Alternative Back Pain Treatment
Acute and chronic back pain is a problem across the USA. So it’s no surprise, that a great number of Bristol CT residents, as well as those in neighboring New Britain, Plainville, Southington, and Burlington have back pain. The sad part is, that a majority of them are suffering with low back pain, without knowing that chiropractic care is an alternative back pain treatment that has been proven to help millions of people. Please read the following 
information to determine if chiropractic treatment for back pain is right for you.
Important Information About Back Pain
- 1 out of 2 working Americans admits to experiencing symptoms related to back pain each year.
- Experts estimate that as many as 80% of the population will experience a back issue at some time in our lives.
- Back pain is one of the most common reasons for absence at work.
- Americans spend a minimum of $50 billion each year on back pain.
- It’s the second most common reason for visits to doctor’s offices, following only upper respiratory infections.
- And, it is also the third most frequent reason for surgical procedures
Causes for Low Back Pain
Various factors may contribute to low back pain. Lumbar pain may be a symptom of underlying diseases and conditions such as arthritis, blood clots, kidneys stones, and obesity. Although these are common causes of back pain, the most common reason is misalignment of the spine or what chiropractors call a subluxation.
More specifically, a subluxation is the misalignment of one or more bones in the spine, causing pressure to be placed on nerves. Chiropractors undergo years of education and training to identify and remove subluxations. Once the pressure is taken away from the nerve, the spine can function properly. Chiropractic has been proven to help with low back pain.
More Low Back Pain Causes
There are many causes of lower back pain that can explain the discomfort you are experiencing. That’s why it’s imperative to see a qualified chiropractor to determine the exact cause of your lower back pain.
Here are a few common reasons you may be experiencing back pain in your upper or lower back. (Note: this is not a complete list of causes.)
- Herniated disc – herniated discs are the cause of many severe cases of lower back pain. The spinal discs are what provide cushion and a ligament connection between each vertebra in the spine. If these discs are put under certain strains while your body is in an awkward position (mostly flexed and twisted to one side while lifting) their integrity can become compromised and they may herniate, or bulge and can cause severe pain, with pain into your lower extremity. Some people call this a “slipped disc”.
- Sciatica – Sciatica is not exactly low back pain, but it is often associated with it. The sciatic nerve starts at your spinal column from L4-S3 and runs down through your hips and buttocks and then branches down your leg. It happens to be your body’s longest nerve and it is responsible for the feeling and movement in your legs. If that nerve becomes irritated or compressed, you will experience moderate to severe radiating pain starting in your lower back, down your leg (usually on one side) and sometimes to your foot. You may also experience numbness and weakness in these areas as well.
- Spinal stenosis – The spine is a column of bones that provide support for your upper body and protection to your spinal cord. If the interior of this column is narrowed, it can cause an issue with compression of the spinal cord, which can cause a host of neurological problems. You can also have stenosis at the intervertebral foramen (IVF) where the spinal nerve exits. This would cause a more localized problem along the innervation of that nerve (down the leg for example).
- Ankylosing spondylitis – This is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine. This condition causes inflammation of the vertebrae and it is responsible for chronic pain. The cause of this condition is currently unknown, but could be genetically linked.
- Obesity – One of the most common causes of low back pain includes obesity. The extra weight that is carried on our body impacts our bones and discs. If our back has to carry many extra pounds it can become weak and damaged. The strain on your back is can lead to chronic low back pain.
- Osteoporosis – This disease is also a cause of back pain. It is responsible for the loss of bone density, which can increase the incidence of bone fractures (specifically compression fractures of the vertebra) and stress on your back and other parts of your body. Fortifying the body with calcium and vitamin, as well as weight lifting is part of protecting your bones from further loss.
How Will You Respond to Chiropractic Care for Low Back Pain?
Each person’s case is different. Sometimes people have instant relief. Others actually experience the pains worsen before it improves. Sadly, there have been cases where patients are told that their condition will not improve. Just as an untreated cavity can spread to other teeth, subluxations that are not treated can cause other misalignments to develop. There are many things you can do to help your back pain without resorting to medication.
Read my tips on lifting to prevent back pain by clicking here.
Natural Treatment for Lower Back Pain
1 in 5 Americans deals with lower back pain. This type of pain can cause issues with everyday activities and keep you from enjoying all that life has to offer. Many individuals are treated with anti-inflammatory medication, opioids, and even steroid injections to help with the pain. These types of treatments can be very expensive and are only able to mask the pain, and not get to the root cause. The medications given can also cause numerous side effects and dependency that may cause more trouble than it’s worth. Going the natural route is always the best option.
Here are some tips to help with lower back pain naturally:
- Chill – Soothe your back with ice to reduce inflammation and pain. Ice helps reduce the pain, and because of less pain, your muscles will usually relax a bit.
- Movement – Keeping your body moving is a wonderful way to keep it in shape. It is also a great way to keep it stretched and limber. Aerobic exercise is the ultimate goal, but you may need to work up to this point by doing small tasks like walking around the block, folding laundry, and making beds. Take it easy to get your back into the swing of things. If you currently have back pain, do not exercise until you are examined by your chiropractor, because you may do more damage than good. When you’re one of our patients, we email you a detailed report on your condition, and it also includes stretching exercises specific to your problem.
- Build Muscle – Take the time to build up the support muscles of your lower back. Basically, you want to strengthen your core. If you belong to a gym, I suggest you get a personal trainer for a few times so that they can help you strengthen your core safely. Helping your core to increase in strength can take away some strain from your lower back¹. Working on back extensor muscles can help to increase lower back support as well.
- Change Positions – Take the time to get up and move positions. Some of our jobs cause us to stay in the same position and not move for extended periods of time. Take a 20 minute break
to change positions to avoid muscle strain in that position. Get up and walk or take a break and take a seat if you are standing for long periods of time. - Watch your Weight – Take care of yourself and your body. Make sure to watch your weight and eat a balanced diet. Exercise and watching your caloric intake is a great way to keep yourself healthy and take the extra weight and pressure off of your lower back.
- Topical Analgesic – There are also a few products that can be used to soothe irritated muscles, or muscles that are in spasm. There are several topical analgesics that we use in our office to provide soothing relief of tense muscles in conjunction with spinal manipulation. One of the natural topical analgesics we use is called Relief Already. We also recommend Relax Already, a natural muscle relaxant that can help tight back muscles.
Is OTC Medication the Answer?
No, of course not. Unfortunately, many people reach for over-the-counter (OTC) medications to deal with the pain they are feeling on a daily basis. This only masks the problem that is occurring in your body and there are more effective methods that can help you treat your lower back pain.
Dr Astrid Baldrich – Help for Low Back Pain
Acute or chronic lower back pain is necessary to resolve as you consider how it impacts your daily life. Finding the right chiropractor is also necessary for proper treatment. One doctor you can trust is Dr. Astrid Baldrich, an experienced chiropractor in Bristol, Connecticut, who has been working with, and learning from Dr David Spitz who’s been in practice since 1982. Dr Baldrich is currently the clinic director of the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol in Bristol Connecticut. She uses a whole-body approach to heal the back and neck pain that you may be experiencing. Meet him for a consultation and see what customized plan he can use to heal your back pain and lessen the pain you are experiencing.
At the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol, we offer alternative back pain treatment to the pain medications ³ and even surgery that may often do more harm than good. If, however, we determine that you need medication or surgery, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist, or if needed, we will refer you for X-rays, MRI’s, and any other services needed to determine the cause of your problem or help alleviate the condition.
Please feel free to contact our office at the Chiropractic Health Center of Bristol. One of our trained staff members will be happy to assist you with questions you may have.
To make an appointment, call now at 860-583-4346 (if no one answers, leave a detailed message we will call you back ASAP) or fill in the information form below. In most cases we can see you the same day you call.
² Spinal Manipulation for Low-Back Pain – National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
³ The Dangers of Percocet Use and Overdose- American Addiction Centers
