Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) treat more than just low back pain, even though many people associate chiropractors as low back pain specialists. The good news is this is true, and most chiropractors are proficient in helping people with low back pain. With the prevalence of low back pain in America (an estimated 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any give time!) it is a good idea to have a well trained chiropractor on your health team. At Synergy Chiropractic of Houston, our chiropractors are able to help individuals to find low back pain relief.

Interesting Facts About Back Pain

• Low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease (2010)
• Low back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work, and is estimated to be the second most common reason for patient visits to the doctors office. (The leading reason for doctor’s visits in America comes from upper respiratory infections.)
• Approximately one half of all working Americans report back pain symptoms each year.
• Americans spend at least $50 billion every year on back pain!
• Most low back pain complaints are structural (mechanical) rather than coming from organic (visceral) problems. This means that most low back pain is not caused by cancer, infection, fracture, or immune related arthritis, and can be treated with non-invasive, non-surgical conservative treatments.
• Some estimates believe that as many as 80% of Americans will experience some form of back pain in their life.

Causes Low Back Pain

The back consists of a variety of structures and tissues that can contribute to back pain. Bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles all work together for stability and function. Injury to these tissues can be the result of auto accidents, slips/falls, poor posture, work hazards, improper ergonomics, sports injuries, and a variety of other activities. Ligament sprains, muscle strains, herniated discs, and inflamed joints can all lead to low back pain. Additionally, chronic degenerative conditions and obesity can lead to arthritis, and accelerated degeneration throughout the low back. Occasionally, the internal organs can be the cause of pain that comes from a referred pattern. Examples of organ involvement with low back pain may include kidney stones, blood clots, cancer, etc.

Treatment of Low Back Pain

At Synergy Chiropractic of Houston our trained doctors are able to assess the cause of pain, and apply the appropriate treatment to the involved areas. A few of the non-surgical treatment options for low back pain include:

• Chiropractic manipulation (adjustments)
• Low Level Light Therapy (low level laser therapy, LLLT)
• Dry needling (acupuncture)
• Resistance exercises
• Customized rehabilitation programs
• Cupping
• Nutrition and weight loss programs

Prevent Low Back Pain with these Tips

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight
• Strengthen the muscles involved with posture
• Lift objects with your knees, instead of your low back
• Working with a chiropractor can help prevent low back pain
• Warm up and stretch before physical activity, even with daily activities
• Avoid prolonged inactivity, stay active!
• Quit smoking, it affects blood flow and the ability to carry nutrition and oxygen to spinal tissues

Synergy Chiropractic of Houston wants to be your resource for low back pain relief. You do not have to suffer in pain, and relief is in sight!