By George Lujax


Nearly 80 percent of the American population suffers from lower back pain at some time during the course of their lives. Pain can manifest in all areas but lower back pain is common. Discomfort of the lower back is a sign that something is wrong. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to make a definitive correlation to the physical source of the pain when X-ray, MRI's and other tests do not reveal spinal abnormalities. Chiropractic treatment is often used to address pain in this area.

For non-specific pain in the lower back, the Royal College of General Practitioners recommend manipulation such as treatments provided in chiropractic care before drug therapy or more invasive treatment such as back surgery. This recommendation, published in the February 2013 issue of Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, indicates the importance of chiropractors in low back treatment.

Pain confined to this area frequently indicates an issue with the entire spine. Chiropractors are healthcare practitioners who perform spinal manipulations that involve" adjusting" the vertebrae by various means. This helps to restore mobility and align the spine. Though many people see a chiropractor only when they are in pain, preventative care can help to maintain good physical health. Chiropractic adjustments are safe over the long-term and are cost-effective because of the elimination of the need for surgery.

Emotional stress is a cause of much pain occurring in the lower back. Suppressed emotional issues can make the body tense, a situation that eventually deprives muscles and nerves of necessary oxygen. Doctors of Chiropractic help their patients understand the link between back pain and stress. They provide recommendations for handling negative emotions constructively so patients can reduce flare-ups of pain in the low back.

The lower back must be able to flex, rotate bend sideways and extend. Unfortunately, too many of us remain immobile for long parts of our day due to our occupations. Taking regular walks and doing gentle morning stretching may help reduce pain in the lower back. Using cold/ice packs, instead of heat, can also be helpful. This initial self-treatment can make pain more tolerable until a chiropractor can be seen for more comprehensive treatment. Within 72 hours of self-care, the lower back pain may subside a bit but professional chiropractic treatment is recommended for more thorough and longer-lasting relief.

Research regarding chiropractic care for low back pain is favorable. Increasing mobility as soon as possible and attempting to prevent the pain from returning are the best conservative approaches. Pain in the low back should not be neglected or it could lead to more serious problems that require risky and expensive invasive treatments.




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