Everything You Need To Know About Lower Back Pain

The spine is your body’s main support structure for connecting major nerves, blood vessels, and other musculoskeletal systems to the rest of the body. When functioning correctly, it allows you to stand, walk, bend, twist and move freely. However, when lower back pain strikes, even bending to put socks on can become an excruciatingly painful task.

Lower back pain is the most common type of pain reported by patients, with about one-fourth of all U.S. adults reporting low back pain in the past 3 months.¹ Pain that can last anywhere from 24 hours to a few months, or even years, has an extremely negative effect on one’s life; but thankfully there are many natural chiropractic treatments for lower back pain to get you moving again pain-free.

What is lower back pain?

Your lower back is a complex structure made up of five vertebrae (referred to as L1-L5) in the lumbar region, which supports most of your upper body weight. These vertebrae are cushioned by shock pads called intervertebral discs, held in place by ligaments, and attached to the muscles by tendons.

Movement, sensitivity, and pain are then controlled by thirty-one pairs of nerves connected to the spinal cord that continually send signals to the brain. Disrupt one or more of these complex structures and lower back pain quickly develops.

Pain levels and intensity can vary from a minor annoyance such as a dull ache to severe stabbing pain that greatly hinders your ability to move. It may appear suddenly such as from an accident, or it may develop slowly over time due to aging and/or wear and tear.

Lower back pain is classified into three categories based on the longevity of pain.

• Acute back pain - lasting less than 4 weeks.
• Subacute back pain - lasts 4 to 12 weeks.
• Chronic back pain - lasts more than 12 weeks.

What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain is often a mechanical issue meaning there is a disruption in the mechanics of the spine such as nerves, tendons, ligaments, etc., and how they fit together.

Mechanical lower back pain can be caused by:

• Sprains - tears in ligaments, muscles, or tendons often caused by sudden movement or jarring of the back
• Injury - compressed discs, fractures, and/or muscle, tendon, and ligament tears often caused by accidents such as a fall or lifting something heavy
• Congenital Disorders - Irregular spinal structure or growth caused by conditions such as Spina Bifida, scoliosis, etc.
• Nerve and Spinal Cord Problems - nerve compression, inflammation, and/or injury caused by traumatic injury, sciatica, osteoporosis, infection, herniated disc (intervertebral discs become compressed and bulge outward), etc.
• Degenerative Issues - deterioration of the joints, discs, vertebrae, etc. caused by arthritis, aging, or other degenerative issues
• Non- Spine-Related Issues - other areas or conditions of your body can present as or cause lower back pain such as pregnancy, kidney stones, tumors, etc.

Can lower back pain be prevented?

Lower back pain can affect anyone at any age and although some conditions such as scoliosis (a curvature of the spine) are congenital and more difficult to manage, there are several steps you can take to lower your risk of lower back pain and treat current back pain including regular routine visits to a chiropractor here at Stop Spine Chiropractic.

Lower back pain resulting from improper body mechanics may be prevented by avoiding movements that strain or jolt the spine, exercising, healthy eating, maintaining correct posture, maintaining a healthy weight, and lifting objects properly.

However, once suffering from lower back pain, there is a substantial risk of it becoming a chronic condition. In fact, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, roughly 20% of those who suffer from low back pain will eventually suffer from chronic pain.² Therefore, it is essential to restore your musculoskeletal system to avoid future flare ups and reduce the risk of it becoming a chronic condition.

This can be done through gentle, non-invasive chiropractic treatments designed to restore spine health. Through a series of adjustments to the spine, hips, neck, etc., your chiropractor can restore normal function to the nerves, muscles, tendons, discs, and ligaments. This allows your body to heal naturally.

How can chiropractic care help me?

Chiropractors are trained in all aspects of human body structure from bones and muscles to nerve and ligament health. This allows them to get to the root cause of your lower back pain and treat the body as a whole instead of only treating the painful area.

Gentle spinal and whole-body adjustments performed by a licensed chiropractor at Spine Stop Chiropractic allow the body systems to function correctly by removing blockages, pressure, and inflammation. This allows your body to heal naturally while strengthening the spine to help prevent future occurrences and pain.

Chiropractic Benefits for Lower Back Pain Include:

• Natural, effective pain relief
• Strengthens your body’s main support structures
• Helps prevent future flare ups
• Restores movement and mobility
• Proactive care to support nerve health, blood flow, and overall body wellness
• Education and lifestyle recommendations to enhance healing, balance, strength, and more

If you or a loved one are suffering from acute or chronic lower back pain, our doctors here at Spine Stop Chiropractic can help restore your quality of life and get you back to the activities you love. Don’t allow lower back pain to control your life. You can move freely without pain.

Contact us today for a consultation with one of our doctors and discover the natural way to walk away from lower back pain.

We understand that not everyone is familiar with chiropractic care, so all new patients receive a consultation, examination and if necessary, an x-ray. Then our doctors will review your condition and walk you through an easy-to-follow treatment plan that’s unique to you.

There’s no pressure when you visit our office. Our friendly staff want to answer any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.