Common Causes of Low Back Pain

Common Causes of Low Back Pain Bryn Mawr Chiropractic Care

Common causes of low back pain

Common Causes of Low Back Pain

If you’re suddenly experiencing low back pain, you might not only be uncomfortable, but concerned. It can happen at any age, but most people are more likely to experience low back pain in later life. Low back pain can occur for a number of reasons.

Overworked or Knotted Muscles

Putting excess stress on the muscles in your lower back can cause low back pain. Some common causes include:

      • Extra weight gain in the last few years
      • Overstretching muscles
      • Long periods of sitting, standing, or lying down
      • Intense exercise – especially physical activity that doesn’t fit your usual lifestyle
      • Trying to force your back into a straight position

While your doctor can recommend treatments for these and other common causes of low back pain, many people have no problem managing their pain at this stage. You may have a sore lower back, but it will often clear up and go away by itself.

Dislocated Spine

Your low back may hurt from damage to your discs. Dislocations and tears in the spine can damage the discs and cause severe back pain. In some cases, you will feel pain that goes all the way around your back.

Sometimes, back pain is an indication of a problem with the spine itself. This is called spinal stenosis.

Nerve Damage

Another reason for low back pain may be a problem with your nerves. If you are experiencing pain in both your lower back and legs, the cause is likely nerve damage.

A pinched nerve in your back can also cause a similar sensation.

Mystery Ailments

Perhaps you have gotten a bump or bruise on your lower back that shows up out of nowhere. If it isn’t severe, it likely doesn’t need medical attention.

In some cases, the cause of a low back pain condition is not obvious, and it’s not uncommon to see several reasons for low back pain in one person. These types of situations require a doctor for accurate diagnosis.

When you have low back pain or another symptom that doesn’t seem to be getting better, you should see a doctor. If you’re unable to leave the house because of your pain, you might be able to get a visit from a qualified health professional at home.

Treatments for Low Back Pain

You may get relief from low back pain with exercise, stretching, treatment by a specialist such as a physical therapist or chiropractor, or a combination of these methods. Again, a doctor is the best person to advise you as to which type of treatment is best for your situation.

If your low back pain isn’t relieved by any of these treatments, your doctor may advise over the counter anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Stronger prescription opioids like hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, and morphine are also an option. With their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, these medicines greatly ease low back pain for most people.

Natural remedies can also provide relief from low back pain. However, it’s best to be cautious, especially if you’re taking medication, as there can be interactions. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any natural remedies for pain.

Suffering from low back pain is frustrating, but a lot of situations resolve themselves quickly without the need for medical intervention. If your low back pain doesn’t disappear, your doctor can find out why and help you feel better.

About Bryn Mawr Chiropractic Care

Dr. Eric Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D, is a board-certified chiropractor serving the Philadelphia Main Line since 1984, including Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, Easttown Township, Willistown Township, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County. Services provided include gentle spinal adjustments, sports injury care, family care, auto accident care, and health education.

BRYN MAWR CHIROPRACTIC CARE
www.BrynMawrChiropractic.com

Eric G. Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D.
Rosemont Plaza
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Suite 15-I
Rosemont, PA 19010
(610) 527-8491
DrChesloff@BrynMawrChiropractic.com

Hours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Insurance is accepted, as applicable. Dr. Chesloff is a Medicare provider.

What to Expect from a Chiropractor Appointment

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What to Expect From A Chiropractor Appointment

Chiropractors are known for focusing on spinal manipulation to ease pain or other health concerns. It can be intimidating to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor without having been to one. However, there is nothing to worry about. A chiropractic appointment is like a visit to a general practitioner, except the prescribed treatment will involve spinal manipulation.

As with visiting any doctor, it will be important to describe the symptoms and reasons for the appointment. The chiropractor will take this information, combined with an X-ray and a physical exam, and decide on a course of treatment. If there is any discomfort during the appointment, it is important to let the doctor know. They are there to help and will take this information into consideration for the treatment plan.

At the chiropractor, patients are likely to undergo some form of physical therapy, in order to relax the muscles to acclimate to the re-alignment. This may include massage or electrical stimulation. If a patient has not undergone this treatment before, the chiropractor’s assistant or therapist will be there to assist and answer questions.

It’s common to visit the chiropractor more frequently earlier in a new course of treatment. The benefit of spinal manipulation is that the spine and joints are re-aligned afterward. However, that effect can wear off more quickly towards the beginning of treatment. Visits can range from two or three times a week when treatment begins, so it is best to prepare for frequent appointments. As treatment proves successful, visits may decrease to once per week or twice per month.

Not all chiropractors are the same. While some prefer physical spinal manipulation, others prefer to practice with a neurological approach or through nerve manipulation. It is up to the patient to do their research and decide what treatment makes them feel their best.

About Dr. Eric Chesloff

Dr. Eric Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D, is a board-certified chiropractor serving the Philadelphia Main Line since 1984, including Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, Easttown Township, Willistown Township, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County. Services provided include gentle spinal adjustments, sports injury care, family care, auto accident care, and health education.

BRYN MAWR CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Eric G. Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D.
Rosemont Plaza
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Suite 15-I
Rosemont, PA 19010
(610) 527-8491
DrChesloff@BrynMawrChiropractic.com
www.brynmawrchiropractic.com
Hours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Insurance is accepted, as applicable. Dr. Chesloff is a Medicare provider.

Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Workplace Injuries?

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Why choose chiropractic care for workplace injuries?

An injury on the job affects your health and your ability to work. It is vital that you treat the underlying injuries; otherwise, you risk a recurrence of the injury after return to work. Yet many conventional treatments focus on treating the symptoms using pain medication, rather than treating the underlying causes. For this reason, chiropractic adjustments are a better choice for treating many workplace injuries.

When to See a Chiropractor

It’s important to choose the right medical care based on your injuries. While you’d see a doctor to treat a deep cut that requires stitches, a chiropractor is a better choice for workplace injuries that involve:

      • neck pain
      • back pain
      • herniated disc
      • carpal tunnel
      • frozen shoulder
      • shoulder pain
      • slipped disc
      • repetitive muscle strains and sprains
      • ergonomic injuries
      • knee pain
      • joint pain

The first phase of chiropractic treatment reduces inflammation and pain. Many patients feel a reduction in their symptoms after the initial appointment. When inflammation is reduced, a chiropractor will then adjust the tissue, joints, and spine to restore the body’s natural alignment and break apart scar tissue. This helps you regain the full range of motion you enjoyed before the injury. A chiropractor will also demonstrate stretches and corrective exercises, which you can do in between appointments and when treatment ends to maintain optimal health.

Chiropractic vs. Conventional Treatment

If you have never had chiropractic treatment before, then you may wonder how it differs from conventional medical care. Here are a few of the ways that chiropractic adjustments differ from conventional treatment of the workplace injuries mentioned above.

  • No medication required – Doctors rely on pain medication as a first-line treatment for injuries. However, pain medication has been overprescribed in the U.S., and many people are leery of taking it on account of the prescription drug epidemic. Chiropractic care does not include pain medication; many chiropractors believe that medication simply hides the pain, rather than healing the injury. There is no worry of becoming addicted to pain pills when you try chiropractic care.
  • Safe complementary treatment – Chiropractic care is a standalone treatment of workplace injuries that is gentle and effective for all ages. Individuals who have underlying health conditions may prefer chiropractic care, because there are no contraindications with the management of preexisting conditions.
  • Addressing the root – While conventional medical care does heal the presenting injury, much of the focus is on masking pain symptoms. Chiropractic care looks at the structural elements within the body that are affected by the injury and restores the body’s natural alignment. This alleviates pressure of joints and muscles, promotes natural posture, and heals soft tissue that was damaged. The result is a full recovery from the injury.

With a better understanding of workplace injuries chiropractors treat and what to expect when you see a chiropractor, you can assess your injuries and decide on the best treatment method. What’s more, you will be able to make a full recovery and return to the job you enjoy with no lingering side effects from the incident.

About Dr. Eric Chesloff

Dr. Eric Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D, is a board-certified chiropractor serving the Philadelphia Main Line since 1984, including Lower Merion Township, Haverford Township, Radnor Township, Tredyffrin Township, Easttown Township, Willistown Township, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County. Services provided include gentle spinal adjustments, sports injury care, family care, auto accident care, and health education.

BRYN MAWR CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Eric G. Chesloff, D.C., Ph.D.
Rosemont Plaza
1062 Lancaster Avenue
Suite 15-I
Rosemont, PA 19010
(610) 527-8491
DrChesloff@BrynMawrChiropractic.com
www.brynmawrchiropractic.com
Hours are by appointment, Monday through Saturday. Insurance is accepted, as applicable. Dr. Chesloff is a Medicare provider.