If you suffer from back pain you’re not alone. In fact, about 80% of all people will have back pain at some point and it is one of the most common reasons for missed work, and the second most common reason for visiting a doctor (only behind upper respiratory infections).
So why is it so common? Well, there is a lot that goes into answering that question, but a large number of people have back pain due to the following three reasons:
Injury or Trauma
Lifting heavy objects, overexerting yourself, or moving the wrong way can all result in injury and back pain. This can come in the form of nerve pain as the nerve is stretched or irritated due to incorrect function in the joint or even a bulging/herniated disc. At the same time the muscles and ligaments in the back can stretched beyond their normal range and become damaged sometimes.
Back pain that is the result of a recent injury is called acute pain, meaning it comes on suddenly. Acute pain is usually temporary, so as the injury heals, the pain lessens or disappears completely. Over the counter medications such as analgesics, topical creams, and anti-inflammatory drugs help manage back pain caused from an injury but don’t necessary fix the problem.
Chiropractic care is another way to lessen acute pain and feel more comfortable. But as opposed to just masking the symptoms with pain medicine, chiropractic care gets to the source of the problem to address the issue causing the pain. By adjusting the spine, chiropractors can restore normal biomechanical function, and relieve abnormal stress on the joints and soft tissue. This also helps relieve acute pain faster than simply “suffering through” the injury.
Medical Condition or Illness
Unfortunately, there are several illnesses that can cause back pain. Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, inflammatory diseases of the joints, and scoliosis are some of the common conditions that cause back pain. Because the conditions create pain that lasts longer periods of time, this type of pain is considered to be chronic pain.
Chronic pain is an entirely different animal than acute pain, and patients who suffer with it often look for options outside of traditional medication. Chiropractic care is an excellent choice in dealing with chronic back pain.
Adjustments to the spine can promote healing in all areas of a person’s body, as well as provide relief from the pain. Chiropractic care for medical conditions can sometimes be a longer process, so the patient must be committed to the treatment plan the chiropractor suggests in order to enjoy the maximum benefits of chiropractic.
Poor Lifestyle Decisions
Decisions we make can affect our health, either negatively or positively. Being overweight, avoiding an exercise routine, and smoking are just a few that can result in health issues that cause back pain.
- Additional weightputs extra stress on an individual’s back that can eventually cause pain.
- Smokingis a habit that has many negative consequences, including increasing the chances for back pain. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), smoking can cause a lack of nutrients which affects the back’s discs. In addition, people who smoke tend to heal slower, so smoking can actually increase the length of time a person must endure back pain.
- Exercise increases a person’s strength in muscles and tendons, and a sedentary lifestyle weakens a person’s body, often bringing on back pain, as well as other health issues.
Chiropractic care can assist in lessening a patients back pain, which then hopefully leads to better lifestyle choices.
Feeling better often prompts patients to embark on a fitness routine, eat healthier, and quit smoking. Exercise regimens that include strength training can positively impact a person’s health in a number of ways, including back pain reduction.
Millions of people struggle with back pain on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are ways to treat both the symptoms and the underlying causes. Chiropractic care either by itself or in a combination with other treatments is one of the best choices available today.
