 |
| Courtesy Wikimedia |
Most
people suffer from lower back pain at some time in their lives. Lower back pain
is one of the conditions most frequently treated by chiropractors. The joints
in the spine are designed for lifting, bending, twisting, and arching. The
discs positioned between each vertebrae allow for these movements while
also providing space for nerves to pass in and out of the spine. The muscles,
ligaments, and tendons surrounding the spine provide the power for movement.
There
are lots of ways the back may be injured.
- Lifting things that are too heavy, awkward, or using poor technique while lifting.
- Bending beyond a person’s level of flexibility.
- Spending long periods of time sitting in awkward positions
- Sleeping in a position that puts stress on the back.
- Overdoing it at the gym, golf course, sports field, or elsewhere.
What is
the lumbar spine?
 |
| Courtesy Wikimedia. |
Surprisingly,
there’s no wood whatsoever in the lumbar spine. According to Spine-health.com, the lumbar spine is the part of
the spine comprised of five vertebral bodies (L1-L5) that extend from the lower
thoracic spine (chest) to the sacrum (bottom of the spine). The vertebral
bodies are stacked on top of each other with a disc between each one. There are
three types of muscles that attach to the lumbar spine.
Extensor
muscles are attached to the back of the spine. They
enable humans to stand and to lift objects.
Flexor
muscles are attached to the front of the spine. They
enable people to bend forward, lift , and arch the lower back.
Oblique
muscles are attached to the sides of the spine. They
help to rotate the spine. They also help people to maintain proper posture.
These
muscles are made up of individual fibers. When a fiber is stretched too
far or torn, the condition is known as a lumbar muscle strain. Common symptoms
include:
- Dull aching pain
- Sudden shooting pain
- Tenderness in the lower back
What’s
the difference between acute back pain and chronic back pain?
Acute
back pain comes on suddenly, usually after an injury from heavy lifting,
athletic activity, or some other activity that’s stressful to the back.
Injuries that result in acute back pain sometimes heal completely on their own
within a month.
Chiropractic treatment is important for these injuries to
address potential asymmetric issues and movement patterns that may lead to
further issues down the road. In addition, Chiropractic has been proven to
reduce healing time which gets a person back in action faster.
Pain
that lasts for months is considered chronic. With chronic back pain, low levels
of pain, achiness, stiffness, or flare-ups may continue for months after an
injury.
For
pulled muscles without severe symptoms, many practitioners recommend allowing
the injury to rest for a day or two. After that, the patient can start
stretching and strengthening exercises to improve flexibility and strength
while the lower back gets better.
When
should a person with lower back pain seek help?
Severe
back pain after a fall or injury should be checked out immediately. Also, if a
patient experiences any of the following, he or she should set up an
appointment.
- Pain lasts more than 72 hours.
- The pain makes it difficult to stand up straight.
- Pain worsens or never lets up.
- Bladder or bowel control becomes difficult.
- Pain when coughing or sneezing.
- Pain shoots down one of the legs. Sometimes back pain is related to a bulging disc or a ruptured disc. When a disc presses on the sciatic nerve, there may be pain shooting down one leg. This is called sciatica.
Chiropractic
adjustment for lower back pain
To
relieve pain in the lower back, chiropractors use a technique called spinal
manipulation. It involves finding the part of the spine that’s out of proper
alignment. Then the chiropractor applies a specific scientific chiropractic
adjustment using one of many techniques to bring the spine back into the proper
alignment. Techniques used are matched to a person specific needs and ability
to receive the adjustment effectively.
The key
is determining the proper location and making the move correctly. Chiropractors
have extensive education and training to ensure that adjustments are the safest
form of health care today. This is not the kind of thing that anyone should try
at home on their family or friends.
Tips to
avoid lower back problems
Maintaining
a healthy weight is one of the keys to maintaining a healthy back. The more
weight a person carries, the more stress it puts on various parts of the body,
including the lower back. People who aren’t carrying extra weight around have
fewer problems with the lower back.
Fitness
is another key to keeping your back healthy. When your back and abdominal
muscles are strong and flexible, you’re able to engage in a wider range of
activities, including strenuous activities, without hurting yourself.
It’s
also important to lift heavy objects properly and without bending beyond your
physical limitations. If you’re not in shape to move a heavy object, like a
piano or an air conditioner, just say no. Let someone else do it, even if you
have to pay them. That expense will be far less than the cost of being laid up
for weeks.
If your
job involves lifting, pulling, or any activity that twists the spine, pay very
close attention to how you go about that. The more you can do to avoid putting
stress on the back by lifting and twisting, the better off you will be in the
long run.
If you
carry a backpack, briefcase, or purse over your shoulder, remember that the
lower back supports the upper body and bears the burden of anything you carry.
Carrying a heavy bag once in a while may not do any harm, but day after day it
can certainly take a toll. If you can reduce the weight that you’re carrying,
your lower back will be happy about that. If you have to carry lots of stuff
every day, look into a briefcase on wheels. Again, your lower back will
appreciate it.
---
In this
article, I have discussed chiropractic adjustment for lower back pain. Lower
back pain can be caused by
over-exertion, falls, and lifting too much or lifting in an awkward way. I’ve
also provided tips on how to avoid lower back pain.
If you
have a comment about this article, please leave it in the comments section
below. If you know of someone who might benefit from the information in this
blog, please share it with your friends, colleagues, and on social media.
The
Google Plus button and other social media sharing buttons are below.
At
Vibrant Life, we address all of the key elements to add vibrance and vitality
to your life. This includes nutrition, chiropractic care, and fitness. If you
need to consult with a chiropractor about your neck, back, or any other health
concern, please contact our office to set up an appointment.
Dr. Jon
Thomas is a Board Certified Chiropractic Physician. His practice, The Vibrant
Life Health Center, is located in the Mandarin section of Jacksonville. His
interest in health and fitness started early, and his athletic pursuits
have included BMX racing, Professional Snow Skiing, Water Skiing, Baseball,
Weight Lifting, and Martial Arts. After studying and learning from some of the
top health experts throughout the world, Dr. Thomas dedicated his life to
helping people of all ages to transform their lives. The objective for each
patient is to initiate the body’s healing and to work progressively toward a
body that functions optimally. Dr. Thomas is seen regularly on TV on First
Coast Living, where he discusses the transformations of his patients. He also
speaks at events throughout the community and writes informative articles to
improve the health of residents throughout Jacksonville.
