Chiropractic Treatments for Lower Back Pain

Did you know?

• More than half of American adults report having back pain every year.
• Lower back pain is the most common cause of disability.
  Back pain the most common reason for missed work and the second most common reason for doctor’s visits.
• Most back pain is caused by injury or strain, not more serious conditions like arthritis.
• It is easy to forget that your back, while it seems strong, can be easily injured.

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What can cause my back to ache?

Lower back pain is most commonly caused by injury or strain, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be because of great exertion or heavy lifting. Simply bending down to pick up your morning newspaper can cause excruciating pain if there is strain or damage to the dozens of individual ligaments, tendons, and muscles that make up your back. Arthritis of the spine or damage to the discs in between the vertebra can also cause significant discomfort.

Less commonly, you may find your lower back pain is being caused by internal problems. Kidney infections or kidney stones, for example, can cause extremely painful sensations in the lower back that have nothing to do with your muscles or spine. This type of lower back pain is something that would have to be diagnosed by your primary doctor, not your local Bethesda chiropractor.

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What can I do about it?

The first thing to do about lower back pain would be to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor in Bethesda. Our local offices are always happy to help you.

The most common treatment for lower back pain is a chiropractic technique known as spinal manipulation. This treatment is most often used for pain management and studies have suggested that it is the only “safe and effective drugless form of treatment for acute lower back problems in adults.” In many cases, spinal manipulation can be used to partially or completely alleviate lower back pain without the need for addictive pain killers or invasive surgeries.

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Is there anything I can do to prevent my back from hurting?

• There are a number of lifestyle changes that you can undertake to improve or eliminate your lower back pain. These include:
• Wear shoes with a low heel. This is especially important for women who suffer from back pain. High heels encourage an unnatural curvature of the spine.
• Keep moving. Mild to moderate activity encourages blood flow and can reduce pain. If you work in an office or at a desk, make it a point to get up and move around every 30-60 minutes.
• Work on your posture. Poor posture can contribute to lower back pain and most office or desk chairs are designed for comfort, not posture.
• Lift with your knees, not your back. Improper lifting techniques are the most common cause of back injury.
• Work with your local Bethesda chiropractor to create the best treatment plan for your needs.
• Lower back pain is miserable, but with the help of chiropractors in Bethesda, you can get rid of your pain and get your life back on track!

By Cory Aplin