Low Back Pain
Low back pain is second in prevalence only to the common cold. It affects more than 80% of human being. However, unlike the common cold, back pain is often a mystery to most of its sufferers. Your Forth Worth chiropractor is an expert at solving that mystery.
Anatomy
Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is essential in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are made of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to direct the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, composed of strong cartilage, connect the bodies of the vertebrae. This strong cartilage surrounds the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also join the vertebrae. The sacrum is a wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. It is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is situated between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae.
Causes of Back Pain
The majority of back pain patients have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other poor lifestyle-related factors cause most back pain. All of these factors create stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually produce pain. This is why people can often injure their back just by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this comes about, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Prolonged sitting, specifically in a awkward position produces increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles encompassing the spine. After a while the lower spine loses its ability to function normally during everyday stresses. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, permitting the soft nucleus to distend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it causes the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, an individual can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and sometimes weakness in the lower extremities. Sadly, if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition isn’t managed appropriately, surgery may beneeded to clear away the herniated disc material. Nonetheless, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, as well as postural exercises, most of these cases can healthfully heal. If you are experiencing any of the problems defined above, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic treatment.
Spondylosis
Increased wearing away and weight-bearing stress on the spine occurs when there is repetitive injury to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments. This stress can negatively affect the cartilage around the joints and engender calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This condition – known as Spondylosis – is a form of arthritis that appears to affect almost everyone at some point in life, as it is a common part of the aging process of the spine as well. But|However, influences such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic treatment and overall chiropractic management is extremely beneficial in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth chiropractor has helped many Spondylosis sufferers.
Sacroiliac Problems
The sacroiliac joints are a general area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints connect the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are innately very strong and stable. Trauma from falls, sports injuries, or the lifting of heavy objects can cause the joints to become unstable and relocate to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation creates imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Individuals with this syndrome will feel pain particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and feeling tired easily. Other symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, can develop further up the spine. Chiropractic adjustments establish the proper alignment of the joints and are extremely affective in correcting sacroiliac problems. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can get effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a common disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can happen on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. They not only create pain, but they can also compromise the spinal nerves as they exit the foramen or spaces between the vertebrae, and create nerve compression, known as paraethesia. Paraesthesia is an alteration of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities more often than notoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is most often associated with nerve problemsin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also beassociated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best treated by chiropractic adjustments.
Trauma
Injury such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can create over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine and lower back and create extreme pain and immobility. In order to escape long term disability or the development of any of the conditions listed above, chiropractic adjustments and treatment at the onset of symptoms is very important. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.
When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and skilled treatment for any of the above-mentioned dysfunctions of the spine and lower back.
