Struggling With Back Pain? Try Chiropractic Care!
Chronic back pain, common causes, and how occupational therapy can help
Have you been struggling with stubborn back pain that just won’t go away? Is it difficult for you to complete even simple tasks because of your condition? If so, you’re not alone! As much as 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in their lives. This common issue can feel debilitating at times, affecting your work, athletic performance, and even time spent with friends and family. While it is possible to recover from back pain on your own, more serious pain can lead to a chronic condition.
At Legacy Chiropractic, our chiropractors are licensed to treat back pain and help you manage symptoms as you ease back into normal life. If you’ve been struggling with chronic back pain, it’s time to call our clinic today!
Symptoms of chronic back pain
There are many symptoms of back pain, such as inflammation and swelling, cramping, achiness, and radiating pain in the lower extremities. Chronic pain that lasts for long periods of time can cause more serious symptoms such as fever, weight loss, and depression. Fortunately, with consistent therapy and healing methods, chronic back pain can be managed and even resolved. While recovery looks different for every patient, chronic back pain should be addressed as soon as possible!
Common conditions that cause back pain
- Muscle or ligament strain. Muscle and ligament strains occur for many reasons, such as sports injuries, car accidents, or unexpected falls. Constant tension in the back could result in muscle spasms or achiness.
- Bulging or ruptured disks. Disks serve as cushions in the spine between the bones. A disk’s soft interior can swell or burst, pressing on a nerve. This causes a bulging or ruptured disk which can inflict persistent back pain.
- Arthritis. Lower back pain is often a side effect of osteoarthritis. Spinal stenosis, also known as a narrowing of the area around the spinal cord, is a disorder that can occasionally result from arthritis in the spine.
- Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone condition that appears when bone mass and mineral density diminish or when the composition and strength of bone alter. This condition often occurs with aging as the bones begin to deteriorate.
- Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory disease that causes the bones in the spine to fuse, making the spine less flexible.
Back pain can also result from some daily activities or poor posture. Examples include:
- twisting
- coughing/sneezing
- muscle tension
- sitting with bad posture
- over-extending your limbs
- lifting something heavy
- sitting for long periods of time
- straining the neck
- long driving sessions
- sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t provide proper support
During chiropractic sessions, your OT will prescribe at-home exercises that will help you avoid these issues and advance your recovery.
How visiting a chiropractor can help
Our experienced chiropractors at River Ridge understand the toll that back pain may have on your life and can provide the treatment you need to return to daily life. Chiropractors can show you new, safer methods to achieve your daily tasks and prevent re-injury.
During your recovery, we will start with a comprehensive assessment of your condition, current symptoms, and other lifestyle factors that will help us outline your treatment program. Since back pain may have been impacting your ability to engage in any kind of physical activity, our chiropractors will help you return to daily tasks, exercise, and other activities that involve movement.
Treatments and what to expect
For back pain, treatment will generally focus on using proper body mechanics, maintaining healthy energy levels, and identifying pain signals to avoid overexertion. Your chiropractor will work with you to achieve your goals and learn how to participate in activities pain-free. They may also recommend any adjustments or equipment you may need for your environments, such as home or work.
Request an appointment today!
Tired of back pain taking over your life? Luckily, we have all the tools you need to succeed in treatment and start feeling like yourself again. Together, we will work to ease you back to normality and start building realistic and achievable lifestyle goals.
Ready to find relief? Contact us today!