Back pain is among the most frequent causes of medical visit. Chronicity and lost productivity due to back pain impose a large personal and societal burden. In most cases, back pain usually goes away itself within weeks, but pain that persists for months could signal an underlying medical cause that needs to be addressed. In some cases, early intervention may be necessary for the best results. Doctor of Chiropractic are highly experienced to find the cause of your back pain and provide relief in a sustainable way.
In a recent Harvard Medical article, patients with back pain under chiropractic care for 6 weeks have reported, less pain intensity, more improvement in function and needed less pain medicine! Click here to see the article!
Common Factors Causing Back Pain:
- Poor Posture: Incorrect posture during sports or daily activities can strain the thoracic and lumbar spine, leading to discomfort and pain.
- Muscle Imbalances: Everyone can develop muscle imbalances due to repetitive motions, causing strain on the surrounding spinal structures.
- Sprains and Strains: Sudden or repetitive movements can result in ligament sprains or muscle strains in back and causes back pain.
- Disc Injuries: Injuries to the intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers between vertebrae, can cause pain and nerve compression.
- Spinal Misalignments: Misalignments of the vertebrae may occur due to sports-related impacts or improper movement patterns.
- Overtraining: Intense training regimens without adequate rest and recovery can lead to stress fractures or microtraumas in the spine.
- Osteoarthritis: Arthritis is the most common cause of back pain in people over age 50. The lumbar spine facet joints can be injured, or become inflamed.
What Can Make Your Back Pain Feel Better?
- Chiropractic Adjustments: Manual adjustments by the chiropractor can realign the vertebrae, alleviate nerve irritation, and restore proper spinal function.
- Soft Tissue Techniques: Chiropractors can use myofascial release (Active Release Technique), and instrument-assisted mobilization to address muscle imbalances and reduce tension.
- Therapeutic Exercises: Prescribing targeted exercises to improve core stability, flexibility, and strength often helps enhance overall spine support and promote recovery.
- Posture Education: Learning about proper posture and body mechanics during training and daily activities fosters long-term prevention of spine issues.
- Pain Management Strategies: Employing pain-relief modalities like ice/heat therapy or electrical stimulation can sometimes aid in managing acute discomfort.
- Sport-Specific Rehabilitation: Integrating sport-specific movement retraining helps athletes avoid repetitive strain and optimize your performance.
What To Do When You Have Back Pain?
It’s important to identify the reason why you are experiencing back pain in order to determine the appropriate treatment. If you are experiencing frequent or severe or lingering back pain, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for neck pain caused by muscle tension, spinal misalignments, poor posture, and other factors. Our Doctors of Chiropractic are highly experienced to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan for you. Sports chiropractor can use a variety of techniques, including spinal adjustments, myofascial release (ART), rehab and strengthening exercises, and nutrition advice, to relieve neck pain in athletes and improve your overall performance.
In most cases, patients can experience immediate relief of their pain. A series of spinal manipulation can reduce the frequency of back pain episodes. Relaxation exercises and lifestyle changes may be suggested to avoid future back pain. Medical management of back pain usually involves some type of medication that can result in unwanted side effects or dependencies. Chiropractic offers a natural and safe approach to relieving and preventing future back pain.
Should I Get Surgery For My Back Pain?
Back surgery is typically reserved for cases where conservative treatments have not provided relief, and when there is a clear structural issue that can be addressed surgically. There is often no guarantee that surgeries can relieve your back pain. Here are some factors to consider when contemplating back surgery:
Severity of Symptoms: Consider the severity of your back pain and its impact on your daily life. If your pain is debilitating, significantly affects your mobility, or interferes with work and daily activities despite conservative treatments, surgery might be worth considering.
Diagnosis: Accurate diagnosis is crucial. Before considering surgery, ensure you have a clear understanding of the specific issue causing your back pain. Common conditions that may warrant surgery include herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spinal instability, or severe degenerative disc disease.
Exhausted Conservative Treatments: It is essential to have explored and attempted various non-surgical treatments before considering surgery. These treatments may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, medications, epidural injections, and other forms of pain management.
Impact on Quality of Life: Assess how your back pain affects your overall quality of life. If it significantly hinders your ability to engage in activities you enjoy, affects your mood, or causes emotional distress, surgery might be worth considering.
Risks and Potential Complications: Understand the risks associated with back surgery and potential complications that may arise. All surgeries carry inherent risks, such as infection, blood clots, nerve damage, and failed surgery syndrome. Discuss these risks thoroughly with your healthcare provider.
Success Rate and Long-Term Outcomes: Research the success rates of the specific surgery recommended for your condition and the potential long-term outcomes. Understanding the likelihood of symptom relief and improvement can help you make an informed decision.
Recovery and Rehabilitation: Consider the expected recovery process and rehabilitation after surgery. Surgery often requires a period of rest and rehabilitation to regain strength and function. Ensure you are prepared for the post-surgery recovery journey.
Second Opinion: Seek a second opinion from another qualified spine specialist to confirm the diagnosis and explore alternative treatment options. Different doctors may have different perspectives and approaches to your condition.
Lifestyle Modifications: Evaluate any lifestyle changes that might alleviate your back pain. Weight management, proper ergonomics, regular exercise, and avoiding activities that exacerbate your pain may help improve symptoms without surgery.
Personal Preferences and Values: Reflect on your personal preferences, values, and goals. Consider how the decision to undergo surgery aligns with your values and what you hope to achieve through the procedure.
Ultimately, the decision to undergo back surgery should be made collaboratively with your healthcare provider. Engage in open communication, ask questions, and ensure you fully understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives. Remember that surgery is not always a guarantee for complete pain relief, and individual results may vary.