Back pain is an unfortunately common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors. Some of the most common causes of back pain include poor posture, muscle strain, and injuries. chiropractor, There are many different types of back pain, and each can have its own set of symptoms and causes.
One of the most common types of back pain is known as acute back pain. This is usually the result of a sudden injury or strain and typically goes away within a few days or weeks. However, some people may experience chronic acute back pain, which lasts for months or even years. Another common type of back pain is known as chronic back pain. This type of pain is often the result of an underlying condition, such as arthritis or a herniated disc. Chronic back pain can vary in intensity and may come and go over time.
If you are experiencing back pain, it is important to see a chiropractor or other healthcare provider to determine the cause. With the proper treatment, most people can find relief from their back pain and get on with their lives.
What Causes Back Pain?
It’s no wonder that back pain is one of the most common health complaints – it can be caused by a variety of things, from poor posture to herniated discs. Back pain is a common issue that can have a number of different causes. In some cases, it may be due to an underlying health condition, such as arthritis or degenerative disc disease. Other times, it may be the result of an injury or strain.
Many injuries, conditions, and diseases can cause lower back pain. They include:
- Strains and sprains:
The most common cause of back pain is a strain or sprain. You can injure muscles, tendons, and ligaments by lifting something too heavy or not lifting safely if you have been doing these activities for an extended period without taking time off to rest up properly.
A sprain occurs when muscles stretch beyond their normal range during physical activity or stressful situations such as sports-related puncture wounds by sharp objects resulting from biking accidents where one might fall onto pavement causing significant tearing along with bruises under skin surfaces.
- Fractures:
The bones in your spine can break during an accident, like a car crash or fall. Conditions such as spondylosis and osteoporosis increase the risk of fractures because they make it easier for calcium to enter into these areas where there are no chips on any plates.
- Disk problems:
Disks are cushioning the spinal bones. The disks can bulge from their position and press on a nerve, or they might tear (herniate). With age comes changes in disk shape that offer less protection against injury-degenerative disease will eventually take over if left unchecked.
- Structural problems:
The spine is a series of disks that protectively cushion and support the brain. These same discs can become too narrow for their respective centers, causing pinching or pressing against nerves leading to severe pain in various parts such as lower back muscles ( sciatic), and sharp shooting pains down one side if you have scoliosis which often leads people into awkward positions.
- Arthritis:
Osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are the most common types of arthritis to cause lower back pain. Back issues caused by these two conditions include inflammation, and stiffness in your spine (secondary effects).
- Disease:
Due to the endless number of possible causes for back pain, it can be hard not knowing what’s causing your discomfort. Some common include kidney stones and abdominal aortic aneurysms but there are many more serious conditions that may lead you down this road as well such as spine tumors or infections.
- Spondylolisthesis:
The vertebrae in the spine can become misaligned and cause low back pain, which may also radiate down your leg. It leads to the slipping of these discs between one another leading to painful symptoms such as chronic sciatica nerve damage or even spinal cord compression.
5 Types of Back Pain in Dubuque
1. Flexion Dominant Back Pain
Back pain is a very common affliction that can have a significant impact on one’s quality of life. There are many different causes of back pain, but one of the most common is flexion-dominant back pain.
- Symptoms are made worse by sitting, bending, lifting
- Symptoms improve after standing and walking for short durations
- May include spine pain, leg pain or both
- May experience tingling/numbness
- Can progress to leg weakness
- Often has pain with cough/sneeze (but not always)
- Loss of range of motion (difficulty straightening up after rising from sitting)
Treatment for flexion-dominant back pain often includes a combination of stretching, strengthening, and massage. In severe cases, injections or surgery may be necessary. However, most people with this type of back pain can find relief with conservative treatment methods.
2. Extension Dominant Back Pain
There are many different causes of back pain, but one of the most common is Extension Dominant Back Pain (EDBP). EDBP is caused by a combination of factors, including poor posture, weak back muscles, and tight hamstrings. One of the best ways to treat EDBP is to stretch the hamstrings and strengthen the back muscles.
Signs and Symptoms
- Pain after standing for long periods
- Temporary relief from sitting or bending
- Range of motion is typically stable and does not change in short periods of time.
- The back may be stiff, but it is always stiff in the same way
- Pain after high-impact activities (running or gymnastics movements)
- Usually includes localized spinal pain
- May include leg pain, tingling, or even numbness in severe cases
In addition, it is important to maintain good posture and avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. If you are suffering from back pain, talk to your doctor about a treatment plan that may be right for you.
3. Neurogenic Claudication
Neurogenic Claudication is a condition characterized by back pain that is caused by compression of the nerves in the spine. The compression of the nerves can be due to a variety of reasons, including herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis.
Signs and Symptoms
- Typically no symptoms when sitting
- Upon rising and walking: pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs begins after a predictable amount of time (length of time depends upon severity)
- Many of these patients have no local spine pain
- After symptoms begin, the patient must sit or bend forward to reduce symptoms
- Some patients are seen leaning over a shopping cart, for example, so they can walk without leg symptoms
4. Inflammatory Back Pain
Neurogenic Claudication is a condition that results in pain and cramping in the legs due to compression of the nerves in the lower spine. The condition is often caused by degenerative changes in the spine, such as herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
In some cases, chiropractic care can help to alleviate the symptoms of Neurogenic Claudication. A chiropractor can perform adjustments to the spine that may help to relieve pressure on the nerves and improve circulation.
Signs and Symptoms
- The onset of pain is usually in patients under 35 years of age, and not due to trauma
- Pain persists for more than three months
- The back pain and stiffness worsen with immobility, especially at night and in the early morning
- The back pain and stiffness tend to ease with physical activity and gentle exercise
5. Chronic Pain Disorders
Chronic pain disorders are a type of condition that causes pain to persist for long periods of time. These disorders can be caused by a variety of factors, including injuries, diseases, and nerve damage. Chronic pain disorders can interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, and participate in activities they enjoy.
Signs and Symptoms
- Vary widely
- Pain does not follow typical anatomic boundaries
- The location of pain may migrate to include other parts of the body
- Pain can be made worse by a state of anxiety or depression
- Increases and decreases in pain are not necessarily linked to mechanical trauma or physically stressful events
What are the Risk Factors of Back Pain?
Back pain is a common problem that affects people of all ages. While back pain can be caused by a number of factors, there are some risk factors that are more commonly associated with the condition. Age is one of the most significant risk factors for back pain, with the condition becoming more prevalent as we get older. This is often due to the wear and tear that our bodies experience over time.
Other risk factors may include:
- occupational activities
- pregnancy
- poor physical fitness
- a sedentary lifestyle
- obesity or excess weight
- smoking
- strenuous physical exercise or work
- genetic factors
- medical conditions, such as arthritis and cancer
Chiropractic Care for Back Pain in Dubuque
Back pain is a common problem, with one in four people experiencing it at some point in their lives. Chiropractic care in Dubuque is an effective treatment for back pain and can help to improve function and reduce pain. At Tri-States Chiropractic Health and Injury Care in Dubuque experts use a variety of techniques to treat back pain, including spinal manipulation, massage, and exercise therapy.
If you are looking for an alternative to traditional medicine, chiropractic care in Dubuque may be the right choice for you. Book an appointment today or call us at (563) 278-6734.
