5 Major Indicators of Back Pain Problems

Back pain can be uncomfortable. It affects people of all ages for various reasons. As people grow older, they increase the risk of getting lower back pain. The causes may be degenerative disks and the previous occupation. Lower back pain is linked to disks between the vertebrae, nerves, spinal cord, skin around the lumbar area, and the abdominal region. If you experience persisting back pain, visit a lower back pain chiropractor near you. Pain in the upper part may be caused by spine inflammation, aorta, and chest tumors.

Are you wondering what a chiropractor can do for lower back pain? Learn more about the treatment in this article.

Causes of Back Pain

Problems with components that make up the human back are what causes back pain. It can result from strain, poor body posture, among others.

Strain

Back pain is commonly caused by injury, strain, and tension. These causes include:

• Falling, fracture, or injuries
• Tension of muscle
• Muscle spasm
• Having damaged disks
• Your muscles or ligaments are strained

The factors that lead to strains are:

• Lifting of heavy objects
• You lift an object improperly
• Making a sudden awkward movement

Movement and Posture

People who use computers for a long period in a curved sitting position develop back problems over time. Day-to-day activities and poor posture lead to back pain too. They include:

• Overstretching your back
• Having episodes of muscle tension
• Coughing or sneezing
• You strain your neck forward
• Being in a curved posture for a long period
• When you drive for a long time without breaks
• Sleeping in an uncomfortable bed that doesn’t keep your back spine straight
• Standing or sitting for an extended period
• Having arthritis: It narrows the space around the spinal cord in the spine. Also, some conditions like spinal stenosis and osteoarthritis affect the lower back.
• Spine cancer: Having tumors on the spine can expand and weaken the bone. This causes fractures of the vertebrae and presses against the nerves causing back pain.

Symptoms

The main symptom is a sharp pain in the back. The pain fades without treatment. However, if the pain persists, visit a chiropractor for back pain near you. Other symptoms include:

• Feeling pain down the legs and below the knees
• Loss of weight
• Persistent pain in the back that doesn’t go away even after lying down
• Swelling on the back
• Numbness on the buttocks

When to See a Chiropractor for Back Pain

You should look for medical attention if the back pain;

• is accompanied by fever
• doesn’t improve when you rest
• cause numbness in the legs
• happens after a fall or an injury
• make you feel weak and lose weight
• is causing trouble in passing your stool or urine

How do Chiropractors Treat Back Pain?

With home remedies and rest, back pain usually fades away. However, it’s necessary to seek medical treatment. At South Bay Wellness Center, our chiropractor will recommend physical therapy or the following medication.

Medication: Some back pain conditions will not respond well to OTC painkillers. NSAID prescription is applied in such cases. Also, narcotics like codeine may be prescribed for a short time, but they are closely monitored by your doctor.

Physical therapy: Pain can be alleviated by electrical stimulation, applying ice, heat, or ultrasound. Your therapist introduces some health exercises for the back as the pain improves. Also, you’ll be encouraged to practice techniques that improve posture.

In case of herniated disk and nerve compression, your back pain chiropractor will perform surgery. Surgical procedures include:

• Fusion where two vertebrae are joined together
• Discectomy: An irritating part of a disk is removed.

Prevention of Back Pain

You can prevent the occurrence of back pain and keep your back strong by:

• Building muscle flexibility and strength: By doing back muscle and abdominal exercises, your core is strengthened, which helps your muscles work together.
• Avoid smoking: Smokers are at higher risk of lower back pain than non-smokers. The more you smoke, the higher the risk. Quitting will help reduce the risk.
• Checking weight: Being obese will strain the back muscles because weight is carried in the abdominal area, but having a normal weight will prevent back pain.
• Exercising: Regular exercise control body weight and increase body strength. This helps your muscles to function well.