Can Chiropractic Help Back Pain?
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is second in frequency only to the common cold. It affects more than 80% of the population. However, unlike the common cold, back pain is often puzzling to most of its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving the problem.
Anatomy
Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is very important in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are comprised of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the action of the spine. The inter-vertebral discs join the bodies of the vertebrae and are made of a form of tough cartilage that surrounds a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also join the vertebrae. The sacrum is a wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. It is attached to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is situated between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae.
Causes of Back Pain
Most back pain sufferers have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cause of most back pain is the cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, harmful work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise and other poor lifestyle-related factors. These cumulative factors cause stresses and imbalances on the spine and, therefore, some may injure their back just by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this comes about, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine can occur during and after prolonged sitting, specifically in a slouched position. Eventually the lower spine loses its customary function and no longer can accommodate for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, permitting the soft nucleus to distend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it causes the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, an individual can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and sometimes weakness in the lower extremities. Sometimes if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is required to remove the herniated disc material. However, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, as well as postural exercises, most of these cases can healthfully mend. If you are experiencing any of the conditions defined above, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic assistance.
Spondylosis
Repetitive injury to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may result in increased erosion and weight-bearing stress on the spine. This stress can adversely affect the cartilage around the joints and engender calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can compress adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This constriction causes a form of arthritis, called Spondylosis, that can also occur as part of the aging process of the spine. However, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic care and overall chiropractic management is extraordinarily helpful in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as assisting Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has helped many Spondylosis sufferers.
Sacroiliac Problems
Another general area of dysfunction or injury in the low back is in the sacroiliac joints. These weight-bearing joints connect the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are usually very strong and stable. Damage from falls, sports injuries, or the lifting of heavy objects can cause the joints to become unstable and move to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation causes imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Pain occurs particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during and after physical activity, and the individual may experience a lack of energy and feeling tired easily. Other symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, can move further up the spine. Chiropractic adjustments and treatment are extremely effective in ameliorating this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can receive effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can prevail on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. They not only produce pain, but they can also imparel the spinal nerves as they exit the foramen or spaces between the vertebrae, and cause nerve compression, known as paraethesia. Paraesthesia is a change of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities more often than notoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve dysfunctionin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also belinked to, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best eliminated by chiropractic adjustments.
Trauma
Damage such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause trauma to the spine and lower back. Often these traumas cause over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this occurs a person can experience considerable pain and immobility. Corrective chiropractic treatment at the onset of symptoms is very important in order to avoid long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.
When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and highly competent treatment for any of the above-mentioned dysfunctions of the spine and lower back.