Let Us Help Reduce Your Lower Back Pain
Back pain is the second most common reason for doctor’s office visits, surpassed only by upper-respiratory infections. Estimates indicate that more than half of the adult population each year is affected by low back pain.
Recent studies show that back pain will not go away on its own. When back pain is not treated, there may be temporary relief, but the pain will most likely return. We, at Ocon Family Chiropractic, can treat your sporadic or recurring low back pain.
Unlike the thoracic spine which is supported and stabilized by the rib cage, the low back, like the neck, is a very unstable part of the spine, making it susceptible to injury and pain. While this instability creates mobility, allowing us to touch our toes, tie our shoes or bend and pick something up it also increases the risk of injury.
A healthy and functioning low back can withstand tremendous forces without injury. If the low back is out of adjustment or has weakened supporting muscles, however, injury can occur through simple movements like taking a grocery bag out of the car trunk or picking something up off the floor, or even simply bending down to pet the cat.
The Causes of Low Back Pain
Back pain is a result of: sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points and inflamed joints. Additionally, problems arising from arthritis, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress, kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots or bone loss can lead to pain. Sports injuries or accidents can lead to injury and pain, also.
My team can diagnose the cause and determine the proper treatment for low back pain. The most common causes are:
Subluxations
Whenever there is a misalignment of the vertebrae, the result is pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, these usually occur at the transition between the lower spine and the sacrum. This misalignment, which can lead to debilitating low back pain, is easily treatable and quite often results in an almost immediate and significant reduction in pain.
Disc Herniations
Herniated discs, a source of intense and debilitating pain that frequently radiates to other areas of the body, rarely, if ever, completely heal. Fortunately, with regular chiropractic care further deterioration can often be avoided.
Sprains, Strains and Spasms
Weekend warriors are well-acquainted with this type of pain, created by over-exertion on the weekend after little or no physical activity during the week. Overworking the muscles or ligaments of the low back can lead to small tears in the tissues, which then become painful, swollen and tight. By the end of the weekend, this low back pain leaves people flat on their back, just counting down the hours before they can get in to see their chiropractor.
Stress
Our body’s response to stress manifests in, not only, increased blood pressure and heart rate but also a flood of stress hormones and tightening of muscles. Chronic stress causes muscles to become sore, weak and loaded with trigger points. If stress is causing low back pain, it is important to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, as well as to get regular exercise and see your chiropractor.
Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic
Treatment for low back pain is straightforward. It’s simply a matter of adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal motion and position of the bones and joints.
Chiropractic for the low back is the most effective treatment. Major studies have shown that chiropractic care is cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than any other treatment. Chiropractic care is the only method of treatment that serves to re-establish normal vertebral motion and position in the spine. Other treatments, such as muscle relaxants, pain killers and bed rest only serve to decrease the symptoms of the problem and do not correct the problem itself.
Contact Ocon Family Chriopractic today and schedule an appointment.