Back pain leads the way for reasons that people visit a chiropractor. Not all patients experience back pain the same, however, and not all back pain is created equal. Many different causes create back pain in patients and their treatment methods change depending on the needs of the patient and the manner in which the injury was sustained. With this in mind, the Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont want to discuss the most common back irritants and their chiropractic treatment options.
Most Common Back Injuries
Misalignment
Injuries and irritation occur when the spine is misaligned which can result in pinching of the nerve, tightening of muscles, and inflammation. Misalignment can occur from poor posture, wrong lifting techniques, and many other causes.
Arthritis
Arthritis comes in many forms and affects many different areas throughout the body. Spinal arthritis can affect any area of the back but is most often found in the lower back. People use their lower back as a fulcrum for lifting, twisting, and supporting weight. This causes it to be more susceptible to arthritis as the body ages. A skilled chiropractor can provide gentle spinal manipulations that will realign the spine. This realignment combined with gentle exercise and an anti-inflammatory diet greatly improves the symptoms of spinal arthritis. Secondly, if the spine is kept aligned over your younger years it can markedly reduce the advance of this type of wear-and-tear arthritis.
Bulging Disc
Bulging discs are relatively common in the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine. They create mild to immense pain among patients depending on their severity, location, and the patient’s tolerance for pain of course. Bulging discs often appear due to microtrauma, sudden compression or load, and genetic factors. If you’ve experienced the pain gradually over time, it’s likely caused by poor posture while sitting, standing, and working. If you’ve experienced pain from an auto accident, it’s likely a sudden compression disc bulge. Unfortunately, the cartilage within the spine can be impacted by genetic factors. Patients with poor spinal genetics should focus on improving core stability, limiting stomach fat, and gaining strength in their legs. Our chiropractors treat bulging discs through spinal decompression and gentle manipulation. If left untreated, a bulging disc can become a ruptured or herniated disc.
Ruptured or Herniated Disc
Ruptured or Herniated Discs can occur when a bulging disc goes untreated. Over time, the outside of the disc, known as the annulus, cracks and allows the nucleus pulposus to protrude. This places further pressure on the nerves in the spine and causes immense pain among patients. Patients also experience tingling, numbness, back spasms, and radiating pain in the extremities among other symptoms. A chiropractor can use the flexion-distraction method to isolate the disc that is ruptured or herniated. They will focus on getting the protruding area of the disc to resume its natural, central position. This will take pressure off of the surrounding nerves and further neurostim and soft-tissue massage will be used to help the body hold this position. Some studies show that chiropractic is the best approach for these disc issues and, through our doctors, we add more effective care beyond the research!
Sciatica
Many Americans suffer from sciatica daily. Our skilled chiropractors successfully provide sciatica pain relief through our proven treatment process to fix the root issue of the pain, starting with alignment of the vertebra, progressing to nerve treatment for pain relief, and finally teaching the muscles to help hold that proper alignment. Through proper diagnosis, adjustments, neurostim, and soft tissue massage our patients experience quick, long-lasting relief.
Strain
Back strains top the list of the most common back injuries we treat at the Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont. They occur when patients over-stretch, over-lift, or over-twist their backs. Most strains are found in the lower back and cause mild to moderate back pain. When the soft tissue in your lower back is stretched or torn, it impacts the spine’s ability to support your weight and causes discomfort for patients. Our skilled chiropractors treat these strains with our award-winning treatment process. This helps patients recover quickly and maintain their new healthy spinal alignment longer.
SUMMARY – MOST COMMON BACK INJURIES?
Back pain is the leading cause for visiting a chiropractor in the United States. Our offices in Erie and Longmont Colorado regularly treat patients for back pain. The most common causes of back pain are misalignment, back strain, sciatica, ruptured discs, bulging discs, and spinal arthritis. Each of these diagnoses requires proper treatment and initial diagnosis to alleviate the pain associated with these conditions.
The Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont treat the body holistically with our award-winning treatment process to help your body achieve and maintain optimal performance. We specialize in treating adults suffering from back pain and have helped several patients find relief without the need for surgery. Contact us if you’re suffering from one of the above-mentioned conditions to schedule your appointment today! Our doctors, massage therapists, and staff are dedicated to ensuring you receive the holistic treatment you need! If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care in Longmont or Erie or have questions about what to expect during your first chiropractor visit in Erie or Longmont, call our offices today at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950!
