Back Clinic Lower Back Pain Chiropractic Team. More than 80% of the population suffers from back pain at some point in their lives. Most cases can be linked to the most common causes: muscle strain, injury, or overuse. But it can also be attributed to a specific condition of the spine: Herniated Disc, Degenerative Disc Disease, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, and Osteoarthritis. Less common conditions are sacroiliac joint dysfunction, spinal tumors, fibromyalgia, and piriformis syndrome.
Pain is caused by damage or injury to the muscles and ligaments of the back. Dr. Alex Jimenez compiled articles outline the importance of understanding the causes and effects of this uncomfortable symptom. Chiropractic focuses on restoring a person’s strength and flexibility to help improve symptoms of lower back pain.
Losing Weight: Back pain is one of the most common and most troublesome problems that people experience. Eight out of 10 individuals will struggle with back pain during some point in their life, the US National Library of Medicine reports. Low and chronic back pain can be aggravated by many triggers. Mechanical stress, excessive strain, muscle weakness, poor sleeping position, lack of exercise and excessive weight could all contribute to making the situation worse.
The good news is that chiropractic ranks among the most popular and effective treatment options available today for back pain. Through the chiropractic adjustment, chiropractors not only help ease the pain but also work toward correcting the problem. According to chiropractors, spinal adjustments can deliver even better results when combined with weight loss.
In today�s article, we�ll exam the following:
How Obesity and Back Pain are Related
How Weight Loss Helps Reduce Back Pain
Improving Back Health through Chiropractic
How Obesity and Back Pain are Related
Individuals that are classified as overweight or obese are much more likely to experience back pain than people that aren�t according to the American Obesity Association.
Obesity prevents individuals from engaging in everyday physical activities, as well as healthy exercises. These are essential for strengthening the core muscles. A stronger core can take some of the burden away from the back, thus making back pain less likely.
In addition, the spinal cord becomes excessively burdened in the case of obese individuals. This is because it�s trying to compensate for the additional weight, which can cause tilting and uneven stress. Both of these can contribute to serious and chronic back pain. Thus the reason obesity is one of the most prominent aggravating factors in the case of lower back pain.
Losing Weight Helps Reduce Back Pain
According to weight loss experts and chiropractors, weight loss can contribute to partial or complete reduction in the back pain symptoms. The research on the connection between weight loss and back pain is still insufficient but numerous practitioners report that they�ve seen cases of patients experiencing serious reduction in pain after losing weight.
Obviously, this occurs because the extra weight is taken off the spine. As a result, the spine doesn�t experience further stress. Especially when a chiropractor realigns the vertebral column through multiple sessions of chiropractic adjustments.
According to the American Spine Society, individuals that stay within 10 pounds of their ideal weight are the ones least likely to experience spinal problems, particularly chronic lower back pain.
Improving Back Health through Chiropractic Care and Physical Activity
The combination of exercise and chiropractic care can produce noticeable, long-term improvements in spinal health.
Besides aiding in weight loss, exercise is also great for strengthening the core muscles and guaranteeing a proper distribution of the body�s weight throughout the spine. Stronger muscles, less weight and better posture will provide amazing long-term benefits for chiropractic patients that suffer from back pain.
If you need more pointers on how to incorporate weight loss and exercise in your daily routine, speak to your local chiropractor. He or she is more than competent to guide you along the way. If you aren�t currently seeing a chiropractor, give us a call. We�re here to help!
This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiros LLC for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiros, LLC.
Although chiropractic is dedicated to finding and correcting vertebral subluxations (also known as spinal misalignments), many patients seek chiropractic care to alleviate pain and other health-related symptoms. One condition that chiropractic patients seek relief from is consistent low back pain.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any give time. Even though low back pain plagues many people, finding the exact cause can be a challenge. However, chiropractors are spinal specialists that are trained extremely well to not only help alleviate your pain but also find the cause of the problem.
As you seek help from your local chiropractor, you�ll want to keep the following things in mind:
Low Back Pain: Prevention Is Key
Prevention is often the best cure for low back pain. When a patient sees a chiropractor, they�ll not only find relief for the low back pain they�re experiencing, but they�ll also learn ways to prevent such pain in the future. By using proper exercise and ergonomic techniques, they can ease their pain before it even starts. Amazing results are easily obtained simply by patients listening to the instructions given by their chiropractic doctor.
Treatment Options Are Available
Fortunately, there are many treatment options for low back pain. Based off of the diagnosis provided by your Doctor of Chiropractic, he or she will be able to suggest the ones that will benefit you the most. These treatments may include one or more of the following:
Spinal adjustments delivered either by hand or instrument like an Activator
Hot or cold compresses
Physical therapy modalities like Interferential Therapy or TENS
Massage Therapy or some other form of soft tissue work
Spinal decompression therapy
Getting Relief From Your Pain
If you were prescribed pain medication by a medial doctor before seeing your chiropractor, it may still be required to help reduce your pain levels. However, the good news is that you may be able to decrease your pain medication quicker than usual as spinal misalignments are corrected, nerve compression is alleviated and inflammation is reduced. That alone is well worth the investment of time and money to see your local chiropractor.
Rehab Through Exercise
As your care progresses from pain relief to rehabilitation of the spine, your chiropractor will recommend certain exercises to help strengthen your core muscles which, in return, will help stabilize and protect your lower back. Typically, these exercises are performed at the chiropractic office to make sure you understand how to do them without re-aggravating your original complaint. Once you�ve been educated on their purpose and know how to perform them correctly without supervision, you�ll be able to continue them at home in conjunction with the spinal adjustments you receive at the office during maintenance care.
Surgery May Be Avoided
Depending on your condition, you may be able to avoid surgery if you choose to see a chiropractor before your injuries or pain become worse. In some instances, a chiropractor can help you to avoid surgery entirely by helping correct the problem instead of just masking it through pain relief.
The key is to make sure you follow the recommendations of your chiropractor after a thorough consultation and examination are performed. Part of the examination procedures may require X-rays or MRIs. These not only benefit the chiropractor when he or she is developing your treatment plan but will also give you the peace of mind that the problem will be found.
The bottom line is that a chiropractor is the ideal professional to consult with for any unexplained pain in the musculoskeletal system. They�re not only well-qualified to treat conditions like low back pain but also achieve great results in a very affordable and effective manner. If you or a loved one are suffering from low back pain, gives us a call. We�re here to help!
This article is copyrighted by Blogging Chiros LLC for its Doctor of Chiropractic members and may not be copied or duplicated in any manner including printed or electronic media, regardless of whether for a fee or gratis without the prior written permission of Blogging Chiros, LLC.
Chronic Back Pain: Living with chronic pain can be exhausting and frustrating. But you can limit the severity of your pain�and the effect it has on you�with the following 3 strategies:
1. Become An Expert At Chronic Back Pain Management
No one pain management technique works for everyone; it helps to be open to trying all sorts of methods and techniques to diminish and manage your pain.
Keeping your pain at the lowest level possible will help keep you active, which in turn will minimize your chronic pain and keep it from getting worse. It will also help decrease the stress that is often associated with chronic pain. Common pain management techniques include:
Cold / heat therapy
Over-the-counter or prescription pain medications
A healthy exercise regimenAside from those above, which can be done on your own, some people find alternative treatments quite helpful, such as chiropractic care, acupuncture, or massage therapy.With patience, find what combination of treatments works best for you.
2. Find A Support Network
Chronic back pain can be an isolating experience. You may not be able to be as active as you once were, saying �No� to social gatherings, and limiting participation in some of your favorite activities.
As you become more isolated, your experience of chronic pain may increase because of less stimuli to distract you. You also increase the risk for developing mental health issues, such as depression.
It is encouraged you find a network of social support to limit the isolation effects of chronic pain. The key to a support network is not only finding people who are empathetic and supportive, but also finding a health distraction from the pain.
3. Practice Imagery Control Techniques
When treating your chronic back pain, it is important to remember the role your mind can play in reducing your perception of chronic pain.
In particular, imagery control techniques can bring you meaningful relief in a matter of minutes. You can start by trying �the altered focus technique.� Here is how to do it:
Focus your attention on a part of your body other than your lower back.
Next, alter the sensation in that part of your body. For example, you can imagine your hands becoming cold or warm (whichever feels better).
Hold this sensation in your hands for several minutes, and your experience of pain will likely diminish.You can practice these techniques wherever, and however often, you want.If the above three strategies don�t help reduce your chronic pain, don�t despair. Instead, ask your doctor for a referral to a pain specialist to discuss other possible options for chronic back pain relief. There are a great many approaches to pain management.
Talk to Dr. Jimenez about specific questions related to your unique health situation.
Back pain myths are like any other, however, your mom was not totally wrong; hunching can certainly be bad for your back. But the opposite is true as well. Strain can be also caused by sitting up for too long without a break. If you work make sure that your chair is at a height where your knees are at a 90-degree angle, your feet can rest flat on the ground, and you have back support. Make sure that you stand up, stretch, and take a walk several times each day to keep from becoming stiff or causing injury.
Myth 2: You Need The Firmest Mattress Possible.
Back pain sufferers can actually experience increased pain if their mattress is too firm since it puts more strain on heavy points like the hips and shoulders. On the other hand too soft a mattress could lack the support required to allow proper movement. In both instances, the person wakes up stiff and in pain. Studies show that a medium-firm mattress provides the right amount of support to help prevent injury.
Myth 3: Back Pain Is Caused By Exercise.
A poll by the North American Spine Society revealed this as the number one back pain myth. Sure, if you don’t work out then try to win a competition, you could experience injury. You can help prevent back pain by preparing your body and workouts with proper warm-up and great stretching exercises. (Take a cue from professional athletes that factor stretching and warm ups in their everyday routine.) Strengthen your back by strengthen your core, through exercises focused on�strengthening your stomach and back muscles as well as cardio.
Myth 4: Back Pain Is An Unavoidable Side-Effect Of Getting Older.
Getting older does not mean life has to be painful. While there are aches and pains that come with an aging body, staying physically healthy (see Myth #3) through exercises that keep our bodies strong, flexible and limber are a huge benefit. There are several exercise options to try, T�ai Chi, Pilates, yoga and treatment options which range from acupuncture to physical therapy to advanced treatment options both surgical and nonsurgical. Bottom line is you do not have to live with back pain.
Myth 5: Back Pain Came Out Of Nowhere.
Another back pain myth is sufferers often claim one wrong twist or simply bending over was the cause of their injury. But that was likely the result of several other factors. Overdoing a workout, using poor technique when lifting heavy objects, bad posture, and especially weight gain can all put strain on the spine and lead to “out of nowhere” spasms. As with more serious conditions such as joint and disk disorders a spine doctor is recommended to find the source of the pain.
Myth 6: A Hot Bath Can Bring Relief
There are few things as relaxing as a nice spa, but doing so after injuring your back may actually make your situation worse by increasing inflammation. Doctors recommend applying ice to the area for 20 minutes at a time during the first two or three times in order to reduce pain and inflammation. An exception, people who suffer from chronic pain can find relief taking a warm bath. Play it safe and check with your doctor for the best treatment.
Myth 7: If I See A Doctor, I’ll Probably Have Surgery.
Most people will experience some level of back pain in their lifetime, but the overwhelming majority will find relief through modifications such as over the counter anti-inflammatory medicines, exercise, physical therapy, or even just by waiting it out. In actuality, spine surgery is recommended for a small percentage of patients and until all other treatment methods have been tried. These patients often suffer from degenerative spine or joint problems that cause pain that is chronic. Whether you understand the origin of your pain or not, a fear of surgery shouldn’t prevent you from seeking medical help.
Ergonomics in the work place. Back pain is one of the most frequent work-related injuries and is often brought on by ordinary work activities like sitting in an office chair or heavy lifting.� the study of the workplace as it relates to the worker – helps prevent back pain and back injury and help maintain a healthy back.
The objective of an ergonomics program in business is to adapt the workplace to a specific worker, determined by the job description, required tasks, and physical make up of the employee performing these tasks.
Non-accidental injury, where pain occurs as a result of normal activities and needs of the task. This might occur from sitting in an office chair or standing for too long in one position.
Accidental injury results when an unexpected event triggers injury during the task. A load that changes as it is being lifted, and fall and a slip or hitting one’s head on a cabinet door or slips are typical examples. These injuries can jolt other joints, back, and the neck with consequent muscle strain or tearing of soft tissue at the back.
Occupations which are physically demanding and require repetitive lifting (such as in nursing or heavy industry) are at greatest risk for both non-accidental and accidental spine injury. For instance, a number of health workers have problems because patients are of weight and different stature with needs. Often, the patients need help changing position, rising from a chair and walking. Similarly, the physical effort needed to release a trapped individual or save a life is unpredictable. The same problems occur in the building industry where consistencies of tasks are a challenge.
Office Chair Back Injuries
Individuals who sit most of the day, like those working in a computer while sitting in an office chair, are also at high risk for non-accidental spine injury. Office ergonomics, or computer ergonomics, can help minimize the risk such as the dangers associated with prolonged sitting in an office chair, and carpal tunnel syndrome, such as lower back pain, neck strain, and leg pain.
Office Chair: Ergonomics To Reduce Back Pain?
This guide summarize the use of ergonomic concepts, mechanical apparatus and decent body mechanics (biomechanics) that can contribute to reducing back injuries in the work environment for several jobs. Significantly, staying strong, physically fit and flexible improves the probability of preventing back injuries.
There are certain basic ergonomic tips which may help an employee avoid back pain or back injury:
Develop a job description based on the forces within a particular work environment, the time spent performing the task and the biomechanics (which define human moves and seated posture in an office chair) used in the task.
Use body posture as a tool which may be changed to fit the job demands with minimal stress on the muscles, ligaments, bones and joints.
Learn and use proper body mechanics to restrict extra mechanical stress in completing the job.
Maintain fitness and flexibility and create a reserve of strength.
Identifying Poor Posture And Risks
Many potentially harmful situations that lead to back injury can be identified and avoided by following four basic rules of thumb:
Prolonged static posture is your enemy. The healthy body can only tolerate staying in one position for around 20 minutes. That is sitting at a movie theatre, in a desk in an office chair, or on an airplane becomes uncomfortable after a short time. Standing in one area, such as standing on a floor at an assembly line tends to cause back pain. Holding the same position gradually reduces elasticity in the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the back). Stress builds up and causes discomfort and/or leg discomfort back.
The remedy is simple. Whether you are sitting in an office chair or standing in a line, change positions frequently. Just move. Stand or sit, stretch, have a short walk. After returning to the standing or sitting posture, use an alternate posture for only a couple minutes and some.
Frequent or repetitive stretching to the end range of motion or embarrassing, angled positions can liquefy the joints. Unlike jobs that need seating in an office chair, jobs that require motion can cause discomfort. Such tasks involve lifting overhead lifting from the floor, moving loads, or utilizing force or twisting while managing material and which signal back injuries might be on the way.
Heavy loads offer greater risk. It is important to have the proper tools or get help if the job requires moving objects.
Fatigue�from sitting in an office chair, from work or from insomnia can make people move more awkwardly. If one is overtired or feels fatigued, it is advisable to avoid lifting heavy objects alone or quickly.
These ergonomic rules of thumb will help the worker and their backs. Otherwise the worker is at risk of sustaining or aggravating a back injury.
Question: My parents are elderly, and both hurt their backs. What type of doctor or physician should I look for?
Chiropractic care is safe and effective for elderly adults with back pain, according to new research. To better understand the risk and benefits of chiropractic care in elderly individuals, El Paso, TX. Chiropractor, Dr. Alexander Jimenez, answers questions regarding chiropractic care for elderly individuals with back pain.??
Q: Is Chiropractic Care Safe For Elderly People?
Dr. Jimenez: Chiropractic care is one of the safest interventions for the care of back pain. The dangers of a serious problem after a chiropractic adjustment would be like the danger of having a serious problem after an immunization–exceptionally small. However, minor side effects lasting up to approximately 3 days are very common, most commonly muscle stiffness and soreness. These side effects are similar to those you get when you begin a workout program. People have a smaller chance of severe side effects from manipulation and manual treatment than they do from medication taken for the very same ailments. You should always discuss any side effects from treatment with your chiropractor right away.
Q: What Are The Benefits Of Chiropractic Care For The Treatment Of Low Back Pain In Older Adults?
Dr. Jimenez: Chiropractic care has been used for over 100 years to assist patients with back pain. One of the best benefits of trying chiropractic care first is that you can avoid the risk of side effects from taking medications for pain. Opioid drug addiction is a serious crisis in America. Trying non-drug therapies, such as chiropractic care first may help to reduce the high rates of opioid dependency in the USA.
Actually, the most recent treatment principle for low back pain (from the American College of Physicians), specifically states that people should attempt non-drug options first. The health dangers of pain medications are even greater for older adults compared to younger people, since many older people have other illnesses that affect their wellbeing, and their own bodies process drugs more slowly. Also, many drugs, particularly opioids, increase older people’s risk of falls, which is a very considerable risk in this age group.
Q: What Questions Should I Ask My Chiropractor Before Receiving Treatment?
Dr. Jimenez:�When first talking with a chiropractor, inquire which sort of treatments he or she may use for back pain. Chiropractic care incorporates many different non-drug approaches in addition to spinal manipulation, including other kinds of manual therapy in addition to exercise. �Ask the chiropractor to explain or illustrate the type of spinal manipulation he or she uses (many chiropractors have photographs or can demonstrate what they do), so that you feel comfortable with it. Should you feel uncomfortable with the therapy, feel free to ask whether there are alternate kinds of manipulation he or she may use as there are many different ways to perform spinal manipulation for optimum patient comfort, and also achieve the same targets.
Q: What Should I Tell A Chiropractor About My Medical History, Medicines, & Spinal Condition?
Dr. Jimenez: First of all, since chiropractors are trained to choose a thorough patient history, including questions regarding medication, past injuries or surgeries, and any recent changes in your health, most likely you won’t have to volunteer this information. You’ll be asked about your health history on a patient intake form. Then the doctor will ask you more questions in person. Make sure to talk about all health information about current and previous conditions, drugs, history of accidents and surgeries or alternative therapy, and current changes in your health, even if you think they are not important, they may be.
The chiropractor will also inquire what makes your pain worse or better, and if you have had changes in strength, recent falls, or balance issues, changes in your bowel or bladder function along with other relevant health factors like eating and sleep habits. The chiropractor should then perform a thorough physical examination, including your neurological system, to be certain that spinal manipulation is ideal for you. He or she’ll also see what kinds of adjustments will make your pain better or worse. The chiropractor will use all of this information to develop a treatment plan that’s specific for you to help you fulfill your goals for returning to a normal lifestyle.
Herniated lumbar discs, although considered common, can be very debilitating and disabling. While it may be impossible to prevent disc herniations, understanding the mechanism of injury and implementing that knowledge can cut the odds of developing this unpleasant injury. A range of factors may promote lumbar disc damage or injury. The mechanism of injury for herniated discs often involves flexion, compression and twisting of the lumbar spine.
Mechanism of Injury: Herniated Discs
The lumbar spine’s discs are specialized connective tissue structures which function as shock absorbers between the spinal bones or vertebrae of the spine. Intervertebral discs are springy in nature due to a moist, jelly-like center portion known as the nucleus pulposus. The nucleus pulposus is contained and surrounded by a more layered, fibrous tissue that makes up what is known as the annulus fibrosis. Herniated discs or ruptured discs occur when harm to the annulus fibrosis causes the nucleus pulposus material to escape its boundaries and protrude outward in the disc.
Flexion
Where lumbar disc herniations occur regularly in a normal setting, these aren’t easily reproduced in a research setting. It is notable that in scientific research studies, where disc herniations were created in animal or human lumbar spine specimens, most demanded a small amount of spine flexion. Because of this, Stuart McGill, Ph.D., author of the book “Low Back Disorders,” concludes that repeated or prolonged spine flexion will be the primary mechanism leading to lumbar disc herniation. In a lab setting, McGill and other scientific doctors found that the way they could produce herniated disc injuries was to place weight, or a weight, onto the spine while bending into flexion. These circumstances are consistent with what could happen with repetitive lifting activities where the spine is flexed forward.
Compression
A research presented in 2001 in the journal “Clinical Biomechanics” demonstrated a link between compression of the spinal joints, technically known as vertical loading, and disc herniation. Even though the analysis used spinal sections taken from the necks of pigs, the researchers tried to replicate loading patterns common to the lumbar spines of humans. In the scientific study, severe and more frequent cases of herniated discs resulted when compression forces on the spinal bones had been increased. However, compression forces were essential to cause damage or injury such as disc herniations, that were subjected to repetitions of forward and backward bending. The authors reasoned that flexion and extension moves likely play a larger part than compression alone in inducing disc herniations. To put it differently, the spine can resist compression forces, such as lifting, when in a vertical position. Including a load whilst bending forward and backward though, may quickly spell difficulty for the individual.
Twisting
Another study published in 2010 in “Cinical Biomechanics” analyzed the role of axial torque, or twisting, in disc herniation. Using an animal model, the researchers discovered that disc herniation was not caused by twisting that was isolated. However, twisting did damage the annulus fibrosis. With damage to the annulus, the discs were more vulnerable to rupture or herniation when subjected to flexion movements. This implies that if the mechanism of injury of a disc herniation is flexion, these may be contributed to by damage brought on by twisting weakened discs.
Occupational Factors
A study published in 1987 in the “Journal of Chronic Diseases” examined the risk of lumbar herniated discs associated with occupation. The researchers noted that the risk for this condition is greater among men in blue-collar jobs in contrast to those in white collar jobs. This relates to increased lifting and bending activities among blue-collar workers when compared with white-collar employees. The writers noted less variation by occupational groups among women. The risk of lumbar disc herniations, however, was greater among women who described their work as strenuous. An additional finding that may relate to the spinal flexion mechanism of injury is that the risk of lumbar disc herniations is high among individuals whose work entails driving an automobile. Sitting while driving places the lumbar spine in a sustained posture of slight flexion.
Diagnosis for Herniated Discs
Lower back pain and symptoms associated with sciatica, are common manifestations resulting from lumbar spine disc herniation. Healthcare professionals, including chiropractors who specialize in sciatica, can help diagnose herniated discs as well as help determine the source of the individual’s symptoms. A spine specialist may provide the patient with or direct them to a clinic to have x-rays, MRI’s or CT scans to properly determine the presence of a herniated disc. Seeking immediate medical attention is essential towards the patient’s recovery.
MRI of a Lumbar Herniated Disc
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Lower back pain is one of the most commonly reported symptoms among the general population. Sciatica, is well-known group of symptoms, including lower back pain, numbness and tingling sensations, which often describe the source of an individual’s lumbar spine issues. Sciatica can be due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions, such as spinal misalignment, or subluxation, disc herniation and even spinal degeneration.
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1. Become An Expert At Chronic Back Pain Management
No one pain management technique works for everyone; it helps to be open to trying all sorts of methods and techniques to diminish and manage your pain.
Individuals who sit most of the day, like those working in a computer while sitting in an office chair, are also at high risk for non-accidental spine injury. Office ergonomics, or computer ergonomics, can help minimize the risk such as the dangers associated with prolonged sitting in an office chair, and carpal tunnel syndrome, such as lower back pain, neck strain, and leg pain.
Many potentially harmful situations that lead to back injury can be identified and avoided by following four basic rules of thumb:
These ergonomic rules of thumb will help the worker and their backs. Otherwise the worker is at risk of sustaining or aggravating a 
