Focus on chiropractic: Back pain basics!

Thanks to the busy lives we live, most of us can count on suffering from back pain at some point. In fact, it’s the most common cause of missed work days and doctor visits in the country, and studies have shown that 80% of all Americans will experience it during their lives. But just because back pain is so widespread doesn’t mean we should let it get in the way of living our lives. Chiropractic care offers plenty of options for treating, lessening and even eliminating the aches and pains associated with spinal problems. With a little knowledge and prevention, we can keep lower back pains from being a painful fact of life!

The first thing to keep in mind is that there are many different kinds of back pain, with different symptoms and levels of severity. The vast majority of cases come from lower back strains, which can be sustained by lifting heavy objects, falling or moving suddenly, or playing sports. The pain from pulled back muscles comes on suddenly, and can be mild or quite severe. If necessary, these conditions are treatable through a variety of techniques including the use of ice packs to reduce inflammation, plenty of rest, and massage and chiropractic manipulation to help loosen tightened muscles.

Treatments like these are quite effective, but when it comes to muscle strains, prevention is the name of the game. A healthy lifestyle and plenty of exercise will help to avoid pain before it starts. Stretching is also a key component of back pain prevention, since it keeps the muscles elastic and makes them much less likely to be pulled.

Although most problems with the lower back are caused by muscle strain, there are also several structural problems that may result in pain. Some of these, like a pinched nerve, can cause pain to radiate beyond the lower back. A pinched nerve, also known as a herniated disc, occurs when one of the discs cushioning a vertebra in our spine ruptures. These leaking discs can put extra pressure on a nerve, resulting in pain. Similarly, a bulging disc can press on a nerve and cause the same sort of pain. Finally, another relatively common cause of back pain is osteoarthritis, which affects around 50 million Americans. Just as with muscle strain, these conditions can be treated with chiropractic care, though the causes of the pain are different. These conditions may also be treated with physical therapy, pain medication and, in some cases, surgery.

Though we thankfully have treatments for even the most difficult back pain cases, a healthy lifestyle is the best defense against ever developing pain in the first place. Frequent stretching and plenty of exercise will help to condition the muscles so that they are less susceptible to injury. A good posture is also a key component of avoiding the development of spinal conditions. Lastly, a balanced diet will help to maintain overall health, and supplements like calcium and vitamin D can help to offset spinal problems arising from conditions like osteoarthritis. Sure, back pain may be common and treatable, but keeping prevention in mind with a good lifestyle and smart habits will help to avoid pain down the road!