Lower back pain affects millions of Americans every year and is in the spotlight as the leading cause of disability incidents in the workplace. Fractured bones, damaged disks, sprains, and even unknown causes of back pain can affect how you work, get around, sleep, and exercise!
Many instances of mild lower back pain improve with rest. But sometimes, lower back pain lingers and worsens with time. Let’s take a look at the common causes and how chiropractic care can help alleviate pain, promote healing, and prevent further damage.
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Sometimes lower back pain is challenging to diagnose because there are so many possible causes. Here are some of the most common ones.
Disk Injury
Your spine is made up of vertebrae (bones). Spongy, gel-filled disks act as shock absorbers and reduce the friction between your vertebrae as you move. Back injuries or wear and tear can damage these disks and cause the gel-like substance to bulge and sometimes rupture (herniate) out of the outer “shell.” This puts pressure on the surrounding nerves, reduces mobility, and causes a lot of pain.
Sprains and Strains
Sudden jarring movements or simple overuse can stretch or tear your back’s soft tissue (muscles). In many cases, rest is enough to heal these injuries. In serious cases, treatment is needed to address the pain and encourage healing.
Poor Core Strength
Many people don’t realize that your core muscles, together with your back muscles, play a key role in supporting your spine. Pregnancy, weight gain, an inactive lifestyle, and poor posture can weaken your core—and lead to chronic lower back pain! Poor core strength is often the cause of undiagnosed back pain.
Disease
Osteoarthritis, degenerative disk disease, and other inflammatory conditions can affect your vertebrae and cause lower back pain. While many diseases are incurable, you can strengthen your back, find relief, slow down the degeneration, and go on to live an active life!
How Chiropractic Care Can Help Alleviate Your Low Back Pain
Chiropractic care offers a holistic and drug-free approach to treating lower back pain. Armed with various treatment options, your chiropractor will examine you and craft a treatment plan that suits you. It will likely include the following elements.
Adjustments
Chiropractic care aims to restore balance in your body, starting with your spine. In some cases, back pain can affect your posture and your gait as your body compensates. Your chiropractor will check the alignment of your vertebrae and make small adjustments to correct any issues with your joints.
A well-aligned spine means less nerve pain and reduced inflammation in your lower back. It also improves your body’s natural communication (your nervous system), which relieves stress and encourages healing!
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy (massage therapy) increases circulation and reduces inflammation which promotes healing in your body. This is one of the most effective treatments for pain relief—and it’s completely natural!
With an understanding of the cause of your back pain, your chiropractor may also use ultrasound therapy to target deeper lying tissue in your back—and bring relief!
Targeted Exercises and Stretches
Chiropractic care is more than just pain relief—it’s a solution to the problem! Through targeted exercises, you’ll strengthen your back (or your core) to ensure your lower back pain doesn’t return. Expect some homework here!
Specific stretches will reduce tension and increase your mobility so that you can go on to enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle—without worrying about your back!
Whether your back is sore from an old injury, aging, or you’re experiencing unexplained aches and twinges, chiropractic care can help! Your chiropractor will treat the pain, prevent it from returning, and restore your quality of life! Contact Integrated Health, your local chiropractor in Atlanta, GA, and give your back the TLC it desperately needs.