Are you struggling with back pain?
Whether it is your lower, upper, or middle back, it is likely that you will experience some form of back pain. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 32 million Americans are experiencing back pain at this moment, and that approximately 80% of the population will experience some form of back pain in their lifetime. With numbers like this it’s not surprising that back pain has grown to be the #1 cause of disability in the United States. Statistics like this should stimulate concern regarding what causes lower back pain, how to prevent it, and what the best form of treatment is once it has developed. At the Lalama Chiropractic Clinic, we aim to use this page to guide you in the right direction to answer those questions and more.
So, what is the cause of back pain?
The number of injuries, misalignments, and conditions that cause back pain seems endless. Due to the complex structure of the back that is required to absorb stress while permitting movement, many elements of this structure such as tendons, ligaments, discs, muscles, and bones can become irritated or damaged resulting in pain. Sometimes it is severe trauma, such as a car accident, that can result in back pain and other times it is minor repetitive stress that causes the most damage. Therefore, you may not be able to recall any particular event that caused the onset of your pain. In addition to all of these possibilities, physical injury is not always the primary cause. Conditions such as obesity, arthritis, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections have been shown to give symptoms of lower back pain. With all of these possibilities, it is important to find a doctor that takes into account all aspects of health to reach an accurate diagnosis. Fortunately, the Lalama Chiropractic Clinic has many years of education and experience to determine the correct diagnosis and direct you to the most appropriate line of care. Without an accurate diagnosis and treatment, even the most minor conditions can develop into serious lifelong conditions.
As mentioned previously, there are a multitude of causes for back pain, however, some of them are more common than others. The following are some of the most common cause of lower back pain that are seen and treated at the Lalama Chiropractic Clinic.
DISC BULGES OR HERNIATION
One of the most common and painful causes of back pain is a disc bulge or herniation. However, it is important to recognize that not all disc bulges or herniation result in pain. It has been found through MRI studies that as much as 37% of the American population has a disc bulge or herniation, and the vast majority of them are experiencing no pain or other related symptoms. Unfortunately, the people who are experiencing pain often describe it as severe and intense.
The type of pain that is experienced due to a disc herniation depends on the type and position of the herniation. If the damaged disc is irritating a surrounding nerve, shooting pain and weakness into the legs may develop. The discomfort is often described as stabbing and lightning-like. To understand how a disc herniation develops, it is best to think of the disc as a jelly donut. If the outer edges of the donut (disc) are damaged over time, most typically from wear and tear, the jelly in the middle of the disc can escape. This level of severity can be very difficult to reverse. Chiropractic care has been shown to prevent the advancement of the herniation, and provide relief from the associated pain.
SUBLUXATIONS
MUSCULAR SPRAINS AND TENDON OR LIGAMENT STRAINS
STRESS AND BACK PAIN
OTHER ISSUES THAT CAUSE BACK PAIN
Treatment
As with any condition, it is recommended to take a conservative, effective, and non-invasive approach to the treatment of back pain first. If you are suffering from back pain or have any further questions, please contact our team at the Lalama Chiropractic Clinic today to schedule a consultation.