Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain - Gallatin Valley Chiropractic of Bozeman

Low Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common reasons to visit the primary care physician's office, second in frequency only to upper respiratory infections. It has been found that up to 80 percent of people have back pain at some point in their lives, and over 50 percent of the population will have some form of low back pain each year!

The fact that the low back is very susceptible to pain and injury is no mystery. Similar to the neck, the low back is a very flexible part of the spine that has only muscular support, unlike the natural stability provided by the rib cage of the thoracic spine. This inherent instability allows for great range of motion, but those advantages can come at the cost of frequent injury if not properly trained for stability, and adjusted periodically. 

chiropractic low back pain weight lifting

The low back can withstand tremendous forces as long as it stays healthy and functioning properly. It supports more than half of your body weight at any given moment, and forces in the low back increase dramatically with movement and exercise. For example, weightlifters can lift several hundred pounds from the floor without causing injury to the low back. 

Until recently, researchers believed that most back pain would heal on its own. However, recent studies show that this may not be the case. Now, many studies show that most back pain that is left untreated, may dissipate temporarily, but will can return later on, and often times worse than before. This is due in part to the lack of strength and flexibility building that treatment provides, and also due to the improper movement patterns used when pain and injury is present. 

It is very important to not leave low back pain untreated and seek professional chiropractic care to treat and correct the true cause of the pain. Call Gallatin Valley Chiropractic of Bozeman today and let our doctors help you get out of pain for good.

Causes of Low Back Pain

There are a number of conditions that can create low back pain. Some of the more common ones are: 

  • Sprained lumbar ligaments
  • Strained lumbar muscles and tissues
  • Disc bulge or herniation
  • Inflammation of the joints
  • Malposition's or motion restrictions (referred to by chiropractors often as "subluxations")
  • Arthritis

There are other sources of back pain which can be due to pain referral from internal structures such as from a kidney or bladder infection. 

If left untreated, mechanical causes of pain can cause additional arthritis, and may increase pressure on the nervous system. Chiropractors are experts in diagnosis and treatment of the spine. They will determine whether or not the case can be treated by chiropractic care or if a referral to another physician is needed. 

Sprains, Strains and Spasms

These can all be caused by a variety of causes. Typically, sprains and strains of the spine are due to being sedentary, and with overexertion. Lifting with a rounded or twisted spine is also a common cause of mechanical spine injury.

Disc Herniations

A disc herniation does not always mean that surgery is needed to get relief. In fact, a study found that almost 50 percent of the adult population has at least one bulging or herniated disc and many do not experience any symptoms. Some disc herniations however, can cause crippling pain with intense radiation and weakness into the limbs and other areas of the body. 

Additionally, left untreated, severe disc herniations can create lasting damage to nerves, which can create lasting numbness and/or weakness.  Chiropractic care can often prevent further deterioration of disc herniations, assist the healing process of the disc and surrounding tissues, and provides great relief!

Subluxations 

When used by a chiropractor, the term “subluxation” refers to a misalignment and/or joint motion restriction in the spine. Very frequently, subluxations can lead to interference with the proper function of specific parts of the nervous system. 

Subluxations can manifest as a small dull ache, a sharp pain, or even as a severe shooting pain all the way down an arm or leg. Subluxations have a number of causes. Sleeping in a strained position, awkward twisting, bending, running, jumping, or poor posture are all frequent causes of subluxation. 

Fortunately, subluxations are very treatable by a chiropractor and often times treatment will lead to a significant reduction in pain, sometimes immediately! Consult the great Doctors at Gallatin Valley Chiropractic for a complete exam and report of findings for your back pain.

Treating Low Back Pain With Chiropractic

Specific techniques for the chiropractic treatment for low back pain depends greatly on the condition. At Gallatin Valley Chiropractic of Bozeman, we usually use chiropractic adjusting for the lower lumbar vertebrae and pelvis to re-establish normal joint motion and position. This, potentially in combination with soft tissue mobilization, dry needling,  implementation of a functional rehab program, or referrals for co-treatment with outside practitioners, will help your body to heal and maintain proper function to provide lasting relief.

Chiropractic treatment for low back pain has repeatedly been shown to be the most effective way to treat low back pain. This not only treats and minimizes the pain, but it allows a fully functioning spine and healthy nervous system. 

In addition to chiropractic being the most effective treatment for back pain, it has also shown to be the most cost effective care option with the best long term outcomes compared to any other treatment! Thanks to this research, the American Medical Association now considers spinal manipulation for low back pain as performed by a chiropractor, to be safe and effective form of care.



Research supporting Chiropractic for Low Back Pain:

http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2616395

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1529943003001773

http://journals.lww.com/spinejournal/Abstract/2011/08150/Does_Maintained_Spinal_Manipulation_Therapy_for.2.aspx

https://bmcmusculoskeletdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1471-2474-12-170




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