Musculoskeletal and Nervous Systems

Approximately 7.7 million annually seek relief from back pain that has resulted from accidents, muscle strains, sports-related injuries, and mechanical stress and strain. Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability and time lost from work. The annual costs of lower-back pain in the United States—including lost wages and reduced productivity—are more than $100 billion.

When we realize the extraordinary scope of back problems—which ranks among the top ten causes of disabilities—it is important that we learn: 1) what causes back pain, 2) how to prevent back pain, and 3) the treatments for back pain.

Three ways that people develop back problems

Many people experience back problems during their life. Back problems seem to be a target for pain because the lower back is subject to a lot of stress. There are many causes of back pain, but three common causes are as follows:
1. Mechanical problems: Some back problems occur when the discs that are located between the spinal vertebrae begin to degenerate. As they degenerate they begin to lose their ability to cushion certain types of stress which results in extreme pain. Other types of mechanical causes include muscle tension, muscle spasms and herniated discs.
2. Weekend warfare: The primary causes of back pain for the once-a-week former athlete or the active hobbyist occur when they resume a manual labor-type activity without proper stretching, warm-up exercises, and some training. They enter into the week-end “to-do” list as they plant trees, clean out the garage, etc.
3. Sports and exercise injuries: With participation in high school, college, professional athletics, or in community fitness programs, injuries do happen. The most commonly injured areas of the body are the spine, elbows, knees, ankles and shoulders. The typical injuries include strains and sprains, tendonitis and stress fractures, caused by an abnormal amount of stress on a normal bone.

Three ways to prevent back pain

Whether you already struggle with back pain or are trying to prevent back trouble, there are opportunities in your daily routine to protect your back.
1. Use proper lifting techniques to avoid back injuries. Improper lifting techniques can stress lower back muscles and can create small tears in the muscles. Disc injury may occur when the intervertebral discs bulge, break open or rupture. Joint injury will irritate joints and cause them to become locked or immobile.
2. Avoid prolonged sitting: Prolonged sitting keeps numerous muscles in an unnatural state for long periods of time. The primary muscles affected become weak by pulling on the bones that anchor them, which then results in misaligned joints and vertebrae.
3. Exercise routinely: Strengthening the muscles that support one’s back—especially the hips, back, abdominal area and the pelvic area—is important. The development of these muscles will eliminate a considerable amount of time for treatment and rehabilitation.

Treatments for treating back pain

One option for people who need back pain treatment is to seek the help of a chiropractor. In fact, over 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually. The treatment program involves a thorough review of a patient’s medical history, medical conditions, medications, surgical history, and one’s past and current lifestyle. This is followed by a physical examination, lab tests and potential diagnostic imaging.

The ultimate goal of the selected individual technique is to restore joint performance, along with eliminating joint inflammation to reduce pain. Three common types of adjustment techniques used by chiropractors include the following:
1. Manual therapy. Typically this includes several sessions of spinal mobilization and/or spinal manipulation. With spinal mobilization, the chiropractor moves the joints of the spine around in their normal movement range. In spinal manipulation, the chiropractor moves joints beyond the usual range of movement.

Decades ago chiropractic treatment was mainly focused on spinal manipulations. Currently, chiropractors use other treatments for the relief of back pain, too.

2. Massage therapy: Message therapy plays a very important role as it helps keep one’s mind and body functioning at an ultimate level by increasing circulation, decreasing muscle spasms and aids in the rehabilitation of soft tissue injuries. This therapy stimulates the body's pressure receptors.
3. Therapeutic exercises: Chiropractors commonly prescribe specific strengthening exercises for their patients with back problems. These exercises can decrease pain, prevent muscle deterioration, increase strength, stability and range of motion.

Should you choose treatment by a chiropractor?

Even though over 22 million visit a chiropractor annually, some people still question whether a chiropractor can be effective in treating their back pain. Frank Painter, D.C. addresses this concern by summarizing a recent study by Rand Corporation: “Recipients of chiropractic care reported better overall health, spent fewer days in hospitals, used fewer prescription drugs and were more active and mobile.” The compared treatments in this study included exercise, physical therapy and medication.

So, if you have lower back pain or feel frustrated with traditional medical treatment, make an appointment with a chiropractor. A chiropractor is a health professional who believes that alignment of the spine is related to a person’s overall well-being. Treatments are focused on whole-body health without prescription and surgery.

In sum, chiropractic care plays a legitimate and vital role in helping to ease back pain of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. If their diagnostic testing reveals that an injury is outside the scope of their practice, chiropractors will refer patients to a needed medical specialist. However, in most cases a chiropractor will treat the back ailment and will also provide numerous preventive strategies that are effective in keeping the problem from happening again.