Back pain is perhaps the most complained about condition. The American Chiropractic Association reports that back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and affects 31 million Americans. It prevents people from going to work and performing everyday tasks. It even causes sufferers to visit the emergency room.
Some causes of back pain need serious attention. Fortunately, life-threatening cases of back pain are rare. Below is the list of possible reasons why people experience backaches.
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Back pain is a common complaint among pregnant women. Women’s bodies change to house the growing fetus. Some of the factors that cause back pain during pregnancy are the changes in hormone levels, weight gain, and the separation of abdominal muscles.
This is one of the leading causes of back pain. Strain of the back muscles occurs due to poor posture, muscle overuse, improper lifting methods, sitting for extended hours, and other reasons.
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It stretches from the lower back, down to the buttocks, hips, and back of both legs. Irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve results in sciatica. People suffering from sciatica may experience low back pain and soreness anywhere along the sciatic nerve.
Rupture, bulging, or herniation of a spinal disc can cause extreme pain. It happens when the outer rings of the disc become weak, and the inner ear nucleus presses through. Disc herniation is often due to injury or wear and tear. It creates severe back pain that may radiate down in the arms or legs, depending on the location of the affected disc.
Spondylosis is an umbrella term that pertains to deterioration of the cartilage, ligaments, or vertebrae of the spine. This type of degeneration is also called osteoarthritis. The loss of function of the vertebrae of the joints and discs in the lower back results in nerve inflammation and pain.
A healthy spine has straight alignment when viewed from the back. When viewed from the side, there should be gentle curves in place. Scoliosis is the abnormal sideways curvature of the spine. It forms a “C” or “S” shape. In severe cases, scoliosis can cause back pain and the malfunction of organs.
Spondylolisthesis frequently affects the lower back. It has something to do with a vertebra sliding forward out of its normal place. This can press on the nerves that branch off of the spinal cord, resulting in numbness, weakness, tingling, or pain.
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spaces within the spine, putting pressure on the spinal cord and its nerve roots. Over time, it can cause weakness, pain, and numbness.
People living with fibromyalgia deal with chronic neck and back pain, besides experiencing other debilitating symptoms of the condition such as widespread body pain and fatigue.
Subluxation or misalignment of the top vertebrae in the spine can cause compensations throughout the entire spine. Back pain is one of its immediate results. These vertebrae (the C1 and C2) control the alignment and health of the whole spine.
Besides supporting your back and preserving your good quality of life, it is essential to maintain your spine’s health for another crucial reason.
Your spine shelters your spinal cord and brainstem, which link to your brain and make up your central nervous system. Nerve irritation not only brings muscle weakness, pain, numbness, and tingling but also can cause far-reaching problems in your body. One of them is disrupting your body’s ability to regulate itself.
Medications can help you get rid of back pain temporarily. But if you are seeking long-lasting relief, getting to the root cause of your back pain is the best solution.
Atlas misalignment has been the hidden cause of back pain in many reported cases. The atlas (C1), along with the axis (C2), are the two most unique bones in the spinal column. They support the weight of the head and allow its free movement in any direction.
An atlas misalignment can initiate a series of compensations throughout the whole spine as the atlas struggles to maintain the neutral position of the head.
Back pain patients can notice the same things when they look in the mirror: tilted head either on the left or right, uneven shoulders, and one hip higher than the other.
These happen because of the atlas misalignment that results in unequal strain and tension on one side of the spine. Over time, if left ignored, it can result in much worse issues such as tissue injury and early degeneration.
Upper cervical chiropractic care attends to the root cause of back pain, unlike other back pain relief options that only chase around symptoms. As a result, many patients benefit from a natural opportunity to recover and receive lasting results.
Upper cervical chiropractic doctors employ a fundamental, gentle approach to care for the spine. In short, upper cervical chiropractic is an ideal solution for people dealing with back pain and other health conditions.
Every adjustment upper cervical chiropractors do is patient-specific. This allows the atlas to hold in proper alignment longer. The great benefits are the repair of damaged tissues, restoration of the optimum function of the central nervous system, and return of the healthy body and life of patients.
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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.
