Low Back Pain
Low back pain is the pain felt in the lower back that may originate from muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. Low back pain is one of the most common medical problems experienced by most people at some time in their life. People with low back pain may have difficulty to perform everyday activities. Low back pain can be acute usually lasting from few days to few weeks, or chronic lasting for more than three months.
Low back pain is caused by lifting heavy objects or overload, sitting or standing for a longer time, direct blow over the area, or sports such as basketball, baseball, or golf that involve sudden twisting of lower back. The risk factors such as excess low back curvature, weak abdominal muscles, and forwardly tilted pelvis can increase the risk of low back pain.
The common symptoms include low back pain that radiates down to the buttocks; inflammation of the soft tissues that surround the muscles; stiffness in the low back; restricted movements; inability to maintain correct posture; muscle spasms; and pain which continues for a longer period.
Chiropractic treatment of low back pain
Chiropractic is a treatment of the problems affecting the nerves, muscles, bones and joints of your body without the use of medications or surgical treatment. Your chiropractor, a health care provider who provides chiropractic care will perform a physical examination and take a brief medical history to diagnose your condition. Other additional test such as X-ray of your spine may be required to confirm the diagnosis and provide necessary treatment.
The most common treatment is hands-on therapy called spinal manipulation or adjustment. Your chiropractor performs spinal manipulation by using hands to apply pressure and to move a joint slightly beyond their normal range of motion.
In chiropractic treatment the joints and bones in your spine are realigned using twisting, pulling, or pushing movements. Your chiropractor may also incorporate nutritional counseling and exercise or rehabilitation therapies into the treatment plan. In addition to back pain relief, chiropractic care restores the function and prevents the injury.
Prevention
Some of the preventive measures which can help prevent low back pain include:
- Doing warm up exercises before the start of any physical activity or sports and taking short breaks in between the activity.
- Ensure that you use correct lifting techniques such as squatting to lift a heavy object.
- Ensure that you maintain a proper posture while sitting and standing.
- If you are overweight or obese, it can strain the back muscles. Hence it is advised that you lose some weight and maintain a healthy diet.
- Exercise everyday as it improves spine stability and also prevents extra stress on your back.