If you are like many Americans, you are currently experiencing back pain. This pain can be in your lower, middle or upper back. An estimated 32 million Americans are suffering from back pain at this moment and about 80% will experience it at some point in their life. Statistics such as these explain why the United States' number one cause of disability today is back pain. This brings up many questions about back pain causes, prevention, and treatment. The goal of chiropractor in Plantation is to use this article to answer your questions and help alleviate back pain.
BACK PAIN IN Plantation
The causes of back pain are virtually endless. The complex system of the back and spine require it to be both rigid, to support the body, as well as fluid to allow movement. This system is made up of many parts; ligaments, tendons, discs muscles and bones are the main components which can be damaged and cause pain. While small irritations and stresses can create back pain, it can be a result of major traumas, such as auto accidents. Because of this, it is often hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the pain.
Besides physical causes, conditions such as arthritis, obesity, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones can produce signs of lower back pain. With all of the possibilities in mind, it is important to find a doctor who is well versed in the area of pain management as well as all aspects of health, in order to correctly narrow down and find the root of the pain. Luckily, the staff at Plantation Health and Wellness are exactly these people. They have many years of experience and education with back pain and can accurately diagnose the problem. If this diagnosis is lacking, the smallest irritation can become overwhelming pain.
DISC BULGES OR HERNIATION
In many cases, a bulging or herniated disc is the most painful cause of back pain. It is also one of the most common ones. However, it should be noted that these conditions don’t always result in pain. Research has shown, through MRI use, that up to 37% of the American population has some severity of a disc bulge or herniation, many of which experience no pain. Nonetheless, the people who do experience pain from these conditions explain it to be intense and severe.
The position and type of herniation affect the type of pain felt. When the disc is misaligned, swollen, or irritated, it is possible for it to pinch a nerve, causing sharp pain and possible numbness, tingling and weakness to the legs. Pain from this is often described as shooting and stabbing. To understand herniated discs, it helps to picture them as jelly filled doughnuts. When the outer layer of the doughnut (discs) experiences wear and tear, they are likely to rupture and tear over time. As a result of this, the jelly can ooze out. Reversing this damage can be extremely difficult. However, chiropractic manipulation and care has resulted in the prevention of advancement in the herniation and relieve some or all of the pain.
SUBLUXATIONS
While disc herniations are the most common cause of back pain, subluxations are the most overlooked. A subluxation is the medical term which describes a vertebrae in the spine that is out of place. Resulting from subluxations, normal, fluid movement is impaired and a multitude of other conditions, including pain, can prevail. Subluxations can be caused by almost anything and be almost anywhere on your spinal column.
Subluxations can be an outcome of many events such as stress, physical trauma, and toxins. In the same way that stress partially leads to ulcers in the gut, physiological bodily changes also may occur for the same reasons, displacing a vertebrae. As with most injuries, timing is vital and the chiropractors at Plantation Health and Wellness are experienced in locating and fixing the subluxation quickly and effectively.
MUSCULAR SPRAINS AND TENDON OR LIGAMENT STRAINS
When you partake in activities which your body is not accustomed to, sprains and strains are likely to occur. An example of this is a runner attempting to run a marathon as the first race of the summer, without training much during the winter and spring. The use of these muscles is irregular and odd for the body and the muscles, tendons and ligaments get overworked, causing damage. Sprains of ligaments occur when the ligament is pushed past its capabilities and tears slightly. Spains of muscles are the result of the body moving awkwardly quickly, as well as lifting heavy objects. Sprains and strains can be incredibly painful and often appear with bruising and swelling. These forms of injury are directly related with the spine, meaning chiropractic care is able to help. We are fully capable and equipped to provide care for these types of injuries.
STRESS AND BACK PAIN
Constant stresses create a vastly different physiological profile for a person than those who do not encounter these stresses. While your body is stressed, many different hormones are released to try and deal with the situation. These hormones result in increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, a changed immune system and lowered bone density and muscle mass. When these hormones are released in the body, issues with relation to heart and digestive health, obesity, depression, and even back pain are common. When the stress hormones are released, the muscles in your body tense creating “trigger points”. These points are very painful, however, can be treated in Plantation with chiropractic care.
By going after the causes of back pain, rather than the symptoms, the results are much more successful and the treatment becomes easier. One thing all of the conditions listed above have in common is spinal misalignment. Luckily, the expert staff at Plantation Health and Wellness is equipped with the knowledge and tools to work towards bettering this issue.
Like with and pain or condition, a non-invasive and conservative yet effective approach is always the first option in treating back pain. If there are any other questions you have about your condition or about back pain as a whole, contact us at Plantation Health and Wellness. And if you are ready to take the leap towards health, call today and schedule and appointment.
Back Pain Q & A
Over 80% of Americans experience acute or chronic back pain at some point of their lives. Muscle strains, ligament or tendon damage, spinal disc injuries, or a combination of these cause back pain. The result is inflammation and nerve pain which can be mild or debilitating enough to restrict movement and interfere with your favorite activities. Injury from the following occurrences can also cause back pain:
- Auto accidents
- Improper lifting of heavy objects
- Sports injuries
- Obesity
- Subluxations
- Kidney stones
Determining the underlying cause of back pain requires the provider's expertise to ensure you get the most effective and appropriate treatment.
The provider diagnoses the underlying cause of back pain with an examination. This can include a range-of-motion test, muscle stimulus tests, orthopedic tests, and neurological tests. If necessary, further tests, such as MRIs or X-rays, might be ordered to ensure an accurate diagnosis. During the exam, your passive movements may also be used to pinpoint pain sources. You may be asked to perform simple exercises as well.
Our providers approach back pain with conservative and cost-effective treatments. After examining the patient to find the cause of the back pain, he develops a course of treatment to focus on the pain and its underlying cause. For joint pain relief, the application of a specific gentle chiropractic adjustment is used to return the joint to normal function and ease the pain and inflammation. As the joints are put back into alignment, it corrects any subluxations, allowing normal nerve transmission to resume, restoring mobility, and relieving muscle tightness.