Are you at that age when you experience lower back pain more often than you used to? Do you believe in the saying back pain is youth leaving the body? How often do you experience pain in your lower back? Do you know why and how it happens? Will back pain go away by itself? Should you ignore the pain and let it pass? How do you know if it's serious?
When pain starts appearing in different parts, it can be your body's way of communicating with you. It may be trying to tell you something, sending distress signals, hoping you'll listen and take action. Ignoring those signals could lead to a bigger problem. Whether you need professional help or just a few days of rest to recover, listening to your body's way of communicating with you can help prevent possible irreversible outcomes when you just ignore them.
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The answer will depend on the underlying cause and the severity of the pain. If you experience mild acute back pain due to muscle strain or minor injury, it can resolve independently over time with rest and self-care measures. But if the pain persists or worsens or becomes a chronic concern, there may be an underlying condition that needs to be addressed. Seeking a proper diagnosis and getting appropriate care is necessary to make you feel better. Ignoring persistent or severe back pain can lead to complications and long-term consequences.
Choosing to ignore your lower back pain can potentially lead to various consequences. If you don't get proper help, it can result in worsening symptoms, decreased mobility, reduced quality of life, chronic pain, potential complications, irreversible damage, and a higher risk of long-term disability. Knowing the type of pain you have and the potential causes can help you address the underlying cause of your pain and prevent further complications.
Low back pain can manifest in various forms, and by familiarizing yourself with the different forms that it can take and recognizing their symptoms, you can better understand the nature of your discomfort.
Acute low back pain is often sudden and short-lived, lasting for a few days to a few weeks. Muscle strains from lifting heavy objects, sudden movements, or injuries can lead to this. This can mean that your body needs rest and may require some TLC to prevent it from progressing.
If your back pain lingers for a longer time, extending beyond three months or recurring intermittently, you may have an underlying condition that needs to be checked by a professional. Conditions such as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or a previous injury can lead to chronic pain and significantly impact daily life.
This happens when the pain originating from a different area of the body is felt in other parts, such as the lower back. If you have issues with the kidneys, bladder, or reproductive organs, it can trigger lower back pain. Identifying the source of referred pain accurately can help you deal with it properly.
Overexertion, improper lifting techniques, or sudden movements can strain your muscles in the lower back, leading to pain and discomfort.
Intervertebral discs act as cushions between the vertebrae and can bulge or rupture due to age, injury, or degeneration. This can result in nerve impingement and lower back pain.
This is a narrowing in your spinal canal, placing pressure on your spinal cord and nerves. It commonly occurs with age and can contribute to chronic low back pain.
A misalignment in your Upper Cervical spine or the topmost bones of your spine located in the neck area can manifest pain in your lower back. These misalignments do not heal on their own, so the pain can continue happening and worsen over time. Addressing this alignment issue can help alleviate the symptoms you experience.
A consultation with an Upper Cervical Chiropractor can help confirm if a misalignment is a reason for your chronic pain. If they confirm that you have misaligned atlas and axis bones, you can then start receiving a series of adjustments to restore the proper alignment and balance in your spine. Doing so will help reduce the pain and slowly let your body heal naturally. Regular Upper Cervical Care can result in lasting relief.
By understanding the types of low back pain and exploring the potential underlying causes, you can seek appropriate care and start taking proactive steps toward relieving your lower back pain and reclaiming your quality of life.
TV show host Montel Williams describes how specific chiropractic care has helped his body.
The content and materials provided in this web site are for informational and educational purposes only and are not intended to supplement or comprise a medical diagnosis or other professional opinion, or to be used in lieu of a consultation with a physician or competent health care professional for medical diagnosis and/or treatment. All content and materials including research papers, case studies and testimonials summarizing patients' responses to care are intended for educational purposes only and do not imply a guarantee of benefit. Individual results may vary, depending upon several factors including age of the patient, severity of the condition, severity of the spinal injury, and duration of time the condition has been present.
