As one of the most common ailments in modern society, back pain is believed to affect up to 80% of people at some point in their lives. Our St. Louis chiropractors are back pain specialists offering effective diagnosis and treatment of back pain and related conditions.
The spine is a complex structure of bones and joints surrounded by tissues, ligaments, muscles, and spinal nerves. Any disorder or injury affecting these bones or soft tissues can result in back pain. Generally speaking, the causes of back pain can be categorized into issues related to mechanical disorders (how you move), injuries, acquired conditions or diseases, and more rarely, tumors and infections.
Here are some of the most common types of back pain we treat in our St. Louis office:
One of the most common causes of back pain is muscle strain caused by poor posture, bending, twisting, or heavy lifting. The tendons and ligaments surrounding the spine may be stretched, torn, or damaged after a fall, work injury, car accident, sports injury, or other traumatic event. Tissue injury may also develop over time due to repetitive motions such as standing or sitting all day at work or operating a vibrating vehicle. These tissue injuries spark the release of inflammatory chemicals in the body causing pain, inflammation, and swelling.
The vertebrae in the spine are separated by tough cushions called intervertebral discs. Each disc is made up of a soft, jelly-like substance which is surrounded by a harder exterior. Also called "bulging discs" or "ruptured discs", herniated discs often occur when the interior of the disc begins to protrude outside the exterior. This places pressure on the surrounding spinal nerves causing pain, tingling and numbness along the neural pathway. Disc herniation is also commonly caused by endplate junction failure, when the connective tissue between the discs and spinal bone separate. Lumbar disc herniation is an extremely common cause of lower back pain and sciatica, especially after a car accident or work injury.
Aging causes the spinal discs to lose their water content and collapse. As the cartilage wears down, the bones may begin rubbing on one another, causing pain. In patients with osteoarthritis, the body may also react to cartilage degeneration by developing bone spurs (overgrowths of bone) that can impinge spinal nerves, leading to lower back pain and sciatica.
We also treat back pain caused by a number of health conditions that can lead to back pain, including:
Our St. Louis chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system. This makes them well-equipped to deliver effective relief of back pain through non-invasive procedures such as chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, and acupuncture. Studies show that chiropractic care is a safe, effective treatment for back pain. Chiropractic adjustments can correct any spinal misalignments, relieve pressure on pinched nerves, promote blood flow to the affected area, and initiate the release of anti-inflammatory chemicals to reduce inflammation. Our chiropractors will also use exercise and physical therapy to strengthen your back muscles and improve mobility.
Time and time again, this unique treatment approach has helped thousands of patients in St. Louis find relief from back pain. Call Accident & Pain Relief of St. Louis at (314) 588-9100 to schedule an appointment today.
