Ow! 5 Common Causes of Low Back Pain

Low back pain can stop you in your tracks, making even the smallest movements unbearable. When it sets in, you may not care where it comes from—you just want it gone! However, understanding the causes of low back pain can help you know how to treat it with a chiropractor. In some cases, you may even be able to avoid reinjuring yourself in the future too! Below are some of the most common sources that your chiropractor can treat.

Fractures

In a car accident or a fall, the vertebrae can become fractured and cause significant back pain. If you have arthritis or other conditions, the risk of injury increases. Unfortunately, these cracked bones can’t be put in a cast or splint, but your chiropractor can make sure that everything is properly aligned to allow the vertebrae to heal correctly.

Sprains and Strains

Often, a back injury doesn’t actually involve the nearby bones, but it does harm the soft tissues like ligaments, muscles, and tendons. One wrong move lifting something heavy could put excessive strain in one area, causing these soft tissues suddenly to be painful.

Disk Problems

In between your vertebrae, there are small pads called disks that protect the bones as well as the spinal cord from touching each other. However, these disks can bulge or slip out of place, putting pressure on the nerve and leading to stiffness and pain. Over time, these disks can degrade, offering less cushion and allowing the bones to grind painfully.

Spine Problems

Not everyone has a perfectly formed spine, leading to low back pain. From a young age, some develop scoliosis, which occurs when the spine is unnaturally curved to the left or right when looking at it from behind. This curvature can throw off the alignment of the disks and vertebrae leading to inflexibility and pain. In addition, spinal stenosis is a condition where the spine narrows toward the bottom, and it may not bear the weight and stress of the upper body. Usually, spinal stenosis gets worse with age as normal wear and tear takes a toll on the spine as well.

Arthritis

As in other areas, osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, can limit mobility in the spine. The inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the lower back as a result of arthritis can make everyday functions a challenge to say the least.

Regardless of the cause of your low back pain, your first call should be to your chiropractor. They can identify the source, create a treatment plan, and help you get relief without invasive measures. That way, you can get back to living your best life!

About the Author

With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Chad Wills has helped those who struggle with low back pain in the Naples area. Compared to other providers in the area, he is uniquely qualified to treat. In fact, he is one of only two chiropractors in Lee and Colier County who are certified in Chiropractic Biophysics. If you have low back pain and want to work with Dr. Wills, call Wills Chiropractic at 239-331-6060 or contact us online.