The low back can handle a lot of force without getting hurt. But if it’s not aligned right or doesn’t have strong muscles supporting it, something as simple as carrying a bag of groceries can hurt it. Back pain is really common, with 80% of people getting it at some point in their lives. It’s the second most common reason people go to the doctor, after upper-respiratory infections. More than half of all grown-ups have low back pain each year, and more than 10% of people get it a lot. The low back is a really unstable part of the spine, which makes it easy to move around and touch our toes. But this also makes it easier to get hurt. If the low back is healthy, it can handle a lot of force without getting hurt, like when powerlifters pick up really heavy weights. But if it’s not healthy or strong, something as simple as picking up something off the ground can hurt it. Scientists used to think back pain would go away on its own, but now we know it’s not true. (MM 120) Back pain that’s not treated may go away for a little while, but it will probably come back. It’s important to take low back pain seriously and see a chiropractor to get help. If you have pain that keeps coming back, you should definitely get help. Contact our chiropractor and we’ll help you feel better!

what causes low back pain?

Low back pain can result from many different conditions, including sprained ligaments, strained muscles, ruptured disks, trigger points, and inflamed joints, as well as sports injuries, accidents, poor posture, obesity, psychological stress, and health problems like arthritis, kidney stones, infections, blood clots, or bone loss. Even simple movements like picking up a pencil can lead to pain. Given the multitude of potential causes and the potential severity of some conditions, it’s important to seek professional help from a chiropractor who can diagnose the cause and determine the proper treatment for low back pain. So, if you are experiencing low back pain, seek professional help to figure out the cause and get the right treatment. Here are some common causes:

Subluxations

When the vertebrae in the spine move or shift from their normal position, it can cause pain and inflammation. In the lumbar spine, this often happens where the lower spine meets the sacrum. These shifts, called subluxations, can cause severe low back pain. Luckily, subluxations can be easily treated and often lead to a significant reduction in pain, sometimes right after treatment.

Herniated Discs

Many people think that having a herniated disc always means you will have low back pain, but this is not true. In fact, almost half of all adults have at least one bulging or herniated disc, but they don’t always experience back pain because of it. However, herniated discs can cause severe and painful symptoms that spread to other parts of the body. Once a disc herniates, it is unlikely to completely heal, but regular chiropractic care can help prevent further damage. Although, full recovery is not very common.

Muscle Spasms, Sprains and Strains

Weekend warriors often experience low back pain due to overworking their muscles and ligaments. These individuals usually have little physical activity during the week, but push themselves too hard during the weekend. As a result, they may find themselves lying flat on their back, waiting to see a chiropractor. Overworking the muscles and ligaments can cause small tears, leading to painful, swollen, and tight tissues.

Stress

When you experience stress, your body responds by increasing your heart rate and blood pressure, releasing stress hormones, and causing your muscles to become tense. This can lead to chronic muscle tension, weakness, and trigger points, which can cause low back pain. If you are under constant stress and experiencing low back pain, it is important to practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and exercise regularly to help alleviate the pain.

Chiropractic treatment for Low Back Pain

Chiropractors usually treat low back pain by adjusting the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to restore the normal position and movement of bones and joints. Chiropractic care has been found to be the most effective treatment for low back pain in several major studies, and it is also cheaper and has better long-term outcomes than other treatments. This is because chiropractic care is the only treatment that addresses the root of the problem by restoring normal vertebral motion and position in the spine, while other treatments like pain killers and bed rest only relieve the symptoms.