Low Back Pain
f you've ever experienced low back pain, you're not alone. An estimated 85% of people experience low back pain severe enough to see a doctor at some point in their life. Yet, despite how common it is, the precise cause of pain can be unclear. Take a look at some of the conditions that cause low back pain.
Muscle or ligament strain.
Bulging or herniated discs.
Arthritis or disc degeneration.
Spinal stenosis.
Although the go-to recommendations include a balance of rest, stretching and exercise, heat, pain relievers, and time, there is a better way. We believe the best treatment for most low back pain is chiropractic. According to Harvard, a 2018 study published in JAMA Network Open is among the latest studies to weigh in on the pros and cons of chiropractic care for treating low back pain. Researchers enrolled 750 active-duty military personnel who complained of back pain. Half were randomly assigned to receive usual care (including medications, self-care, and physical therapy), while the other half received usual care plus up to 12 chiropractic treatments. Another study in 2020 showed that chiropractic care was more cost-effective than physical therapy.
After six weeks of treatment, those assigned to receive chiropractic care:
reported less pain intensity
experienced less disability and more improvement in function
reported higher satisfaction with their treatment
needed less pain medicine.
A low back that is out of alignment is a mechanical and a neurological problem. The lower back is designed to have a forward spinal curve, and this curve functions as a shock absorber or spring to protect the disc from excessive loads. Traumas and harmful habits such as auto accident injuries, lifting improperly, too much time sitting, and excessive computer use can misalign spinal joints - most commonly the L5 lumbar spinal segment. If the spinal bones have shifted out of place ever so slightly, the disc will be injured. An injured disc is a swollen disc and an improperly moving disc. When soft tissues of the disc are injured, inflammation and swelling fill the tissues. Inflammation and swelling create soft tissue expansion. Since the nerve root exits the spine right next to the disc, the soft tissue expands into the intervertebral foramen (IVF) and irritates the nearby nerve root. An irritated nerve root creates dis-ease, pain, radiculopathy, neuropathy, and eventually compromised body systems. New research shows that when our posture is off, our emotional state is off, too. When we are in pain, our physical, mental, and emotional health is negatively impacted.
Now, let's imagine the low back disc has thinned over time. Thinning of the disc occurs when the disc has been chronically injured, and the disc has not had the proper movement and nutrition over time. Remember, the disc is a nerve spacer for nearby nerve roots. The disc has a unique way to get its nutrition to stay thick - it's called imbibition. Imbibition is the pumping mechanism provided by a healthy alignment and full intersegmental range of motion of the spinal joints. Remember, proper movement is not evident when the disc is out of alignment or subluxated. Mechanically, the joint is not able to function correctly. If the spinal joint is not moving properly, it's not pumping and imbibing; if it's not pumping and imbibing, the disc is not getting fed, and its disc height will shrink or thin over time—the lack of nutrition and hydration to the disc results in a drying-up process. The breakdown process of the lumbar spine discs can be prevented if the spine functions appropriately and has a healthy alignment and posture. A Gonstead chiropractor is specifically trained to detect and correct spinal misalignments causing back pain and disc degeneration.
Common symptoms of low back pain that Gonstead doctors help with include the following:
Pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttocks, legs, or feet
Difficulty standing or sitting for long periods
Difficulty moving the legs or feet
Weakness in the legs or feet
Numbness or tingling in the legs or feet
Dull ache in the lower back
Sharp, shooting pain in the lower back
Stiffness or tightness in the lower back
References:
Robert H. Shmerling, MD. Should you see a chiropractor for low back pain? Harvard Health Publishing. 2020 Aug.https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/should-you-see-a-chiropractor-for-low-back-pain-2019073017412
Khodakarami N. Treatment of Patients with Low Back Pain: A Comparison of Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Manipulation. Healthcare (Basel). 2020 Feb 24;8(1):44. doi: 10.3390/healthcare8010044. PMID: 32102417; PMCID: PMC7151187.
Cuddy, Amy J.C., Caroline A. Wilmuth, and Dana R. Carney. "The Benefit of Power Posing Before a High-Stakes Social Evaluation." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 13-027, September 2012.
