Back pain is an epidemic. Every day, thousands of people deal with the symptoms of low back pain, which can range widely in severity. For instance, some individuals may experience such severe back pain that they are unable to even stand up. On the other hand, some people might just feel a nagging, aching pain in their back that doesn’t prevent them from accomplishing their daily tasks.
But whether you’ve suffered from back injuries in the past, are currently experiencing back pain, or are hoping to avoid ever having to deal with this condition, chiropractic care can help!
Back Pain Basics
Frustratingly, there is still much to learn about why back pain is such a common occurrence throughout the world. We don’t fully understand the mechanisms of pain in general, let alone back pain specifically.
However, we can point to some key risk factors, potential treatments, and findings that shed more light on the issue of back pain today.
Risk Factors for Back Pain
There are a variety of risk factors that can predispose a patient for the development of back pain. A few of the major risk factors are:
- Overweight/Obesity.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Advanced age.
- Current or past cigarette smoking.
By avoiding these factors (to the extent you can; we still haven’t figured out how to reverse aging effectively), you can mitigate your risk of developing back pain.
Exercise and Back Pain
It may seem counterintuitive, but exercise works wonders both for the prevention and treatment of back pain. However, it’s important to note that not just any form of exercise is a good choice for back pain.
For instance, some cases of back pain may get worse when a person attempts to stretch or move in a specific direction. Therefore, exercising in such a manner may not be a good idea. Exercising under the guidance of a trained professional is crucial, especially for those who have severe symptoms or are unfamiliar with how to structure an exercise program.
Surgeries for Back Pain
Many people who suffer from long stretches of back pain may, at one point or another, elect to undergo surgery. While this is a choice that must be considered on an individual basis, it’s always important to remember that a surgery can never be reversed. Once you’ve gone under the knife, there is no going back.
Some people have great success with back surgeries. These individuals feel better and can generally move throughout the rest of their lives without incident.
However, there are also cases of individuals who “fail” back surgeries and end up with worse pain or no relief from their initial symptoms. In these cases, there are few options left to treat the pain, once a significant surgery has been performed.
Medications and Back Pain
Pain medications have wreaked havoc on our society for decades. Patients who are prescribed pain medication to treat their back pain are never able to truly resolve the underlying issue. As a result, as soon as they go off of the medication, their symptoms return, creating a cycle of dependency.
There are some cases where short-term pain medication use may be warranted. However, in most cases, pain medicine is not a viable option for this condition. Thankfully, most clinicians have begun to recognize this reality.
Chiropractic Care for Back Pain
In contrast to surgery and medication, chiropractic care offers a safe, effective alternative treatment for back pain. Chiropractors will manipulate specific segments of a patient’s spine, realigning the vertebra and often improving symptoms significantly.
If you’ve had back pain, or are trying to avoid ever having to deal with this debilitating condition, come see your Parker chiropractor today. At Awaken Chiropractic, our expert team will diagnose your symptoms and then develop a treatment plan to get you back in action as soon as possible. Book your appointment now!
