Struggling with Back Pain?
Whether it is located in your upper, middle, or lower back, most people will experience some form of back pain in their life. In fact, an estimated 32 million Americans are currently suffering from back pain at this moment. Back pain has become the #1 cause of disability in the United States and is quickly becoming a major concern for many people. This article will lay out what causes lower back pain, how to prevent it, and what the best form of treatment is once it has developed in Delafield WI, Oak Creek WI, or Wauwatosa WI.
Back Pain
When referring to the back, you are referencing a large area of the human body containing many tendons, muscles, bones, and discs. A large understanding of these body parts paired with experience makes it easier to pinpoint the source of pain. Below are a few symptoms for common conditions along with the way in which chiropractic care can benefit you. We advise those suffering from back pain to come into our office to receive care and a more accurate diagnosis from an experienced professional.
“Can Chiropractic Help Me Be More Productive at Work?”
"For months before coming to Connect Chiropractic, I had been experiencing pretty chronic mid and lower back pain. The longer I would sit or stand, the worse the pain would become, and it was definitely beginning to negatively affect my productivity at work. I decided to come to check out Connect once my performance began to suffer, and I am very happy that I did!
My results since coming to see the doctors at Connect have been substantial! While my back still hurts from time to time, the pain is not nearly as consistent as it was prior to starting about 90 days ago. I know that everything takes time, and I'm still a chiropractic patient because I don't want to go backward after all the progress I have made so far. I would definitely say that chiropractic care has had a positive influence on my life because I am now able to focus on the right things in life instead of expending my energy on my pain!
The office is very clean and efficient, and the staff is friendly. They have been awesome! Dr. Alex is an amazing guy, very charismatic, and has excellent attention to detail. Overall, I am very happy with how I'm progressing! I would absolutely recommend chiropractic care to others and have already referred a good friend of mine who is now a patient at Connect as well!”
- Jeff
Disc Bulges or Herniation
One of the most common and painful causes of back pain is a disc bulge or herniation. A disc herniation is when the outer edges of the disc are worn away over time, ultimately exposing the nerves. According to MRI studies, as many as 37% of the American population have a disc bulge or herniation, with the vast majority of those diagnosed not reporting any pain. On the other hand, the people who are experiencing pain often describe it as severe and intense.
The type of pain that is experienced due to a disc herniation depends on the type and position of the herniation. If the damaged disc is irritating a surrounding nerve, shooting pain and weakness in the legs may develop.
Unfortunately, herniation can be very difficult to reverse, but chiropractic care has been shown to prevent the advancement of herniation and provide relief from the associated pain.
Subluxations
Subluxations are one of the most commonly overlooked contributors to back pain. Essentially, when a vertebra is out of position, it can cause a lot of pain and impede your movement. Subluxations can occur anywhere in the spine and can be caused by physical trauma, stress, and toxins. The time frame to correct subluxations varies, depending on both the individual, the severity of the subluxation and other factors.
Muscular Sprains and Tendon or Ligament Strains
Strains and sprains can occur in anyone, but they typically occur in people who engage in tasks that their body is not accustomed to or push themselves too hard. Ligament sprains are typically caused by stretching and tearing the ligament. Muscular strains are commonly caused by improper lifting form. Strains and sprains can be quite painful and are often accompanied by swelling and bruising of the surrounding area. On the upside, strains and sprains are rarely serious and typically respond very well to chiropractic care.
Stress and Back Pain
People with chronic stress have a very different physiological profile than those who don't. Elevated stress levels have been shown to contribute to the development of heart disease, digestive issues, depression, obesity, and back pain. The tension produced by chronic stress causes a contraction of muscle tissue creating “trigger points” which can be extremely painful.
If you are suffering from back pain or have any further questions, please contact our chiropractic team at Connect Chiropractic today to schedule a consultation.
