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Lower Back Pain
Approximately 80% of people will suffer back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, thirty-one million Americans are suffering back pain at any given time. And while there are all kinds of pills, creams and patches that help reduce pain, they don’t offer any sort of long-term solution. And if you want to be active - or even just sleep better - that's exactly what you need.
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The first, and arguably most important, step in finding that solution is determining the cause of your back pain. Once we know the cause, we can formulate a plan together and start the recovery process. Getting relief from back pain may be easier than you think. Schedule an appointment and let's talk.
So, What Causes Back Pain?
The most common cause of back pain I see in my practice is from overuse, or 'wear and tear'. This occurs when the joints, muscles, and other soft tissues around your spine are placed under repetitive stress, day after day, after day. For most people, those sources of stress include poor posture, computer use, physical labor, or sitting/standing for long periods of time, like for school or work. Playing sports, working out and exerce can generate even more stress on your body.
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Over months or years, that stress adds up. Some people experience gradual onset of pain or stiffness, but for others it can come on in a hurry. One minute you’re feeling fine, and the next you move the wrong way and boom! you’re in pain from a pinched nerve. Or maybe you wake up one morning and can hardly get out of bed. And all you did was sleep! This is your back telling you it’s had enough, and now it's time for you to do something about it.
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If that's why you're here, I may be able to help.
Symptoms Related To Back Pain
If you have back pain, your symptoms can vary greatly day to day, or even minute to minute. You may have sharp or catching pain that makes dressing, or putting on shoes feel like pure torture. You may have pain in your buttocks, or even over your hip sockets when lying on your side. If your sciatic nerve is irritated you may feel pain, tingling or numbness in your legs or even your feet, something called sciatica. Even mild pain, if it goes on long enough, can wear you down.
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Getting any sort of meaningful relief from your back pain depends on a number of factors. Most important is determining the specific area of your back (joints, muscles, nerves, etc.) that's involved. It sounds straight forward, but different areas of your back can create nearly identical symptoms. Knowing the problem makes it much easier to formulate a plan of action, to relieve pain, improve function and get you where you want to be. But don’t ignore your symptoms for too long. Small problems can become big ones in a hurry.
Back Pain Treatment That Works
Most cases of back pain involve not only the joints, but the muscles and soft tissues as well. Whether you play professional sports, or sit at a desk all day, it's rarely just one or the other. So if you want your treatment to be effective, you need to address problems with the joints and soft tissues. If you don't, it's unlikely you'll get the results you're looking for.
Chiropractic care is an effective technique for returning normal motion to the joints of your spine and extremities. Joints that move properly feel better, last longer and cause less problems. Therapies like Active Release, and Graston Technique can provide quick relief of pain in your muscles and soft tissues. Together, these treatment techniques can help loosen sore muscles, return blood flow, and help break up scar tissue. And that means less muscle and soft tissue pain, and less chance of injury.
Ready To Feel Better?
If back pain is creeping into your daily routine, don’t ignore the warning signs. Lower back pain can turn into sciatica, disc pain or a pinched nerve if left untreated. That means a longer recovery time, more pain, and more time away from the things you enjoy doing.
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Dr. McGahey can help get to the source of your pain, and create a treatment plan to help eliminate it as quickly as possible. What are you waiting for? Schedule an appointment today and start your journey to better health.