What People Should Know About Low Back Pain
Many people seek chiropractic care to alleviate pain, improve function and get back to the things they love to do as quickly as possible. One condition, in fact, the most common condition that chiropractic patients seek relief from is low back pain.
Low back pain in Canada is an epidemic that is in part driving the opioid epidemic as opioid are commonly prescribed for low back pain. Check out some of these statistics.
• In a six-month period, five in 10 Canadians suffered low back pain(1)
• Up to 85% of working people can expect to experience low back pain during their lifetime(2)
• In Canada, the low back pain-related estimate of the medical costs ranges between 6 and 12 billion dollars annually(3)
Even though low back pain plagues many people, finding the exact cause can be a challenge. However, chiropractors are spinal, joint, muscle and nervous system specialists that are trained to not only help alleviate your pain but also find the cause of the problem and provide advice and direction on how to help avoid episodes of discomfort and pain in the future.
As you seek help from your chiropractor, you’ll want to keep the following things in mind:
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.
Treatment Options Are Available
Fortunately, there are many treatment options for low back pain. Based on the diagnosis provided by your chiropractor, 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.
Hot or cold compresses
Modalities like Interferential Therapy or Laser
Acupuncture
Exercises
Massage Therapy or some other form of soft tissue work
Getting Relief From Your Pain
If you were prescribed pain medication by a medical doctor before seeing your chiropractor, it might still be required to help reduce your pain levels. At Sun Chiropractic we very often work with your family physician or other healthcare providers to help make sure you get the results you want quickly.
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.
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.
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. 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 more serious causes of your low back pain are unlikely. At Sun Chiropractic we only suggest X-rays when required.
The bottom line is that a chiropractor is the ideal professional to consult with for musculoskeletal pain like low back pain. They’re not only well-qualified to treat conditions like low back pain and achieve great results in an affordable and effective manner, but chiropractors are also well equipped to diagnose your low back pain and refer to other healthcare providers when needed.
If you or a loved one are suffering from low back pain, gives us a call. We’re here to help!
[1] GBD 2015 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 310 diseases and injuries, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. Lancet. 2016 Oct 8;388(10053):1545-1602.
[2] Hoy D, Bain C, Williams G, March L, Brooks P, Blyth F, Woolf A, Vos T, Buchbinder R. A systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain. Arthritis Rheum. 2012 Jun;64(6):2028-37. doi: 10.1002/art.34347. Epub 2012 Jan 9. Review.
[3] Church J, Saunders D, Wanke M, Pong R, Spooner C, Dorgan M. Citizen participation in health decision-making: past experience and future prospects. J Public Health Policy. 2002;23(1):12-32. Review.
