Lower back pain is an inescapable human experience- almost everyone suffers from it at some point. It is the most common cause of job-related disability, as well as a major contributor to missed work days. Men and women are equally affected by lower back pain, which can vary in intensity from dull, minor aches to constant, sudden sharp sensations that affect other areas of the body. Stop living with back pain, and come see one of our chiropractors, physical therapists, or massage therapists at Goodyear Chiropractic.
Lower Back Pain Characteristics
Lower back pain is generally classified based on duration.
- Acute: Acute back pain tends to last about four weeks. However, 70-80% of patients report that they experience another episode of back pain within a year.
- Subacute: Subacute back pain can last anywhere between 4-12 weeks.
- Chronic: Chronic back pain is persistent, and can linger for 12 weeks or longer.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
- Injury and accidents: An unexpected forced moment of the back in any direction is known as “whiplash.” The “whipping” motion can cause injuries within the surrounding and supporting areas of the spine. The surrounding and supporting muscles react by tightening and contracting, resulting in pain, aches and stiffness.
- Muscle strain/sprain: A strain refers to a tearing of a muscle or tendon, while a sprain is the tearing of a ligament. Both can result from an injury or accident, causing pain and sometimes, muscle spasms.
- Old age: ruptured discs, spine osteoarthritis, sciatica, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, radiculopathy, and scoliosis are common medical conditions within senior citizens. These medical conditions directly affect the spine and can cause lower back pain.
- Daily life: Do you sit at a desk for long periods of time? Maybe you lift heavy equipment at work? No matter what type of activities your day consists of, poor posture, obesity and weak muscles can disrupt the spines balance, causing lower back pain. Stress and tension can cause the muscles to tighten and contract, resulting in pain, aches and stiffness.
Signs and Symptoms of Back Pain:
- Muscle ache
- Nerve pain
- Shooting/stabbing pain
- Pain that travels throughout your body
- Pain that get worse with bending, lifting, standing or walking
Most back pain lasts a few days and can be resolved within a few weeks. If your back pain worsens, is prolonged or is affecting other areas of your body, contact us at (414) 332-6001 immediately.
How Lower Back Pain is Diagnosed
- Chiropractic Adjustments
- Physical Therapy
- X-Rays
- Computerized Tomography Scan (CTS)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound Imaging
Lower back pain can be diagnosed a number of different ways. Most commonly, a chiropractor or physical therapist can easily perform a physical exam, locate the area or areas of pain, and treat it without imaging tests.
Adjustments and Treatment for Lower Back Pain
After the source of pain is located, our team of chiropractors will closely evaluate and inspect your body globally. This may include pressing on your spinal structures, as well as correlating areas of pain. Throughout the pain management treatment process, your posture, range of motion and physical condition will be assessed, as well as your refluxes, muscle strength, nerve damage and pain map.
Along with treating the source of the pain, the chiropractor will treat the whole person, not just your specific symptoms. We may offer tips on nutrition, managing your stress and lifestyle goals during your treatment session.
The most frustrating aspect of treating back pain is that it takes time for symptoms to resolve, which is why multiple chiropractic session are needed. Most individuals recover by avoiding stress to the back and regularly visiting our experienced team of specialists to educate you on how to properly manage the condition. Everyone’s back pain is unique. Let our team of physical therapists, chiropractors and massage therapist put the best plan together for you to manage this challenge.
Additional Back Pain Treatments:
Combine any of these additional treatments to your chiropractic visit to achieve further pain relief.
Stop Living with Lower Back Pain Today!
Contact us at (414) 332-6001 and schedule an appointment today. The combination of our collaborative team and multi-faceted approach work together to allow you to return to a pain-free life.