A Pain in the Back

Many people take their bodies for granted. These complicated machines allow us to sit, stand, walk, run and be active, but we don’t seem to take much notice until they start to hurt or they don’t function properly. The lower back, in particular, seems to cause a lot of problems when pain strikes, and that’s in part due to its importance in the body’s everyday functioning.

Lower back pain can be caused by a number of factors including overuse, muscle strain and injury to the muscles, ligaments and discs supporting the spine. Pressure on the nerve roots, which is what happens in the case of a herniated disc, and compression fractures, which are more common among women with osteoporosis, can also cause increased pain and pressure on the lower back and spine.

The lower back is a complicated part of the body where many different components come together to create a functioning machine, and when there is one problem with the lower back, other problems seem to piggyback on each other. To avoid using or feeling the pain in the lower back, people may move differently, which puts additional stress and strain on other muscles.

Lower back pain, like many medical maladies found throughout the body, can be avoided with careful oversight and preventative care. The back can be tweaked, twisted, strained and pained in a number of ways, but keeping a few things in mind can greatly reduce the risk of injury. For example, adequate stretching before and after exercising and throughout the day to work out cramps and stiffness is important. Being mindful of your movements (even little ones such as bending over to pick up a piece of trash on the ground) and taking steps to prevent wear and tear by lifting heavy objects properly, engaging the core muscles and avoiding long periods of time where you do nothing but sit in one place are also vital to a healthy and pain-free lower back.

In addition to taking these preventative measures to avoid lower back pain, regular visits to your upper cervical chiropractor can help ensure that the spine is aligned properly and messages sent throughout the body are delivered properly and without hindrance.

If lower back pain is already a problem for you, a common treatment plan involves a selection of several over-the-counter and prescription pain medications as well as surgery in only the most extreme cases. However, simple home remedies and self care can often alleviate the problem. Easing back into daily activities, doing back strengthening exercises, using heating pads or ice packs and sleeping on a medium-firm mattress may all help relieve your pain. In the long run, reducing stress in your life, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco also help in keeping lower back pain at bay so you can continue to live life to its fullest.

If you suffer from Low Back Pain, The Specific Chiropractic Center invites you to its monthly lecture series on Wednesday, June 29^th. Reserve your space today by calling 1-888-722-4467.

RESOURCES

Goins, Liesa. “How to Wreck Your Back.” WebMD.com. (February 19, 2010) Retrieved May 19, 2011 from http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/features/how-to-wreck-your-back.

“Lower Back Pain.” WebMD.com. (February 3, 2010) Retrieved May 19, 2011 from http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/tc/low-back-pain-topic-overview