Low Back Pain

Low back pain is a common health problem that at some time affects more than 80% of people, making it second in frequency only to the common cold. However, unlike the common cold, back pain is often puzzling to most of its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving the problem.

Anatomy

Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is very useful in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back consist of posterior joints called facets that connect vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, composed of dense cartilage, join the bodies of the vertebrae. This dense cartilage encases the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also connect the vertebrae. The sacrum is a wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. It is attached to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is situated between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae.

Causes of Back Pain

In most cases, back pain happens without a trauma, an accident, or a major injury prior to the onset. The cumulative effects of unhealthy sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of healthy exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related factors create most back pain.  These cumulative factors create stresses and imbalances on the spine and, therefore, individuals may injure their back merely by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The spine was already at risk and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the challenge. When this happens, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.

Disc Problems & Sciatica

Prolonged sitting, especially in a slouched position produces increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles around the spine. Eventually the lower spine loses its usual function and no longer can accommodate for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, permitting the soft nucleus to distend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it creates the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. Sciatica develops when the disc presses on the spinal nerve. The symptoms of sciatica include pain, tingling, numbness, and often weakness in the lower extremities. Sometimes if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is needed to remove the herniated disc material. With chiropractic adjustments and care, which often includes postural exercises, most disc challenges, including sciatica, can be alleviated. If you are experiencing any of the conditions defined above, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic assistance.

Spondylosis

Repetitive assault to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may produce increased erosion and weight-bearing stress on the spine. Bone spurs are created when the cartilage around the joints is adversely affected by stress that induces calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This condition – known as Spondylosis – is a kind of arthritis that is likely to affect almost everyone at some point in life, as it is a common part of the aging process of the spine as well. But, influences such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic care and overall chiropractic management is very effective in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has assisted many Spondylosis sufferers.

Sacroiliac Problems

Another prevalent area of dysfunction or injury in the low back is in the sacroiliac joints. These weight-bearing joints connect the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are normally very strong and stable. However with trauma such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and change to an abnormal position.  This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation creates imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Pain happens particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during and after physical activity, and the individual may experience a lack of energy and fatigue.  Many times this imbalance can affect structures further up the spine and people can develop neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches. Chiropractic adjustments and treatment are extremely effective in ameliorating this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.

Spinal Subluxation

Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a common disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can prevail on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. Subluxations are not only painful, but they can constrict the nerves as they exit the foramen (or spaces) between the vertebrae, producing paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is a variation of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities oftenoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve dysfunctionin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also becorrelated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best eliminated by chiropractic adjustments.

Trauma

Trauma such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause damage to the spine and lower back. Often these traumas create over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this occurs a person can experience considerable pain and immobility. In order to escape long term disability or the development of any of the conditions listed above, chiropractic adjustments and treatment at the onset of symptoms is vital. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.

When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and skilled treatment for any of the above-mentioned conditions of the spine and lower back.