A healthy back is strong, flexible and pain free. It supports the upper body and allows for maximum mobility. Low back pain refers to pain that you feel in your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficulty standing straight. Lower back pain can be caused by irritation, inflammation, spasms, and injury to any part of the back, including nerves, joints, muscles, ligaments, cartilage, and joint capsules. Also, poor posture, improper lifting and lack of muscle conditioning could leave the back prone to injury.
Dr. Levi is skilled in the different methods of treatment to suit specific injuries and knowledgeable in the prevention of low back problems. If you suffer from either acute or chronic back pain, you should seek professional help. Chiropractic care can restore joint mobility, joint function and relieve pressure on pain-sensitive structures.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
- Heavy or improper lifting
- Work related injuries
- Falls
- Sports related injuries
- Ruptured or herniated discs
- Arthritis, causing pain with or after activity and stiffness in the morning
- Car Accidents
- Spine curvatures (like scoliosis, hyperkyphosis or hyperlordosis), which may be inherited and seen in children or teens
- Poor posture, which if left untreated can lead to muscle/ligament injury and wear and tear
- Joint injury
- Bad sleeping habits
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Flat footedness
- Short leg syndrome
- Scoliosis
- Arthritis, psoriatic, rheumatoid and asteoarthritis
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Musculoskeletal syndrome– contracted and in some cases torn muscles and ligaments characterize this condition. Long term improper posture and/or old untreated injuries can cause stress to ligaments and muscles of the low back. Pain, spasm and restricted movements are common symptoms.
- Facet syndrome-restricted-fixated facet joints loose mobility and cause low back pain and stiffness. The nerve can get irritated and/or compressed, ligaments crossing-surrounding the joint which then becomes sprained and swollen. Symptoms often include, stiffness, pain when twisting and turning , rotating and bending.
- Disc syndrome-Continuous pressure, lifting, and injuries can cause intervertebral discs to bulge, herniate and/or protrude, irritating/compressing the nerves and sensitive structures. Most of the times, this condition causes radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and a cramping sensation to the lower extremities (sciatica).
- Degenerated Discs-are discs that are wearing out, dehydrate and loose height. These discs are vulnerable to disc syndrome.
- Sacroiliac syndrome-The sacroiliac (SI) joint consists of the sacral bone from the spine and the iliac bone from the pelvis, joining your spine to your pelvis. Common causes of pain in this joint are:
- Injury such as a sudden twist or turn
- Spain of the ligaments upon heavy lifting and/or falling
- Continuous prolonged standing and/or sitting can cause the muscles and the ligaments supporting this joint to weaken.
- Obesity and being over weight
- Compression fractures of the vertebra from injury and osteoporosis
- Cancer involving the spine and bones
- Muscle spasms (very tense muscles)
- Menstruation
- Internal organ disease
- Strains or tears to the muscles or ligaments supporting the back.
Symptoms
- Sharp or dull pain in the lower back and or hip, which may radiate to the buttock and down, to one or both legs
- You may have tingling or burning sensation, a dull achy feeling or sharp pain. Depending on the cause and severity, you may also have weakness in your legs or feet.
- Low back pain can vary widely. The pain may be mild, or it can be severe that one is unable to move.
- Depending on the cause of back pain, one who may have pain in his/her legs.
- May be worse with sitting, standing, walking, or laying in a particular position and/or activity.
Prevention
- Maintaining proper posture is the most basic principle of good back hygiene.
- Maintaining the proper-natural spinal curves.
- Avoid staying in one position too long without changes
- During lifting maintain proper posture-curvature of the back.
- Stretch, stretch and stretch
- Stretch before an activity or playing sports.
- Stretch after activity or playing sports.
- Stretch on a regular basis, 2-3 times a week to maintain flexibility, agility, and proper muscle, ligament, disc and tendon health.
- Proper nutrition can help keep bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons and cartilage healthy.
- Maintaining your weight avoids extra-excess weight in the lower back structures and deconditioning of those structures.