Running is an enjoyable activity that can bring lots of benefits to your overall health. It's a simple cardiovascular exercise that helps improve your lunch capacity and allows oxygen to circulate better in your body. However, it can also bring disadvantages to your body, eventually triggering pain and discomfort. An upper cervical chiropractor is no stranger to runners complaining about pain.
At some point, runners may experience issues, including low back pain, whether they run for leisure or athletic purposes. But why is this the case? Sometimes running is not the direct reason why pain exists. Usually, an existing condition causes running worsens, hence the additional pain and discomfort. So let's explore possible causes of low back pain linked to running.
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If you already have existing symptoms linked to back issues, such as muscle pains and stabbing pain, running tends to worsen these symptoms. In addition, lifting objects or bending, pain on one side may also cause runners discomfort. Below are some possible reasons for back pain after running:
Your spinal discs can experience the usual wear and tear as you age, but some cases might be excessive and can lead to degenerative disc disease. On the other hand, a herniated disc, also called a ruptured or slipped disc, happens when the inner section of your disc or the cushions between your bones start pushing through the outer ring. Severe cases of herniated discs can bring permanent nerve damage. If you are showing symptoms related to this condition, you can reach out to an upper cervical chiropractor to help you cope better.
This is a common cause of back pain due to poor posture of the exaggerated inward curve of your lower spine. This poor posture can cause your stomach to lean forward and your buttocks to push out. It's as if your back is forming a C-shaped arch. This condition does not usually require medical intervention, but improving your posture with proper exercises and stretching can correct it. Hyperlordosis may also stem from the following conditions:
Overdoing or regularly engaging in intense physical activity such as running can make your ligaments, tendons, and even the muscles in your lower back stretch too much or even tear, which can lead to muscle spasms, pain, and stiffness. A sprain can stem from overstretched, torn, or twisted ligaments. Strains are usually from overstretched, torn, or twisted muscles or tendons.
If you have weak deep core muscles, you may experience the onset of back pain after a running workout. This is because you have to rely more progressively on your superficial muscles, which brings a higher chance of back pain.
Before we discuss how an upper cervical chiropractor can relieve lower back pain, let's first highlight the upper cervical spine's connection with lower back pain. Your upper cervical spine is located in the neck area, which makes them highly susceptible to misalignment. It consists of the topmost bones called the atlas and the axis and said misalignments could lead to lower back pain.When your upper cervical spines shift out of alignment, it can trigger a chain reaction downwards to your lower back. These misaligned bones can put undue pressure on surrounding nerves, muscles, and tissues. Despite starting from the top or neck area, the pain can also manifest in the lower back. These undue stress and pressure can make certain physical activities painful, including running. Upper cervical chiropractic adjustments are necessary to correct these misalignments and restore your spine's alignment and balance.You can reach out to an upper cervical chiropractor near you to get your spine alignment checked. If they see even a slight misalignment, they will recommend a series of adjustments to correct it before it worsens and triggers more pain and discomfort.
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.