caused by degeneration of spinal injuries. For any symptom that shows, it is always best to seek a chiropractor or doctor to assess your condition to prevent the risk of other injuries from occurring.

 

Herniated Disc

Back pain can also occur in the case of a herniated disc or a protrusion of the intervertebral disc in the back. The intervertebral discs serve as a cushion between the vertebral bones of the spine, and the soft material of these intervertebral discs can bulge and or tear.

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Arthritis

Arthritis can affect the lower back as the space between the spinal cord narrows and can lead to a condition known as spinal stenosis. If the bones become porous or brittle, the vertebrae of the spine can develop painful fractures. 

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Types of Back Pain: Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain

Acute pain is sudden and lasts for up to 6 weeks, while chronic or long-term pain lasts longer than three months and causes persistent problems or develops over a long period. A person can also have both acute and chronic pain in their back muscles, making it difficult for a doctor to diagnose and find the proper treatment.

 

Treatments

Chiropractic care aims to heal the body and relieve pain. We can offer a wide range of back and neck pain treatments, such as manual therapy, acupuncture, and other treatments. To properly treat back pain, chiropractors often use chiropractic adjustments to the spine and pelvis to support reorientation and subluxation reduction and relieve the tension caused by back pain. 

 

Complementary Therapies: Can be used alone or alongside conventional treatment, but chiropractic, muscle therapy, isokinetic movement therapy, and acupuncture can help to relieve pain and encourage patients to feel relaxed. The focus is often on the spine, neck pain, back pain, joint, and muscle pain being the main focus.

 

Acupuncture: It can help your body release its natural painkillers called endorphins and relieves pain.

 

Yoga: Yoga involves certain poses, movements, and breathing exercises, but you must be careful that these exercises do not aggravate your back pain. You can improve your posture and help strengthen the back muscles, but care must be taken that the activities do not cause your body pain or discomfort.