Everyday millions of men and women are waking up, experiencing pain, and attempting to make it through the day. Statistics show that over 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

That is a startling number which means back pain is at epidemic levels! Low back pain is currently one of the most challenging health conditions for primary care physicians. I work closely with many Canton area medical doctors to treat patients suffering from low back pain.

Unchecked long term pain syndromes can lead to arthritic changes of the joints, dysfunctional biomechanics, and a host of other problems which could even include depression. Keep reading to learn some facts about back pain!

Sciatica can result from a bulging disc and cause pain to travel from the back down the leg.

Leg and Buttock Pain can be a Sign of a Low Back Problem
The bones (vertebrae) of your spine serve as protection for your spinal cord. Between each vertebra is a disc that allows motion and provides cushioning. Towards the back of the vertebrae is an arch that provides space for a nerve to branch off from the spinal cord and exit the spine. The nerves that exit the spine in the low back (lumbar spine) travel down the buttocks, thighs, legs, and all the way into the foot and toes. In some instances, injured tissue in the low back can affect these nerves and cause pain that seems to be coming from where the nerve ends (foot, calf, thigh, etc). While many people are familiar with sciatic pain or herniated discs; often pain in the knee, groin, foot, calf, and thigh can be traced back to the spine. This is why a detailed history and thorough examination are essential in determining the exact cause of your pain. By pinpointing the exact cause, your chiropractor is able to make a determination regarding the best treatment to reduce your pain and increase your function!

2. Less than 2% of Low Back Pain Requires Surgery

Conservative physical therapy for low back pain.

Most surgeons will recommend conservative care prior to surgery because of the risks and complications associated with spine surgery. Only a small subset of patients who have back pain will require surgical intervention. Even patients with severe pain will often recover with conservative care, including chiropractic and physical therapy. A very small percentage of people do require immediate surgical intervention, which is why it is important to be evaluated by a qualified health professional if you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or numbness and tingling.

3. Bed Rest is the Worst Thing to do for Back Pain

Long gone are the days of bed rest for back pain. As a matter of fact, bed rest is one of the worst things you can do when suffering from back pain. Even patients who have back surgery are encouraged to start moving as soon as possible. Nutrition and blood flow to the discs of the spine (and the very small nerves around the vertebrae) are accomplished by movement. The limited mobility of the spine during bed rest inhibits this important process. When our discs do not have adequate motion, the nutrients needed for healing are not delivered, and our recovery can take longer. If we are not moving the spine, then the ability for the spine to rehabilitate and heal is hindered. This is also why chiropractic care can be so essential to facilitating the healing of spine conditions. Chiropractors are trained to assist you in restoring proper motion to the spine. This has the potential to speed up the healing process, getting you active, and feeling good as quickly as possible!

4. Conservative Treatment is Recommended

Chiropractor determining the cause of low back pain through a physical exam.

The American Medical Association recommends conservative care as the primary measure to recover from back pain. Additionally, as we highlighted earlier, most spinal surgeons recommend conservative care as the first option for back pain. Research has proven that most back pain can be resolved without surgery. Conservative care, such as chiropractic, has much lower risks than injections and surgery and should be attempted first in most situations.

5. Chiropractic Care is Deemed Safe and Effective

Chiropractic care is considered an effective treatment for acute and chronic back pain. Research has also shown chiropractic to be helpful in treating low back pain, headaches, sciatica, neck pain, and a variety of other musculoskeletal conditions. All treatment is based on an accurate diagnosis of your back pain. Your chiropractor will look at your medical history, including ongoing medical conditions, current medications, traumatic/surgical history, and lifestyle factors.