Low back pain has become one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries requiring a doctor’s office visit in Syracuse. It is also a huge contributor to loss work days. Low back pain may develop slowly and become chronic over time or it may come and go with no provocation.
We use all natural, gentle chiropractic treatments to help patients manage their pain. Our techniques involve no addictive medications and no invasive procedures, so you can get the treatment you need in a way that is safe. Chiropractic care is gentle enough to use on people of all ages, from children through seniors.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain
There are many reasons that people in Syracuse experience lower back pain. The most common causes of low back pain include:
- Career. Many people experience lower back pain because of their jobs. Un-ergonomic conditions, intense physical activity and repetitive tasks can all strain and stretch the muscles, causing lower back pain.
- Posture. Poor posture can put pressure on the lower lumbar region of the spine, which can result in lower back pain and pain throughout the back.
- Injury. Personal injuries, auto accident injuries and other forms of injury can all cause damage to the muscles and ligaments of the back, resulting in lower back pain.
Back Pain Is Just The Messenger
Pain is your body’s way of sending a message that something is amiss. If it weren’t for pain symptoms, you could continue to irritate and damage to yourself as you go about your daily activities. Pain relievers may temporarily silence the message that something is wrong, but that doesn’t mean the problem has gone away. Meanwhile, the pain relievers themselves can do tremendous harm. Aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen have possible side effects ranging from mild stomach pain to ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and liver failure. One goal of chiropractic is to alleviate pain by correcting the underlying cause, rather than merely masking symptoms with potentially harmful drugs.
Typical Symptoms include:
- Muscle Spasms. This is part of your bodies protective mechanism to prevent further injuries/irritation.
- Tingling and numbness in one leg. This is a common problem when the patient experiences pain of the sciatic nerve in the lower region of the back.
- Limited range of motion. Muscle stiffness can cause limited range of motion for patients experiencing back pain.
How to Diagnose Low Back Pain
Many patients experience lower back pain for weeks or months before coming in to the chiropractor. However, the best way to get a diagnosis of the condition is to see a medical professional like a chiropractor. A thorough exam will include orthopedic tests, range of motions, and palpation (feeling with our hands). One thing that we do not do at Cuse Chiro is taking of unnecessary x-rays or other imaging. Tracking down the source of back pain can be tricky because it may be secondary or “referred pain,” meaning that the real problem frequently begins in some other area of the body. It is important to examine areas above and below your pain to ensure that we have the complete picture of your complaint.
Chiropractic Treatment of Low Back Pain
In addition to a diagnosis, we also help patients by offering all natural, gentle chiropractic treatments for lower back pain. Some of the most common techniques we use to treat lower back pain include:
- Spinal Adjustment. This technique involves moving the joints of the spine to return the spine to normal, balanced movement. Most chiropractors in Syracuse stop treatment here, because it is the only thing that insurance pays for.
- Soft Tissue Work. Soft Tissue therapy is good for relieving patients of their low back pain.
- Stretching and Exercise. Active care is one of the best things for low back pain, and gives you tools to manage pain on your own.
- Lifestyle Advice. We teach patients how to make small changes to their routines to avoid back pain.
Chiropractic Alleviates Back Pain Naturally
Before back pain can be banished, the underlying cause must be located and corrected. Dr. Eric has the education and experience needed to interpret your back pain symptoms and to determine which part of your spine is dysfunctional. Damage to the soft tissue could be at fault, or the spine’s hardware – the joints and discs – may have suffered injury. Schedule your new patient exam online today or you can head over to the New Patient Area and see what to expect on your first visit.