Back pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain affecting Americans today. In fact, 80% of Americans will experience back pain throughout their lives!
Back pain is a complex health issue and it can have multiple causes and take many forms. It may occur in the upper or lower back, and radiate up into the neck or down into the tailbone.
While back pain may be caused by a specific condition such as arthritis, the key cause is often a strain or spasm of the muscle. Back pain has so many potential causes that it is impossible to diagnose and treat it yourself. That is where a chiropractor comes in – we are experts in the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, and we treat back pain every day.
Struggling with back pain? Schedule now
Symptoms
Back pain is a general term. The kind of symptoms that you experience might be very different from somebody else who also has back pain. It may feel sharp or dull, it may move around, or it may be localized to one part of your back. The symptoms of back pain are often divided into acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain is short-term back pain, the type that you’re likely to experience after ‘pulling a muscle’. Chronic pain is back pain that lasts for 3 months or more, and you might have been living with it for a long time. A chiropractor can diagnose and treat both acute pain and chronic pain.
Causes
Back pain may result from a mechanical or structural problem in the back such as a sprain or strain from lifting, twisting, or moving in a way that causes damage. Many of us accidentally cause damage to our backs when we lift boxes incorrectly at work, toss our kid onto our shoulders, or sit at a desk for 8 hours with incorrect posture. However, there are other potential causes of back pain that are important to rule out. These include conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Scoliosis
- Osteoporosis
- Spina bifida
- Spondylosis
- Sciatica
- Fibromyalgia
- Ruptured disks
- Kidney problems
- Bulging disks
Risk factors for developing back pain include:
- Age
- Genetics
- Occupation
- Fitness and activity levels
- Weight gain
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
Treatments
The treatment for back pain depends on what is identified as the cause. Common treatments include:
- Pain management such as hot and cold therapy and muscle relaxation
- Medication
- Topical pain relief such as gels
- Gentle stretching
- Exercises aimed at strengthening abdominal muscles
- Acupuncture
How Gateway to Wellness can help
Back pain causes a lot of trouble – but the good thing about back pain is that it can be cured and prevented, and a chiropractor is an ideal professional to see. When you come into Gateway to Wellness, you’ll be treated like family. Rather than cover up the symptoms, we’ll take the time to understand your concern, and identify the true cause of your back pain. We will then work with you to develop a tailored treatment plan that helps you to fix your pain and achieve your goals.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help you, enquire now.
