What is Back Pain?
Your back can hurt for different reasons, ranging from infection to something very serious so it is important to get help from a healthcare provider trained in the proper diagnosis of back pain.
However, back pain is commonly mechanical or musculoskeletal, meaning its the result of some form of irregularity in your spine and/or the associated muscles, ligaments and tendons, and nerves, causing pain. With 33 vertebrae in your spine and 23 discs in the neck, middle back, and lower back, acting as cushions and stabilizers, it’s unfortunately common to experience some form of displaced or herniated disc material, in your lifetime.
The vertebrae in your spine are responsible for the vast majority of your body’s motion – meaning that damage or dysfunction to one can have a huge impact on your day-to-day life. Thankfully though, outside of complete paralysis, most back injuries can be treated. Keep reading to find out more.
What Are The Symptoms of Back Pain?
Your symptoms will ultimately vary, depending on the location of the spinal abnormality. It could include any of the following:
- Localized pain
- Limited range of motion
- Shooting pains in your extremities
- Tingling in your extremities
- Headaches
In very serious cases, you should seek medical help immediately upon noticing loss of bladder or bowel function.
What Are My Treatment Options for Back Pain?
Your treatment options will depend entirely on your unique situation – the severity of it, and the specific symptoms that you’re experiencing. It’s critical that you seek the care of licensed professionals, to ensure that you receive the appropriate treatment plan. It could include:
- Chiropractic care, focused on correcting spinal and biomechanical dysfunction with hands on adjusting and therapeutic modalities, exercise, and activities
- Physical therapy, with therapeutic and exercise plans designed to help decrease pain and regain your mobility and function
- Massage therapy, to decrease muscular pain and tension
- Spinal decompression traction, to decrease pain and allow your disc to heal
- Medical intervention, in some cases, to help with severe and debilitating pain and situations that may require surgery
Here at Parker Performance Institute, our interdisciplinary team uses chiropractic, therapeutic modalities, exercise, and activities, massage therapy, and medical services to create a targeted treatment plan to help back pain suffers feel, function, and live better.
Frequently Asked Questions About Back Pain
Can back pain be cured?
Yes. Commonly, the underlying cause of your back pain can be addressed with proper diagnosis and treatment. However, some people may experience multiple bouts or recurring pain in situations when their is something like an abnormality in the formation of spinal bones, a pronounced displacement of disc material, or a narrowing of the spinal canal. The good news is that there are options for people with mild and more complicated back pain situations.
How do I know if my back pain is serious?
You should seek medical help immediately upon noticing loss of bladder or bowel function or numbness in the area of your body that would contact a saddle, if you were sitting on a horse.
Separate from that, you should seek help when you experience the following due to your back pain:
- Interruption of sleep
- Inability to perform self care or activities of daily living
- Pain for more than two weeks
- Pain that is worsening
- Concern about your personal situation
