Find Relief for Lower Back Pain with Our Trusted Doctors

Although the specific tissues causing low back pain are difficult to identify, chiropractic doctors have found a number of factors consistently present in low back pain patients. These factors include vertebral subluxations, faulty spinal biomechanics, deconditioned spinal musculature and the practice of poor postural habits and techniques. By addressing these factors – the actual causes of the tissue injury – chiropractic doctors are able to obtain extraordinary results in low back pain sufferers.

Common events leading or contributing to the development of lower back pain include:

• incomplete rehabilitation of past injuries
• lack of proper and periodic lumbar spinal alignments
• presence of lumbar spine subluxations
• improper lifting techniques
• auto accidents
• improper workstation setup
• poor posture
• prolonged sitting
• prolonged use of non-ergonomically designed equipment
• excessive repetitive torsal motions
• exposure to vibratory forces (truck drivers, jack hammer operators)
• scoliosis (lateral deviation of the spine)
• fallen foot arches and other foot abnormalities
• physical inactivity
• poor diet and nutritional practices
• smoking

Structures which are often the source of lower back pain include:

• lumbar intervertebral discs
• lumbar facet joints and joint capsules
• lumbar and pelvic muscles and ligaments
• lumbar and sacral spinal nerves
• sacroiliac joints

Back Pain Treatment Options

Here are some common treatment options for lower back pain:

Self-Care and Lifestyle Modifications:

• Rest: Short periods of rest can be helpful at first, but it’s generally not recommended to stay in bed for a long time because it can make your muscles weaker and make the pain worse.
• Ice and Heat Therapy: Alternating between ice packs and heating pads can help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. Apply ice for the first 48 hours after an injury, then switch to heat.
• Proper Posture: Good posture, when sitting and standing, can relieve pressure on the lower back and prevent strain.
• Exercise: Gentle exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can strengthen the muscles in the lower back, increase flexibility, and lessen pain.
• Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on the lower back and decrease the risk of back pain.
• Ergonomic Adjustments: Making ergonomic changes to workstations, chairs, and sleeping arrangements can help reduce strain on the lower back.

Medications:

• Over-the-counter Pain Relievers: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation.
• Muscle Relaxants: Prescription muscle relaxants may be prescribed for short-term relief of muscle spasms associated with lower back pain.
• Topical Analgesics: Creams, ointments, or patches containing ingredients such as capsaicin or lidocaine can provide localized pain relief.

Physical Therapy:

• Stretching and Strengthening Exercises: Physical therapists can give exercises to improve flexibility, strengthen core muscles, and stabilize the lower back.
• Manual Therapy: including massage, joint mobilization, and spinal manipulation, can help reduce pain, enhance mobility, and improve spinal alignment.
• Modalities: Therapeutic modalities like ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or traction may be used to reduce pain and muscle spasms, and promote healing.

Chiropractic Care:

• Spinal Adjustments: Chiropractors use manual adjustments or manipulations to realign the spine, improve joint function, and alleviate lower back pain.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Soft tissue therapy involves techniques like massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy which can help relieve muscle tension and lower back pain.

Injections:

• Epidural Steroid Injections: are used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
• Facet Joint Injections: Injecting a mix of local anesthetic and corticosteroids into the facet joints of the spine can ease arthritis or injury-related pain.

Surgery:

• Surgery can be an option for some causes of lower back pain, like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or vertebral fractures if other treatments haven’t helped.

Alternative Therapies:

• Acupuncture is a Chinese therapy that uses thin needles inserted into specific points on the body to relieve pain and promote healing.
• Mind-body techniques can help lower stress, improve coping skills, and manage chronic lower back pain. Some examples of these techniques include mindfulness meditation, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback.