Lower Back Pain
Back pain affects health drastically and is a leading cause why people try seek chiropractic services. Your local chiropractor can provide low back pain relief and help manage (chronic) or cure (acute) lower back problems.
Current evidence suggests that over 70% of adults get low back pain at some time during their life. However, staying active, with the help of chiropractic treatment, may well be the best solution.
Causes of Low Back Pain
"Doc I only bent to tie my shoe" is something we hear time and time again. Repeating daily activities such as bending, lifting and twisting may result in a 'bad back'. The reason will be fatigue in the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and pelvis. This is why your chiropractor will want to understand how you tackle these everyday movements. The chiropractor will also ask about any major traumas to yourself such as:
- road car accidents,
- slips and falls,
- sporting injuries,
- major surgeries etc...
Slipped Disc
Inter-vertebral discs in your back cannot actually "slip out" of place. It is better to classify them as bulging or herniated. A chiropractic doctor would help assess if you have a true lower back disc problem causing the pain.
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Spinal discs are made of outer fibrous rings (annulus fibrosus) attached to the vertebrae, with a softer gel sac inner core (nucleus pulposus). The annulus can tear from trauma or degeneration causing pain which later can allow the inner gel sac to try push out. Direct pressure or chemical inflammatory irritation on the nerve(s) can occur and is known as a pinched nerve. Pinched nerve(s) from your spine can cause pain in your back, and/or 'referred' symptoms (pain, pins and needles, numbness, weakness) over an area that the nerve(s) supplies. In the case of the lower back nerves causes sciatica, which is pain in the leg.
Different health care professionals may not explain all the names for a back disc problem well to you and leave you confused. That is why a chiropractor, when you come in saying you think you 'pinched a nerve” or 'slipped a disc’, will ask detailed questions and perform orthopaedic and neurological tests to assess your nerves, joints and muscles.
A chiropractor may send you to get an image of your spine. X-rays will assess your bone and joint quality only, whilst an MRI is needed to see the quality of your discs and nerves. If there is a disc problem your chiropractor will tell you and depending on their findings recommend spinal manipulative therapy or if nerves are severely compressed refer you to a neurosurgeon or orthopaedic surgeon for spinal surgery assessment.
Help Prevent Low Back Pain
Prevent lower back pains or sciatica by avoiding common spine stress situations. Examples are:
- sitting still in one position for prolonged periods,
- carrying wallets in hip/back pockets,
Some tips you can do to treat back pain and help yourself are:
- create regular exercise programs that can include gentle stretching and back strengthening exercises such as pilates, yoga, physiotherapy/biokinetic recommended exercises
- incorporating diaphragm breathing (tummy not chest breathing) to reduce stress. This helps relax tense muscles,
- practise good posture. Need someone to show you watch here.
Correct sleeping position whilst with back pain can be to sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your knees. Ensure that your pillow is a correct height - not too low or too bulky.
Ergonomic Sitting
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Poor posture may lead to back pain. Your chiropractor may advise you to make postural changes if you:
- spend an hour at a time sitting at a desk or computer,
- slouch in front of the TV,
- sleep in a bed that is too hard or soft,
- find yourself hunching your back and shoulders in stressful situations,
Back Pain Treatment
For back pain relief you can visit your local chiropractor before you get the low back pain. The chiropractor can help you lower the stress to your spinal joints, nerves and muscles which reduces your risk for low back pain from occurring in the first place.
Chiropractic adjustments can help keep the spinal joints moving better. Your Chiropractor will also help remind you to promote your health through exercises, stretches and nutrition. By maintaining a healthy weight You can also help heal a back injury.
Chiropractic maintenance treatments are for those wishing to be proactive in their health and who are looking for wellness care - helping you be more than just healthy. You can visit your local chiropractor for a once of treatment once a month or every 2-6 months depending on the state of your spine.
Read some of our testimonials written by patients who have been helped by chiropractic care.
If you are looking for an e-book or more info on self-treatment of sciatica and lower back pain then you may want to check out this online ebook and videos.