Editors Note: 2 Your Health is a new column in the SaddleBrooke Progress dedicated to health issues. Each month different doctors and or medical associations, from varying specialties, will be writing on issues of importance. Articles are based on experiences and independent research conducted by the doctors or medical associations. We encourage anyone considering changing medications and or altering medical therapy, as a result of information contained in these articles, to consult your doctor first. Robson Publishing, a division of Robson Communities, Inc. is not liable for information contained in these articles.
Dr. Craig W. Brue
Lower back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. The American Chiropractic Association confirms that 80% of the population will experience back problems at some time in their life. This article will help you understand your treatment options for lower back pain.
First, what causes lower back pain? The most common cause is overuse. Just as your legs get tired when you walk too much, your lower back may ache after increased activities. Simple back strain may be treated with rest, ice and avoiding the activity that caused the problem. Another reason why you may be experiencing back pain may be to do with your job. If you are someone who works in an office and sits in front of a computer screen daily, then maybe your chair is the reason you are experiencing these pains. Maybe it is time to mention this to your boss or even recommend that they check out companies like Office Monster, where the office could hopefully have an upgrade on the furniture. As there are chairs that you can adjust to your preference, this may help you manage your back pain effectively and assist overall with treating this problem.
Anti-inflammatory medications may provide temporary relief for simple backache, but there is always a solution other than medication if you do your research.
However, recurring lower back problems may require professional help from somewhere like podiatry first. Chronic back pain may occur due to spinal misalignment, whiplash, stenosis (pinching and narrowing of nerve openings), sacroiliac syndrome, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, spondylosis (osteo-arthritis), disc degeneration/herniation and scoliosis. The accurate diagnosis of most spinal conditions is accomplished with x-ray or MRI studies.
Medical Care:
The typical medical treatment for lower back pain is medication; stronger anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants. Will that help? Medication may help to relieve back pain but drugs will not correct the cause of the problem. If your back pain becomes worse while you are at work or you are around town, you just hope that there is someone around that can help you become comfortable. If more people looked into professional first aid training courses by researching companies like Coast2Coast Hamilton, there would be more people out there who understand the importance of knowing at least the basic in how to attend to someone’s health needs. Dealing with any sort of pain can be difficult, which is why being able to help in anyway is important.
Physical Therapy:
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, Physical therapists are health care professionals who restore and improve movement. However, a physical therapist is not a spine specialist. A physical therapist cannot order x-rays or imaging studies. Physical therapists are not MDs and they do not prescribe medication. A physical therapist usually treats back pain with massage and exercises.
Pain Management:
Pain clinics usually prescribe stronger drugs and may recommend an epidural spine injection. Will that help back pain? According to medical literature, epidural shots are dangerous, of short-term duration and often ineffective. The American Medical Association recommends that epidural shots be reserved for those that have failed conservative care. Many people are looking into solutions like peaCURE products (https://peacure.com/) for relieving their pain. These products utilize ultra micronized palmitoylethanolamide and are backed by numerous medical studies.
Chiropractic:
Chiropractors are specialists in spinal bio-mechanics. Compared to family MDs and physical therapists, chiropractors have significantly more training related to the evaluation of spine pain. In fact, a federal study by the Agency for Health Care Policy recommended that low back pain sufferers choose the most conservative care first. And it recommended spinal manipulation as the only safe and drugless form of treatment for acute low back problems in adults.
The biggest difference between all other forms of medical treatment and chiropractic care is this: A chiropractor is the only health care provider that specializes in spinal adjustments to correct vertebral misalignment. In a matter of a fraction of a second, a chiropractor can re-align vertebrae and restore spinal function; a procedure that can provide significant pain relief. Healing takes place very quickly when nerve function is improved.
Chiropractic care is the safest, most conservative and the most effective way to relieve lower back pain. My advice: If you are experiencing chronic lower back pain, try chiropractic care.
Dr. Craig Brue is an author, lecturer and chiropractic provider in SaddleBrooke, Arizona.