Low Back Pain

What causes back pain?

There are numerous causes of back pain. Some people suffer from back pain as a result of their habits and lifestyle choices, such as having poor posture or using the wrong technique when lifting and carrying.

Other people have back pain because of injuries they sustained while playing sports or pursuing active hobbies, where they pulled or tore their back muscles or damaged their tendons and ligaments.

Another major cause of back pain is traumatic injury from a car wreck or other accident. Car crashes result in problems like whiplash, which can cause pain in the shoulders and neck and symptoms including:

• Irritability
• Difficulty sleeping
• Inability to focus
• Dizziness
• Headaches

There are also many people who suffer from back pain as a result of common spinal conditions.

What spinal conditions cause back pain?

Some of the spinal conditions that most commonly cause back pain include:

Herniated disc

The discs in your spine are the spongy cushions found between the vertebrae. These cushions provide protection for the vertebrae so you can walk and run comfortably. Without the discs, your vertebrae would rub against one another resulting in constant pain.

Each disc has a tough outer shell and a soft interior jelly. If the outside of the disc weakens, the jelly inside can push against it, causing a bulging disc. If the jelly pushes right through the outer layer, you have a herniated disc.

Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition where the nerves in the lower part of your spine come under pressure, often from the lower vertebrae of your back. Sciatica can cause the nerves to tingle or become numb. Sciatica often causes pain that runs down through the buttock and into the leg as it follows the path of the sciatic nerve.

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which your spinal canal starts to narrow. The spinal canal contains your spinal cord and a collection of nerves that branch out of it. When the spinal canal narrows, it pinches the nerves, causing back pain.

How is back pain treated?

At Ascent Chiropractic, the team can help relieve your back pain in a variety of ways. Some of the most common treatments they use to provide relief for back pain include:

• Spinal adjustment: realigns the vertebrae of the spine
• Massage therapy: helps to improve blood flow to injured areas of the body and loosens tight muscles
• Lifestyle advice: helps patients adopt better habits and avoid the causes of injury and sore muscles
• Corrective exercises: teaches you how to perform corrective exercises and stretches

To find out more about the benefits of chiropractic treatment for back pain, call Ascent Chiropractic today to book an appointment.