So the new year is here and you’ve decided to finally get to the bottom of your lower back pain that has been nagging you for way to long.
Once and for all you’re finally going to do something about it.
The first step is understanding the various causes of low back pain and learning a little bit about the normal design anatomy of the tissues in this area of your body.
Important structures of the low back that can be related to symptoms there include the bony lumbar spine vertebrae, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area. Many muscle groups that are responsible for flexing, extending, and rotating the waist, as well as moving the lower extremities, attach to the lumbar spine through tendon insertions.
Fortunately, most occurences of low back pain go away within a few days. Most lower back pain follows injury or trauma to the back, but pain may also be caused by degenerative conditions such as arthritis or disc disease, osteoporosis or other bone diseases, viral infections, irritation to joints and discs, or congenital abnormalities in the spine.
Obesity, smoking, weight gain during pregnancy, stress, poor physical condition, posture inappropriate for the activity being performed, and poor sleeping position also may contribute to low back pain.
Nearly everyone has low back pain sometime. The risk of experiencing low back pain from disc disease or spinal degeneration increases with age.
Exercise may be the most effective way to speed recovery from low back pain and help strengthen back and abdominal muscles. (Read elsewhere on this website about proper back exercises)
Most low back pain is triggered by some combination of overuse, muscle strain, and injury to the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support the spine. When low back pain strikes, we become acutely aware of just how much we rely on a flexible, strong back. The causes of low back pain tend to be interrelated.
Just What Are the Low Back Pain Symptoms?
The term “low back pain” is used to describe a spectrum of symptoms. Depending on the cause, low back pain may be dull, burning, or sharp, covering a broad area or confined to a single point. Leg symptoms can be caused by lower spine problems that place pressure on a nerve to the leg; they can occur on their own or along with low back pain. Your health professional can assess acute low back pain by talking to you about your medical history and your work and physical activities, and doing a simple physical examination. However, some episodes of low back pain are signs of more serious conditions. Low back pain can result from something simple, like cleaning house or lifting a heavy box, or it can be caused by a diagnosable spine condition like a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease.
Effective pain relief may involve a combination of prescription drugs and over-the-counter remedies including BioFreeze (a product Colestock Family Chiropractic endorses and carries). Some type of Lumbar Support is also important for constant support for low back pain.
The vast majority of lower back pain conditions will eventually get better with time and can be addressed with non-surgical treatments, such as osteopathic or gentle chiropractic care such as the Activator Method Technique, physical therapy, pain medications, etc.. Low back pain responds very well to appropriate conservative treatment such as physical therapy with the Activator Method; along with proper medication which can be prescribed by your physician.
If you’re experiencing any kind of lower back pain and reside within driving distance of Mid-Michigan, contact Colestock Family Chiropractic in Eaton Rapids at 517.663.8825 to schedule an appointment today. As one of only a few thousand proficient-rated professionals in the entire world using the Activator Method Technique, Dr Denise Colestock is only a phone call away in alleviating your lower back pain in Mid-Michigan.