December 19, 2024
Here’s What Causes Low Back Pain… and It’s Not What You Think
Bottom Line:
Yes, it’s true.
Low back pain is something that a majority of us - well over 80% of the world’s population - will deal with at some point in our lives.
It’s also true that a majority of this community have considered seeking low back pain treatment in St Charles.
But, what causes low back pain exactly?
Most of us mistakenly think that any back pain we experience must be attributed to a single incident.
The time you picked up a box that was just a little bit too heavy.
The time you were hit square in the back with a baseball.
The time your best friend’s son decided to try The Rock’s (aka Dwane Johnson’s) infamous “People’s Elbow” on you while you were crouched down on the floor just trying to pick up some important papers (true story).
The truth is that it’s usually not just one incident contributing to your ongoing low back pain.
Let’s take a closer look at the low back and what you can do to turn the dial down on your nagging low back pain.
Why it Matters:
First, some fundamental anatomy.
Your low back is made up of 5 bones you’ll hear us refer to as the lumbar vertebrae, each with spinal discs in between them.
These bones protect your spinal cord which travels down through your spinal column and branches out to the left and right side in between each vertebrae.
Supporting the incredible structure that is your spine is a variety of ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Knowing that, the “real” cause of your back pain is probably becoming clearer.
What Causes Low Back Pain
As it turns out, low back pain often occurs because the stress on a particular area of your spine has outweighed your body's ability to adapt to and handle that stress.
And, of course, if the stress on any one area of the spine becomes too great, then an injury may occur.
When it comes specifically to what causes low back pain, the most common low back pain related injuries are sprains and strains, spinal disc bulges and herniations, and facet joint issues (misalignments, adhesions, etc).
The good news is that, in most cases, these injuries can heal pretty quickly with the right care.
We’ve helped many people seeking low back pain treatment in St Charles just like you find natural relief from their low back pain right here in our practice.
To put that all together…
- Abnormal motion of the spinal joints and other structures in your low back can cause and contribute to ongoing low back pain.
- A double-blinded, randomized controlled trial found spinal adjustments to be more effective than NSAIDs for the care of low back pain.
- Research also strongly suggests that ongoing periodic chiropractic visits may prevent future episodes of low back pain.
Next Steps:
So, what can you do to relieve your low back pain?
What we’ve seen in our practice as far as what causes low back pain and how it should be treated aligns with what researchers have found.
The best way to reduce your risk of experiencing low back pain is to be proactive with your spinal health.
Daily movement, dynamic stretching, regular exercise, and ongoing periodic chiropractic adjustments are all examples of simple steps you can take to help keep your low back in tip-top shape.
And whether it’s been some time since your last adjustment, you’re finally ready for your first, or you’re looking for advice on the exercises and stretches that make the most sense for you, know that we’re here to help.
We provide naturally-based low back pain treatment in St Charles and more, and we’re here for you.
Just give us a call!
Science Sources:
Spinal Manipulation Therapy for Low Back Pain. Spine. 2011.
Spinal Manipulation Therapy and Placebo. Spine. 2013.
