Back Pain

Do you have a nagging, dull low back pain? Do you experience back pain when sitting or standing? Does your lower back feel tight? Do you have pain in your buttocks and legs? Are you asking yourself, “Do I need to see a back pain specialist?” or “will chiropractic help ease my pain?”

If so, now may be the time to seek treatment from a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic. Lower back pain is an all-too-common health complaint. In fact, up t0 85% of Americans will suffer incapacitating lower back pain during their lifetime. Unfortunately, pain in the lower back can be difficult to treat, and finding non-surgical, medication-free pain relief isn’t easy.

At Denver South Chiropractic, our spine specialists treat patients who suffer from all types of low back pain. From muscle spasms and minor strains and sprains to more serious problems, such as bulging or herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis, our chiropractic specialists are equipped to treat a wide range of conditions involving both the lumbar and cervical spine.

Back pain is such a common complaint largely because there are simply so many things that can cause it. From accidents and injuries to congenital defects, there are all sorts of things that can lead to pain that is felt in the upper or lower back. Here are a few of the most common issues that our Denver back pain specialists treat:

Muscle Spasms
Muscle spasms can occur in any muscle but usually happen in the lower back. Spasms can be a result of old or new injuries, and they vary in degree of severity.

Strains and Sprains
Strains and sprains are injuries caused by accidents, from overuse, or from repetitive motion. They can also involve injuries to a joint with possible tearing of ligaments or tendons. When you suffer a strain/sprain, there is usually enough force to cause abnormal function of the spinal joint.

Disc Injuries
Ruptured, herniated, or degenerated discs are a leading cause of serious pain in the lower back and can be caused by sudden trauma or by years of forceful movements of the spine. They often occur following falls or auto accidents. Disc injuries do not always require surgery and may be treated with proper chiropractic care and maintenance.

Sciatica
One of the most common causes of lower back pain and sciatica (leg pain and numbness) is the loss of normal function of a vertebra in the lower back. These vertebrae become jammed or twisted causing abnormal disc wear, muscle function, and nerve pressure. When a nerve is compressed, it can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the leg.

Our approach to lower back pain and sciatica is to locate the underlying cause. This begins with a complete consultation, x-rays (if necessary), and a thorough chiropractic, orthopedic, physical, and neurological examination from a chiropractic physician. This is followed up with a prescribed treatment of care.

Home Care for Back Pain During Treatment

During treatment for a lower back injury, our experts suggest several precautions that will allow you to heal faster and prevent a recurrence of the injury:

• Do absolutely no lifting until your chiropractor says you may resume such activities.
• When lying down, assume any position that will afford relief. As you improve, your chiropractor will instruct you as to the proper position for your particular type of back problem.
• Take a mild natural laxative, if needed, so that you will not need to strain when having a bowel movement.
• Frequently stand and walk for short periods of time, as directed. Avoid the sitting position, as this puts the greatest strain on the lower back, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time.
• Avoid soft chairs. Use a straight-backed chair, and sit as erect as possible. Do not sit for prolonged periods until your physician has given you permission to do so.
• Avoid walking up or down stairs, and do not walk on rough ground.
• To get out of bed, turn onto your good side, draw your knees up, and push yourself into a sitting position using your arms. Then, place your feet on the floor and your hands on your thighs, and stand up, allowing your back to assume its most comfortable position.
• Do not use heat on your back unless your chiropractor has prescribed it. He or she will tell you how to use it if heat is needed at all.
• Do not bend forward to put on trousers, socks, shoes, etc. When bending, do so with the knees bent. Do not bend from the waist.

Pain in your upper or lower back can be serious. Before you get to the point of regular pain, spinal degeneration or worse, schedule a complimentary consultation with our Qualified Chiropractic Doctor today!