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Back pain is a common condition where there is a pain in the back. An injury or other health conditions may cause the pain.
It can occur in anyone, people of all ages. Acute back pain begins suddenly and usually lasts for a short period (up to 12 weeks). Back pain is referred to as ‘Low back pain (LBP), primarily in the lower back.
Back pain can be either part of acute or chronic pain. It is more common in people over the age of 40 years old.
It is one of the most common reasons for missed work and visits to physicians. Although it is often self-limiting and with low morbidity (risk), it has a significant socioeconomic impact on society because of high direct and indirect costs.
Back pain causes a low quality of life, decreased health-related quality of life, sleep disturbance, and long-term reduction in workability. Back pain is also associated with high costs for society because of lost working days and early retirement.
It is defined as an ache or stiffness in the back. The back includes the muscle, bones, joints, ligaments, and tissues that support it.
It may or may not be associated with an injury (such as sprain/strain). Generally, sharp agitating pain originates in the back and spreads into the buttocks or legs. The onset of pain is usually sudden after an injury.
It can also be non-pathological (not associated with significant underlying medical pathology). Non-pathological back pain is widespread. Some estimates suggest more than 80% of people worldwide have experienced low back pain at least once in their life.
Acute back pain, also known as a slipped disc, is an injury to the soft tissues around the spine. It may develop after repetitive activity or from lifting something heavy. It could be a more serious medical condition if acute back pain does not improve with conservative treatment such as rest and everyday movement.
Isolated back pain is rarely a sign of a severe medical condition. In most cases, acute back pain resolves within several weeks, 2–4 weeks being the average time for symptoms to resolve.
Pain may follow the pattern of sciatic pains and can be felt in both sides of the lower back and even radiating down to the buttocks and legs.
Spinal stenosis is a common cause of back pain that results from narrowing the spine’s spaces that contain the spinal cord and nerves. An injury to the joints, muscles, bones, ligaments, or spinal discs causes back pain.
Spinal nerve roots can become compressed as they leave the spinal column causing pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of sensation.
Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent problems that affects the lower limbs. Some studies report that approximately 33%–50% of people aged 20 and above suffer from low back pain at any given moment.
Causes And Symptoms:
There are many causes of back pain, including severe conditions like tumors, blood vessel problems, and injury to bones, muscles, joints, and ligaments of the spine.
Back pain may also arise from other structures, such as nerves and the abdominal, pelvic, and chest organs.The back pain may originate from the neck because of nerve root impingement.
The symptoms of back pain are both physical and mental. Physical symptoms include:
- stiffness in the muscles
- red spots on the skin due to inflammation
- nausea
- vomiting
- heat or coldness in different body areas
- fever
- change in bowel habits
- or urinary problems
- a dull aching or burning sensation that is often worse at night and relieved by sitting or resting
- feeling like there is a fire running down your leg from your buttock to your foot
- trouble standing from a seated position
- muscle spasms
- shooting pains in areas of discomfort or numbness.
Mental symptoms can include:
- anxiety
- depression
- isolation
- lack of sleep
- and concentration
The cause of back pain is numerous. Common causes are:
- injury or strain/sprain
- spine degeneration due to incorrect posture
- stenosis
- arthritis
- degeneration or damage to bones
- ligaments
- Muscles
- Joints
- Discs
- or nerves.
The pain can also come from arthritis due to inflamed joints in the spine. Spinal stenosis can also be a cause.
Causing inflammation in joints of the spine resulting in pain radiating throughout the body, and sciatic nerve impingement caused by a bulging or herniated disc.
Acute back pain symptoms are sharp, stabbing, or piercing pain that is usually immediate in onset after an injury. The pain may also be mild to moderate and occurs with walking, extension (bending upward), sneezing, coughing, or lifting.
If the cause is non-pathological, it typically resolves within several weeks, 2–4 weeks being the average time for symptoms to resolve.
Treatments And Home Remedies:
Many treatments investigate in a bid to find effective strategies for treating low back pain. One such treatment that has received increasing attention over the past decade is spinal manipulation (SMT).
SMTs are used by osteopaths, physiotherapists, and chiropractors worldwide.
Stretching if it Supposes you want to increase flexibility, stretch only when you are warm up with a heating pad.
If you are experiencing acute back pain, it’s best to rest the area, take over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Ice the area for ten minutes every hour or two during the first few days, get plenty of sleep, and avoid strenuous activities that further aggravate the pain.
If you are experiencing chronic back pain and want to treat it naturally, here are some ideas that have been tried successfully by others:
- turmeric for inflammation
- apple cider vinegar for inflammation or infection
- magnesium citrate for constipation or restless leg syndrome,
- probiotics
- omega-3 fatty acids to promote healthy joints and good cardiovascular health
- vitamin D
- avoiding inflammatory foods like wheat and dairy
- don’t smoke or drink alcohol excessively
For pain relief, there are home remedies that have been tried successfully by others. Use a heating pad on low to medium for 15 minutes until the area is warm, then switch to an ice pack for 10 minutes every hour or two during the first few days.
Take OTC pain medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, eat ginger and take a ginger supplement for inflammation and nausea.
If the cause of acute back pain is an injury that resulted in a sprain/strain, avoid stretching the area as it could make your pain worse. If you want to extend the area, do so after warming with a heating pad if your back pain is due to degeneration of the spine, incorrect posture, or arthritis in the spine.
There are specific exercises like old yoga that can ease discomfort and improve mobility, strengthen your back muscles with gentle exercises like leg lifts or crunches with very lightweight to protect the spine, and use a supportive pillow at night.
If you want to decrease pain, use a low- to medium heating pad for 15 minutes until the area is warm, then switch to an ice pack for 10 minutes every hour or two during the first few days.
Prevention And Management:
Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and 90% of Americans will suffer from it at some point.
Acute back pain typically has a non-serious reason. Most acute back injuries result from an incorrect movement or posture (lifting something incorrectly), resulting in either a sprain/strain or soft tissue injury that typically resolves within several days to several weeks.
If the cause is more severe or if it persists despite rest, ice, and OTC pain medications, you should see a doctor for further testing.Visit our clinic Yentz Family Chiropractic in Germantown, WI.,
Chronic back pain is typically due to an injury that did not heal properly or degeneration of the spine caused by poor posture or old age (arthritis in the spine). If you want to prevent back pain, it helps to avoid injuries (don’t lift anything incorrectly).
Maintain a healthy weight; strengthen your core muscles with crunches, leg lifts, back extensions, and reverse crunches; avoid prolonged sitting or standing in one position without taking breaks to stretch your muscles; do not smoke or drink excessively.
If you have chronic back pain lasting longer than three months despite home remedies, consult your doctor about medication and therapy options.
Chiropractic Intervention:
Back pain chiropractor Germantown specializes in manual therapy to help alleviate pain and discomfort. Our focus is on the overall health of the body rather than just treating a specific back problem or pain, so we can offer advice/recommendations on preventing future spinal injuries and what exercises you should do to strengthen core muscles.
We also provide lifestyle advice for preventing back problems and how to address them through movement and exercise.
Back pain chiropractor Germantown is generally painless, gentle, and drug-free. However, if all back and neck pain stems from a misalignment in the spine, then “adjusting” that misalignment would be simple: pop the vertebrae back into place.
If there is a more severe cause of back pain like compression on the spine due to spinal degeneration or damage caused by trauma, chiropractic care might not help alleviate discomfort; however, some people experience immediate relief.
If a spinal misalignment is not the cause of your back pain, chiropractic care might reduce pain over time through regular adjustments to “reset” the spine.
Back pain chiropractor Germantown can recommend exercises that target specific back muscles to strengthen them and improve overall flexibility/mobility. We can also use cupping therapy to improve blood flow to muscles and loosen them up.
We also practice neuromuscular treatment, which focuses on manipulating muscles to ease tension and improve mobility.
Chiropractic care is beneficial for those with acute or chronic back problems. In addition, we offer things that drugs and traditional therapy cannot: pain relief/relief from discomfort caused by a misalignment in the spine and recommendations on how to prevent future injuries.
We also provide relief for people who don’t respond well to medications or want a drug-free treatment option. The benefits of chiropractic care far outweigh the possible risks it could cause, which are very few and not severe.
Be patient with the process. You might not see changes right away, but if you continue with regular visits over time, your back will get stronger, and discomfort/pain should lessen.
Remember, back pain chiropractor Germantown like us can benefit anyone who feels better without using medications/drugs or surgery. It promotes an overall healthy lifestyle that helps people avoid injuries and live more comfortable lives.
Don’t let back pain stop you from doing what you love; see us at Yentz Family Chiropractic and explore your treatment options.
Conclusion:
If you find yourself suffering from back pain and don’t know what to do, give us a call to make an appointment for your first chiropractic visit today!
We’re here with the knowledge and expertise that can help relieve any aches or pains you may be experiencing.
When we say relief is just around the corner, we mean it! All of our techniques are tailored to treat specific issues like arthritis in the spine as well as general soreness caused by aging or injury.