Back pain is known as the most common cause of bodily pain in Australia. It affects up to 90% of the population at least once throughout their life. There are many different forms of back pain ranging from acute to chronic with various symptoms associated with it. They may include radiating pain down the legs or pins and needles in lower body regions.
The Most Common Causes of Back Pain Include:
- Overuse
- Sedentary activity
- Desk Work
- Heavy Lifting
- Poor Posture
- Disc Injuries
- Joint Dysfunction
- Degeneration
- Strains or Sprains of the ligaments or muscles
How to help manage back pain
There are several things you can do that may help prevent and manage back pain:
- Ice or Heat can provide relief in the acute stages (<48 hours).
- Stretches and exercises specific for low back pain can help improve or even decrease pain.
- Keep heavy lifting minimal and when doing so using correct technique to do so (knees bent).
- Keeping active such as a simple walk and decreasing seated activity helps increase mobility and flexibility throughout the area.
- Visit your allied health professional and see how they can implement certain techniques to alleviate your back pain.
5 ways Chiropractors may be able to help with back pain
Chiropractic care can help alleviate low back pain using just a few ways below:
Spinal Adjustments
Our Chiropractor will assess the areas that are restricted within the spine in both the upper and lower sections to ensure they correct the dysfunctions identified. This will help improve function in the area by reducing tension and alleviating the pain causing the issue. Surrounding areas will also be assessed to ensure that they are not pulling or twisting the area in an unnatural position causing what we think to be the “main” cause of back pain.
Low Back Stretches and Exercises
Low Back exercises and Low Back Stretches may be implemented to help assist with building strength and maintaining flexibility throughout the area of concern. The exercises will be tailored towards what areas of the body need exercise and stretches although general exercises will be given aswell to ensure that the patient has a variety to choose from to suit their needs.
Remedial Massage Therapy, Dry Needling or Cupping
If needed our chiropractors may refer you to our remedial massage therapists or even implement other modalities such as Dry Needling or Cupping to help decrease muscle tightness, especially for people suffering with low back pain.
Posture Checks
Our Chiropractors at The Melbourne Chiropractor understand that different modalities should be used to help alleviate pain and discomfort. there is not one recipe that works for every patient hence why our clinic has various practitioners performing different types of chiropractic care. Posture for low back pain can be a big problem and this is why our chiropractors will check for instability within the hips, changes to toe in and toe out of the foot and changes to upper back and lower back curvature. It is common to find underlying postural related issues that can have an impact long term on recovering from back pain hence why our team take a holistic approach to chiropractic care to ensure everything gets done the right way from the beginning.
Doctor Referrals or Specialists
Our Broadmeadows Chiropractor especially has worked with patients of surgeons who have had spinal fusions or surgeries related to previous low back pain. What we find is patients who have had surgery before have a limitation in low back movement hence why we try to alleviate the tension associated with the area that has been fused. At times we also may refer patients out to surgeons to get a second set of eyes to look at the situation although most of the time we will refer to a doctor to get the right information to proceed. Most times our team of chiropractors will refer for an X-ray and create a report before sending a patient of to a GP for further testing.
If you are someone who is suffering from low back pain and doesn’t know where to start, or wondering what to expect on your first chiropractor visit, our team of chiropractors or remedial massage therapists are more than happy to help you get back on track. You can always contact us or book online @ https://themelbournechiropractor.com.au/book-now
