Back Pain

What are the most common causes of back pain?

Back pain can either be acute or chronic, the former lasting less than six weeks and the latter plaguing you for three months or more. Back pain is often isolated to the lumbar, or lower, spine. Injuries or degeneration in the cervical spine can cause pain in the neck. 

The most common causes of back pain are:

Muscle or ligament strain

Most muscle and ligament strains or tears qualify as an acute injury and are usually the result of heavy lifting or twisting.

Disc issues

The discs found between your vertebrae are responsible for a fair amount of back pain, especially when they herniate or bulge, irritating the nerves in the area. This condition often develops over time as your discs succumb to wear and tear over the years. When lumbar discs are affected, you experience low back pain. When the cervical discs are injured or diseased, you suffer neck pain. 

Arthritis

Whether it’s osteoarthritis or an inflammatory disease like rheumatoid arthritis, the joints along your spine can become inflamed, causing you pain.

Osteoporosis

As you age, your bones may begin to lose mass, especially if you’re a woman. This loss of bone density can lead to nerve decompression as well as porous bones that are prone to fractures.

Skeletal problems

Some people are born with irregularities in their spines, such as scoliosis, which can lead to back pain.

What causes neck pain?

The seven small vertebrae of the neck are an extension of your spine and can experience similar disease and injury. Causes of neck pain include: 

• Whiplash
  
• Degenerative disc disease
  
• Vertebral fractures
  
• Arthritis
  
• Herniated discs
  
• Muscle strains
  
• Stenosis
  

An auto accident or other acute injury can also cause neck pain. 

How is back and neck pain diagnosed and treated?

The staff at Injury Care Chiropractic is trained to run in-house diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and scans, in order to get to the source of your back pain.

Once your provider at Injury Care Chiropractic understands the underlying problem, they target this pain using a number of treatments, often in combination, including:

• Spinal adjustments and chiropractic manipulations
  
• Lumbar decompression
  
• Hydromassage
  
• Electrical stimulation therapy
  
• Bracing and orthopedic inserts if posture is to blame
  
• Deep penetrating heat therapy
  
• Corrective exercises and stretching
  

The team at Injury Care Chiropractic works exhaustively to find a solution that works with your body’s own natural resources in order to provide you with lasting relief from back pain. If your back and neck pain fails to respond to these fairly conservative treatments, referral to a medical pain management specialist is available. 

If you’re suffering from acute or chronic back pain, call Injury Care Chiropractic to get relief.