About Lower Back Pain
Up to 80% of all people will suffer from low back pain at some point in their life. Low back pain is so common in the United States that it is the #1 cause of disability. It is our sedentary lifestyle, sitting for extended periods whether for work or leisure, that deteriorates our core strength and leads to low back pain. Low back pain in East Greenwich RI may be common, but it is not normal. That is why it’s so important to treat low back pain immediately because it is a sign that more serious dysfunction is at play.
There are two kinds of low back pain – acute and chronic. Acute low back pain happens with a sudden onset, something you might feel the next day or even right away, and is usually the result of physical activity like lifting a box, doing laundry, or picking up your kids. It’s important to address acute low back pain immediately because it is a sign of sudden stress and damage in the anatomy of the low back or spine that can lead to a host of issues down the road. Many patients will hurt their low back and report that it never felt the same after that initial injury. That’s because they left the issue unaddressed for so long and it turned into a chronic condition. Chronic low back pain lasts anywhere longer than two to three months and is continuously a part of your life. Not only does chronic pain take up mental real estate clouding cognitive abilities and leading to frustration and despair, but it often gets worse over time.
There are a lot of important structures in the spine that can contribute to low back pain. Our muscles create motion in the spine and when you hurt your low back it is often the result of a muscle strain or muscle pull where the muscle has overstretched and is now inflamed and painful. Ligaments work with the muscles. They are the little fibers that hold the spine together, almost like the strings of a puppet. While the muscles move the strings to create motion, the ligaments stabilize the spine. Damage to the ligaments will create instability which increases the likelihood of injury. Another important piece of anatomy in the low back is the joints. The joints are where the bones meet and their health dictates the spine’s range of motion, its stability, and how well it’s functioning. The joints also sense pain, making problems in the joints of the spine a major cause of low back pain. Spinal discs are the cushion in between the spinal bones. They provide resistance to compression and make room for your spinal nerves to communicate signals between your brain and your body. The disc is also one of the most pain-sensitive parts of spinal anatomy. The sinuvertebral nerve is so pain-sensitive that when it is injured, by a disc bulge or herniation, the pain has been compared to giving birth.
$39 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, Exam, Doctors Report of Findings, X-Rays (if necessary)
How Our Care Plan Works
1. Better
Initially, our number one priority is less pain, improved range of motion and better sleep. This is the active phase of the plan where we significantly tackle the acute phase of the injury to get you feeling your absolute best as quickly as possible.
2. Stronger
In the corrective phase, we work not only improve how you feel, but how you function. In this phase, we avoid taking two steps forward and ten steps back by focusing on structural correction. We want you to get back to doing the things that you love without re-injury. At GBC, we are foot on the gas!
3. Healthier
It doesn’t make sense to get you better, just for it to all go bad again! We want you feeling and functioning your best for years to come. This phase ensures that you maintain all of the amazing progress you have made.
How We Treat Lower Back Pain In East Greenwich, RI
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
We’ll start where we always start with new patients, a comprehensive consultation and exam. The only way to do a thorough consultation is to really listen to you to understand your concerns and frustrations so that we’re able to address each and every one. We want to know what symptoms you’re feeling, what makes it better and what makes it worse.
Then, we’ll do chiropractic, functional, orthopedic, and neurological exams to physically test the body and the different anatomy of the spine. These tests help us determine the source of the problem so we can address the underlying issue and not just the symptoms. Getting to the root cause of the problem is paramount so that even if you’re feeling pain in the legs or arms we understand that is just a symptom of the main problem in your lower back.
Specific Chiropractic Care in East Greenwich, RI
Chiropractors are specifically trained to address subluxations. Subluxations are misalignments in the spine that place pressure on the nerves and interfere with the normal communication of those nerve signals. This interference results in pain and dysfunction throughout the body, including muscle tension or weakness.
By addressing these misalignments, correcting them and taking pressure off the nerves, we allow your spine to function properly. We know that proper function and structure in your spine are what make the difference when it comes to the pain you’re experiencing. It also prevents the Low Back Groundhog Day, where problems return again and again.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
An exercise plan that is tailored to your specific condition and needs will help strengthen and stabilize healthy spinal structure and address muscle weakness and imbalance. The best part about the exercise plans at Greenwich Bay Chiropractic is they are done through an online portal with video tutorials so you’ll never be lost or confused. This at-home exercise plan will bolster the work we’re doing in the office so that the corrections to your misalignments, those subluxations in your spine, can hold for a longer period of time, giving you more time to heal and get on top of your symptoms.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression is a vital low back pain treatment. This procedure is frequently used to address herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis. Disc injuries put pressure on the adjacent nerves. By decompressing the spine, we can relieve pressure on the discs, relieve nerve irritation, and give the discs a chance to rehydrate and heal.
Deep Tissue Laser
Deep tissue laser is a non-invasive treatment that uses laser energy to speed up healing and reduce inflammation in the deep tissue layers of the body. We sometimes use this method to treat lower back pain and other musculoskeletal problems like arthritis, tendinitis, and plantar fasciitis.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain in East Greenwich, RI
Bulged Lumbar Discs
When a bulging lumbar disc presses on spinal nerves, it can cause lower back pain. The lower back discs (lumbar spine) have a soft, spongy center and a harder, fibrous outer layer. A bulging disc indicates the soft center has pushed through a crack or tear in the outer layer. It can cause the disc to press against adjacent nerves, resulting in lower back pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness, even in the legs.
Herniated Lumbar Discs
When a bulged disc tears completely and the soft center herniates, it puts pressure on the nerves in the lower back, which can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in the lower back and legs. The severity of the pain can vary, depending on the size and location of the herniated disc and the amount of pressure it puts on the nerves.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is when the discs in the spine begin to degenerate and break down. The discs have a soft, gel-like interior encircled by a fibrous outer covering. They provide cushion between the spine’s bones, allowing the spine to move and bend while providing support. When the discs are damaged or degrade, they can no longer provide appropriate cushioning and support, resulting in lower back pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal, which houses the spinal cord and nerve roots. This constriction can pressure the spinal cord and nerve roots, causing pain and other symptoms.
Muscle Strain
When the lower back muscles are stressed, they can become inflamed and sore. Depending on the intensity of the strain, this can result in mild to severe lower back pain. The discomfort could be acute and restricted to the damaged muscle or more diffuse and spread across the lower back.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)
The SI joint connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the base of the spine) to the iliac bones (hip bone). SI joint dysfunction can cause low back pain by transmitting tension between the upper and lower extremities. Inflammation, muscle imbalances, and anatomical abnormalities cause SI joint dysfunction.
Facet Joint Dysfunction
Facet joint dysfunction occurs when the facet joints, which are tiny joints positioned between the vertebrae in the spine, become inflamed or injured. It can result in several lower back issues, such as pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Subluxation
A misalignment or partial dislocation of a vertebra in the spine is referred to as a subluxation. This misalignment interrupts normal nerve flow and alters proper spinal structure. Interrupted nerve flow scrambles the messages transmitted between the brain and body, causing joint, muscle, and organ dysfunction.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Should I Be Worried About Lower Back Pain?
Low back discomfort is your body’s warning system that something is amiss. Pain is usually the last thing to occur and the first thing to leave; therefore, we want to deal with it as soon as it appears to avoid becoming a chronic condition.
What Can I Do to Relieve My Lower Back Pain?
Chiropractic care, spinal adjustments, strengthening and stabilizing exercises, spinal decompression, and deep tissue laser are some of the best ways to reduce pain and correct the underlying problem to prevent relapse. The best thing to do is contact us so we can assess the source of your pain and provide more precise treatment choices.
How Do I Know if My Back Pain Is Serious?
All pain deserves to be assessed by a medical provider. However, some general guidelines might help you assess whether your back pain is serious:
- Pain has lasted more than a few days
- Standing or walking difficulties
- Difficulties urinating or passing stools
- Numbness, tingling, or radiating pain in the legs
- Pain that worsens when you lie down
- A high fever, nausea, or vomiting in addition to pain
- Unanticipated weight loss
- A cancer history
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Some of the most common causes of lower back pain include muscular strains or sprains, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, facet joint dysfunction, and degenerative disc disease, among many others. It is always a good idea to consult a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
How Should I Sleep With Lower Back Pain?
You can try the following at-home remedies to help relieve lower back pain while sleeping:
- Use a supportive mattress: A firm mattress can help relieve lower back pain.
- Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can help keep your spine in a neutral position and reduce strain on your lower back.
- Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees can also help relieve pressure on your lower back.
- Avoid sleeping on your stomach as it strains your lower back and may aggravate your pain.
- Stretching your back and hips before bed will help release tight muscles and improve your sleep posture.
How Do I Tell if Lower Back Pain Is Muscle or Disc-Related?
With a thorough examination and diagnostic procedures, we can determine the exact cause of your low back pain and design an effective treatment plan.
Lower back pain caused by muscle feels achy and sore and can be improved with movement, ice and heat, or massage. Lower back pain caused by a disc will feel sharp and stabbing and be made worse by movement.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Lower Back Pain?
Yes! We are experts in detecting and treating neuromuscular problems, particularly spinal manipulation and adjustment. Our natural, holistic approach to optimizing the nervous system allows the body to heal faster and function better.
$39 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation, Exam, Doctors Report of Findings, X-Rays (if necessary)
