Low back pain is an extremely common problem, as up to 85% of people experience some low back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, low back pain is second only to the common cold as a reason for medical office visits. Low back pain is also an expensive problem in today’s society, as a study published in 1998 in the Annals of Internal Medicine revealed that the direct and indirect costs of low back pain are estimated at 60 billion annually in the United States. The cause of low back pain could be due to many different disorders including simple joint dysfunction, faulty movement patterns, or potentially more serious underlying problems. Regardless of the cause, studies suggest if back pain goes untreated the patient is more likely to experience the same pain within one year of its origin. In other words, despite popular belief, studies suggest that back pain typically does not "go away" on its own for good.

 

Occasionally, low back pain is accompanied by shooting pains that can go to any portion of the lower extremities, commonly referred to as "sciatica." Depending on the cause, these symptoms can typically be remedied through chiropractic management if the right approach is taken. Pain radiating into your lower extremities could potentially be caused or contributed to by an abnormality of the low back. The most common causes of low back pain are injures due to lifting improperly, previous trauma, muscle imbalances, referred pain, and poor posture. During your initial examination, our chiropractors will perform a series of neurological, orthopedic, and reflex testing to narrow the diagnosis to a specific location and cause. Current medical literature strongly supports the use of chiropractic therapies for the treatment of most causes of low back pain. Once the cause of dysfunction is determined your doctor will begin the appropriate treatment plan for your specific condition. Additionally, all treatment options will be discussed with you prior to beginning care.

 

At ChiroCare Integrations, we establish a treatment plan that is personalized to each patient’s condition and symptoms. We are committed to providing the highest quality non-invasive treatment for our patients regarding their care. For recent studies supporting the use of chiropractic therapies for the treatment of low back pain, please click here.

 

Perceived Benefit of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Back Pain

A recent study, “Perceived Benefit of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Back Pain” (Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, May – June 2010, Vol. 23 No.3), found the majority of respondents receiving CAM for back pain reported great benefit from the various treatments. Overall, 60 percent of those surveyed who had at least one CAM therapy in the last 12 months found remarkable relief using the top six CAM modalities; chiropractic care, massage, yoga/tai chi/qi Cong, acupuncture, herbal therapies, and relaxation techniques – with chiropractic care the most popular choice. Click here to read»