Back pain is the number one cause of disability worldwide. Among the parts of the body, the back is one of the most prone to injury as the spine works round the clock. We engage our back when we twist and bend, and it also stabilizes the body while carrying a load.
Sometimes the back suffers from injury or strain that leads to its inability to function well. Anti-inflammatories such as Ibuprofen are often the go-to remedies for severe back pain. However, do they really work in relieving the pain? Read until the end to know if you should continue taking Ibuprofen for back pain.
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The spine has different moving structures, which is why locating the cause of back pain can be challenging. Back pain can arise due to an old injury or repetitive movements. Some other common reasons for the onset of back pain are:
More often, back pain is nothing serious. However, you should pay a visit to a doctor if you experience these symptoms along with your back pain:
According to a report, the benefits of anti-inflammatory drugs in back pain are small and that they may come with harmful side effects. Researchers reviewed data from 6,065 patients and assessed the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen for back pain.
They discovered that the analgesics only offered minimal relief for back-pain patients. In addition, their effect was little to no benefit and cannot be considered clinically significant. Besides Ibuprofen, other widely used anti-inflammatories for back pain are Aspirin, Naproxen, and Celecoxib.
Furthermore, the study revealed that patients who took analgesics are 2.5 times more prone to have gastrointestinal problems such as stomach bleeding and ulcers.
If you belong to the 540 million people around the world suffering from back pain, know that medications are not the only means to keep the pain at bay. These medications are potentially harmful, and they do not get to the underlying cause of the problem. An often overlooked but common cause of back pain begins in the neck.
Many people would never think of their necks as the origin of their back discomfort and pain. However, considering the design of the spine’s structures, the uppermost vertebra of the neck can be the reason behind your back pain. In fact, this is the scenario in many case studies.
When the atlas (uppermost bone in the spine) moves out of alignment, the rest of the structures below it would need to compensate. Since the pain often occurs where the major adjustments occur, the mid or lower back suffers despite the initial issue being in the neck.
A solution that can address this problem is upper cervical chiropractic. It is a natural technique that adjusts the bones, similar to chiropractic, but it only focuses on the atlas.
Many things contribute to the misalignment of the atlas. First, it can stem from poor posture and repetitive movements you exercise daily. Second, it can be due to the impact of an accident or injury. All these can result in off-balanced spine, beginning in the neck down to the lower back. Over time, new imbalances may occur, such as shifting of the shoulders to one side or forward. In short, there is a domino effect. The misalignment can work its way down the spine. Sometimes, the pain even radiates to the hips and legs.
Medications may provide some short-term back pain relief, but they are not the best option for long-term help. Upper cervical chiropractors resolve the source of back pain problem by thoroughly examining the atlas in the upper neck and readjusting it to move back into its correct position.
Upper cervical chiropractic care provides a long-lasting solution instead of merely attending to the pain. Using exact measurements, x-rays, and imaging, upper cervical doctors determine the extent of the misalignment and then make necessary corrections. Adjusting the atlas does not only relieve back pain, but it also restores the proper function of the structures of the spine and the entire central nervous system. In short, your muscles and ligaments can start healing correctly.
Locate an upper cervical chiropractor in your city by clicking the button below. Most doctors in our directory offer obligation-free consultation. We urge you to learn more about upper cervical chiropractic, a unique form of care that can potentially help you live a pain-free life.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/risk-factors/con-20020797
https://www.painscience.com/articles/when-to-worry-about-low-back-pain-and-when-not-to.php
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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.
