Lower Back Pain Chiropractic Care

Lower Back Pain - Treatment and Causes

Lower back pain affects the lumbar region of your spine and can result from a variety of causes, including muscle strains, herniated discs, arthritis, or spinal misalignments. These issues can be caused by factors like poor posture, injuries, age-related wear, and even stress.

Nearly everyone will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. While many cases improve with rest, physical therapy, or medication, some people experience chronic pain that requires specialized chiropractic care. As a back and spine specialist in Idaho Falls, we focus on identifying the root cause of your pain and providing a personalized treatment plan to restore proper alignment and function.

What are some of the common causes of lower back pain?

There are many structures in the lower back that can cause or contribute to lower back pain. Soft tissues, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones can all be at the root of the problem. Additionally, facet joints, discs, and nerves can be involved. All of these structures are connected or interwoven, so it’s very easy to experience lower back pain.

Lower back pain has many causes and some of them tend to be based on age. Younger patients most likely experience this condition due to muscle strain or soft tissue injury, whereas, older adults are likely to suffer from conditions such as osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, and compression fractures. That said, here are some of the most common reasons we see patients with lower back pain at Neighborhood Chiropractic:

Common Causes

• Muscle or ligament strains: Commonly seen in people who work in labor-intensive jobs. These people tend to twist and turn a lot and bend over to pick up items that have some weight to them or they find themselves in awkward positions at work (such as mechanics or construction workers) reaching or stretching in unnatural positions.
• Trauma Or Injuries: Lower back pain can be a result of a car accident, a work-related injury or any other type of accident. Lower back pain caused by an accident can be very serious or relatively minor.
• Pregnancy: Weight gain and changes in the pelvic cavity and back from being pregnant can be a cause of lower back pain. Check out our section on pre and post natal care. Chiropractic adjustments reduce inflammation and improve function, providing much-needed relief.
• Ergonomics: Many of us sit for extended periods of time at a desk, this could lead to a variety of different issues, including lower back pain. It’s important to apply proper ergonomics when sitting for extended periods.

Other Causes of Lower Back Pain

• Osteoporosis – bone loss
• Osteoarthritis – degeneration of bone and cartilage
• Fibromyalgia – widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness
• Ankylosing spondylitis – a form of spinal arthritis
• Spinal stenosis – a narrowing of the open spaces within the spine
• Nerve-related problems – other nerve problems such as sciatica can cause lower back pain

There are many other causes of lower back pain, however these are the most common types we treat at Neighborhood Chiropractic.

What are the Symptoms of Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain can present in a variety of ways. It may start out as a dull ache that changes with movement. Or it can come on as sudden sharp, searing, burning pain. Additionally, depending on the actual reason for the pain, you may experience pain, burning, and/or weakness in your hips, legs, or feet.

Lower back pain can manifest in many ways. Some common symptoms include:

• Sharp or dull pain in the lower back.
• Pain that radiates down to your buttocks or legs (sciatica).
• Muscle stiffness or difficulty moving.
• Trouble standing up straight or maintaining good posture.
• Muscle spasms in the lower back that may cause difficulty walking or moving.

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to seek a professional assessment. At Neighborhood Chiropractic, we will carefully evaluate your condition and recommend the most effective treatment.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

There are many treatment options available for lower back pain. One of the safest and most natural methods of treating your back pain is to have Chiropractic therapy. At Neighborhood Chiropractic, we offer our patients safe and effective treatment plans with high rates of success.

Let’s take a look at some of the treatments we offer:

Chiropractic Adjustments of the Lumbar Spine

A Chiropractic Adjustment/Manipulation is a technique where a high-velocity thrust is applied to the abnormal vertebra in your lower back. The goal is to improve the function of these vertebrae, which in turn will take pressure off the nerves, muscles, and ligaments.

Chiropractic Mobilization

This technique involves a low-velocity manipulation combined with stretching of the muscles and joints. This works to increase the range of motion to the muscles and joints of the lower back.

Improving Posture

If you work in a position where you are sitting a lot, you may not even be aware of negative changes in your posture. Try to pay attention to your posture, especially when your lower back pain is occurring. You’ll probably realize that you are slouching or slumping. Sitting and standing up straight will help to reduce back pain as the muscles return to their normal positions.

Exercise and Stretching

In combination with Chiropractic adjustments and mobilizations, at Neighborhood Chiropractic, we believe that regular exercise and stretching can help to maintain the benefits of the other treatments we offer. Exercises can be performed at home and include the following:

• Core strengthening exercises to improve the abdominal and lower back muscles
• Stabilization exercises to strengthen the secondary muscles of the spine, and improve range of motion
• Gluteus Maximus muscle exercises to help strengthen the lower back muscles
• Low impact aerobic exercise to help increase oxygen to the soft tissues of the lower back – walking and swimming are excellent ways to get this type of exercise.

Depending on the underlying reason for your back pain, and the severity of the pain, working with a physical therapist may also be necessary in tandem with your Chiropractic treatments.

Other Types of Treatment - At Home

There are several things besides exercises and stretching that you can do yourself at home to help improve your symptoms of lower back pain:

• Ice and Heat: Icing and heating your lower back can provide some relief. Ice works to reduce inflammation, and heat works to loosen tight muscles.
• Adequate Rest: Getting enough sleep, and giving your back time to rest is vitally important to your recovery from lower back pain. By laying down, you’re also taking the weight of your lower back.
• Over The Counter Medication: Although this would be a last resort as we prefer to take the natural approach to healing any sort of pain your body may have, in combination with hot and cold therapy, over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories may be helpful.

Medical Treatments

While in most cases, lower back pain can be resolved through a combination of lifestyle changes, postural changes, OTC medications, and natural therapies such as Chiropractic, there are times when medical intervention is necessary. Your doctor will want to perform some diagnostic tests to determine what is causing your lower back pain. Once the cause is determined, you may require one or more of the following types of treatment:

• Steroid injections
• Prescription pain killers and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
• Back braces
• Surgery

As with any medical procedure, these types of treatments carry certain risks. Consult with your primary care physician to discuss the risks vs. benefits.

Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Pain Relief?

Chiropractic care offers several advantages, especially for those seeking a natural, non-invasive approach. Instead of masking the pain with medications or resorting to surgery, chiropractic treatments focus on healing your body from the inside out. By restoring spinal alignment and addressing muscle imbalances, chiropractic care promotes long-term relief and better overall spine health.

As your local back and spine specialists in Idaho Falls, we take the time to understand your unique condition and tailor our treatments to meet your specific needs. Whether your pain is caused by injury, stress, or degenerative conditions, we are here to help you feel better and live pain-free.

Prevention and Long-Term Spine Health

While not all cases of lower back pain are preventable, there are several proactive steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing pain:

• Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts additional strain on your spine.
• Strengthen your core muscles: Exercises like Pilates or yoga help stabilize and support the spine.
• Practice proper lifting techniques: Always lift with your legs, not your back, and keep heavy items close to your body.
• Warm-up before physical activities: This helps prevent strain and injury.
• Maintain good posture: Pay attention to posture throughout the day to prevent discomfort and long-term problems.

Get Started with a Chiropractor in Idaho Falls

If you're dealing with lower back pain, don’t wait for it to worsen. As your dedicated chiropractor for lower back pain in Idaho Falls, we offer a variety of chiropractic treatments designed to provide relief and restore function. Whether you've experienced a recent injury or have chronic back pain, we are here to help you regain control of your health.

Contact us today to schedule your appointment with a trusted chiropractor for lower back pain and begin your journey toward lasting pain relief.