Pain in Lower Back – Chiropractic Treatment

If you have experienced low back pain, you are not alone. It is estimated that 80% of the population will experience low back pain at some point during their life. Low back pain is the second most common reason people visit their primary care physician. Low back pain is also a very common and a very costly cause of time missed from work. 

Risk Factors for Lower Back Pain

So what factors increase your risk for developing low back pain? Low back pain is most common between 30-50 years old and occurs equally in men and women. Prolonged sitting at work or at home increases your risk for developing low back pain. A lack of exercise or a sudden increase in exercise can also increase your chances of experiencing low back pain. As you age, your chances of having low back pain that is caused by arthritis or spinal degeneration increases. Children who wear backpacks that are too large or that are too heavy are also at risk for developing low back pain.

Causes for Lower Back Pain

Low back pain is a common symptom, and it can be caused by many different underlying problems. It can be caused by facet syndrome, disc bulges, sacroiliac syndrome, arthritis, and many other conditions. Each of these underlying causes results in a slightly different pattern of low back pain.

Facet Syndrome and Lower Back Pain

Facet syndrome produces a very sharp low back pain that is worse with standing and worse with leaning back. Facet syndrome is most often caused by a sudden motion that misaligns the joints. The joints lock-up, swell, and cause muscular spasms to protect the area.

Bulged Discs and Lower Back Pain

Disc bulges cause low back pain that is deep and sharp, worse with sitting, and sometimes associated with shooting leg pain. Disc bulges occur very suddenly and often happen after twisting or leaning over to pick something up. The bulging disc can press on spinal nerves and cause pain to shoot down the leg.

Sacroiliac Joint Pain and Lower Back Pain

Sacroiliac syndrome produces low back pain that is achy and sharp at times, worse on one side of the back, and worse with walking. Sometimes sacroiliac pain is mistaken for hip pain. The sacroiliac joint causes pain when it is misaligned, and it can become misaligned due to a fall, walking unevenly, or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.

Arthritis and Lower Back Pain

Arthritis causes a dull and achy low back pain that is typically worse in the morning, just after waking up, or at the end of a long day. Arthritis can also act up after prolonged sitting or standing. It causes a feeling of stiffness because arthritis changes the shape of the joint and decreases the motion of the joint.

Preventing Lower Back Pain

Even though there are many different causes of low back pain, there are things you can do to decrease your chances of experiencing low back pain. Always try to sit or stand in a neutral position with your shoulders back and your weight distributed equally between your hips and feet. Get up and move around after you have been sitting for 30 minutes to prevent stiffness and maintain flexibility in your low back. Bend at the knee instead of the waist when picking things up. Always ask for help when lifting heavy objects, and lift with your legs instead of your back. Finally, always stretch before any physical activity to warm up your muscles and prevent injuries.

Relief From Lower Back Pain

What can you do if you already have low back pain? Chiropractic care is an effective way to relieve and prevent low back pain. Your chiropractor can assess your problem and determine what the underlying cause of your low back pain is. Once the cause of your pain has been determined, treatment to eliminate your back pain at its root cause can begin. Chiropractic adjustments restore proper motion to the joints, relieve muscular spasms, and relieve pain. Early treatment can speed up your recovery time so you can get back to normal faster than if you just wait for the pain to go away. Also, untreated back pain reoccurs 80% of the time. By restoring proper spinal function, chiropractic care can help prevent these reoccurrences.

Lower Back Pain Appointments in the Edwardsville, IL Area

To determine if chiropractic care would help you relieve your low back pain, or to speak with a chiropractor in the Edwardsville,IL area, call Dr. Emily Brueggeman at 618-692-0000 . Ask for a free Invitation to Health which includes a consultation and screening to determine if your case is a chiropractic case.