If you suffer from back pain you are definitely not alone. According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is one of the most common reasons for missing work and the second most common reason for visiting a doctor.
But why is back pain so common among so many Americans?
Back pain is usually the result of one of three things:
An Injury
There are many different ways we can injure our backs. Some people hurt themselves by lifting heavy objects or somehow overexerting themselves. This can cause the muscles and ligaments in the back to become damaged.
Back injuries can also occur from falls and car or bike accidents. Back pain from these types of injuries is considered acute pain, meaning it comes on suddenly. Usually, anti-inflammatory drugs will be used to treat pain and swelling, and a period of rest to help the injury heal.
Chiropractic care can also help people with acute pain. For instance, a spinal adjustment can help relax muscles that have become tense and twisted.
A Medical Condition or Illness
There are a handful of illnesses that can cause back pain. Scoliosis, osteoarthritis, and fibromyalgia are some of the most common conditions known for causing back pain. This type of back pain is considered chronic back pain because it lasts for longer periods of time.
Because people with chronic back pain suffer from it for long periods of time, they are usually open to looking for options outside of traditional medicine. Chiropractic care not only offers relief from pain but also spinal adjustments can promote healing in all areas of a person’s body.
Poor Lifestyle Choices
All of our daily decisions can impact our health, either positively or negatively. Whether or not we are overweight, exercise or smoke can all result in health issues that may cause back pain.
While chiropractic care cannot instantly cause someone to make better choices, it can relieve back pain and, in doing so, the patient often has a desire to make better choices so they may continue to live pain-free.
There’s no denying that back pain diminishes a person’s quality of life. Luckily there are ways to treat the underlying cause of the pain. Chiropractic care by itself or in conjunction with other treatments is one of the best options available today.
Please be in touch if you’d like to schedule a consultation.
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