Low Back Pain
Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide with over one half of the American population experiencing low back pain symptoms annually. Most cases of low back pain are due to improper biomechanics of the spine and can be successfully treated with chiropractic care.
Contact Us for More Information
Frequently asked questions
What is this condition?
Low back pain is a condition that afflicts more than 50% of the working population annually. Low back pain can have many different etiologies and be referred to by many different names accordingly. Some of these include:
Lumbago
Lumbar Facet Syndrome or Lumbar Discopathy
Disc Herniation or Disc Prolapse / Disc Bulge
Lumbar Stenosis, Lumbar Spondylosis, or Lumbar Spondylolysis
Slipped Disc
Sciatica
Disc Degeneration
Lumbalgia
Myofasciitis
Pinched Nerve
At Advanced Physical Medicine & Therapy, our staff of providers is well equipped and trained in finding the root cause of your condition. Once an accurate diagnosis is established specific treatment protocols are applied to achieve the quickest positive results.
Will Back Pain Go Away If I Do Nothing?
Back injuries are a part of everyday life, and the spine is quite good at dealing with these often “pulled” muscles. These very minor injuries usually heal within 1 or 2 days. Some pain, however, continues. Researchers suspect that the reasons may include stress, mood changes, and inactivity due to the fear of further injury. In addition, sometimes a painful injury or disease changes the way the pain signals are sent through the body, and, even after the problem has gone away or is inactive, the pain signals still reach the brain. It is as if the pain develops a memory that keeps being replayed.
Until recently, researchers believed that back pain would heal on its own. We have learned, however, that this is not true. A recent study showed that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. The study demonstrated that in more than 33% of the people who experience low back pain, the pain lasts for more than 30 days. Only 9% of the people who had low-back pain for more than 30 days were pain free 5 years later. 1
Another study looked at all of the available research on the natural history of low-back pain. The results showed that when it is ignored, back pain does not go away on its own, but continues to affect people for long periods after it first begins.2
What Are The Causes of this Condition?
The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, nerves, and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, irritate joints, and pinch nerves, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest movements, for example, picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from diseases of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.
What Are Common Treatments for this Condition?
The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments, nerves and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, irritate joints, and pinch nerves, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest movements, for example, picking up a pencil from the floor, can have painful results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.
What Can You Do to Prevent this Condition?
Prevention of low back pain is important. Exercise and developing strong low back and abdominal muscles can greatly reduce the risk of future injury. Awareness of proper technique when lifting and carrying objects as well as the use of a back brace for support when lifting heavy objects or for a prolonged period of time is helpful. For individuals who stand for prolonged periods of time, proper supportive footware will minimize back pain. Monthly maintnance adjustments to maintain healthy joint mobility in the spine is an important part of a wellness program, just as you see your dentist regularly. Call 847-222-9060 today for an appointment.
References
1. Hestbaek L, Leboeuf-Yde C, Engberg M, Lauritzen T, Bruun NH, Manniche C. The course of low-back pain in a general population. Results from a 5-year prospective study. J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003 May; 26(4):213-9.
2. Hestbaek L, Leboeuf-Yde C, Manniche C. Low-back pain: what is the long-term course? A review of studies of general patient populations. Eur Spine J 2003 Apr;12(2):149-65