Lower back pain is a debilitating condition. According to the World Health Organization, lower back pain affected 619 million people in 2020 and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. This type of pain can manifest in many different ways, ranging from sharp, stabbing sensations to dull, diffuse discomfort and more. The pain may be localized or radiate up your back or into your glutes and legs. No matter how it presents, numerous options are available to treat low back pain, and we are pleased to share them with you.
Diagnosing Low Back PAin
The first step in treating low back pain is understanding what you are addressing. Establishing a diagnosis is critical for exploring your treatment options. Initially, you should find a provider who takes the time to listen to you. Too often, we hear about patients who have visited other offices and report that the doctor didn’t listen to their entire history before interrupting with a question or comment. Your doctor should genuinely care about your condition and how you arrived at this point. Next, the doctor should perform a thorough examination. This should include testing your range of motion, as well as neurological, orthopedic, and functional assessments. Once the doctor establishes a diagnosis, they can accurately determine the best treatment plan for you.
Common Low Back conditions
There are numerous diagnoses for low back pain. Some may appear similar, while others are quite different. Here are a few common low back pain conditions we encounter in our Saratoga chiropractic office.
Non-Specific Low Back PAin
This happens when it’s not possible to identify a specific disease or structural abnormality causing the pain. Non-specific low back pain is quite common and challenging to treat. Our Saratoga Springs chiropractor utilizes functional testing to determine which movements or activities induce pain and focuses on the joints and muscles that enable the body to perform those movements for diagnosis and treatment.
Low Back Sprain/Strain
Low back sprains and strains can occur in various ways. The most common cases we see in our office are sports injuries, closely followed by car accidents. Sports injuries may involve lifting or twisting. The muscles of the lower back are stretched and contracted when in that stretched position. The tissue is so strong that it becomes strained, and the ligaments that support the joints can also be damaged.
Sciatica
Sciatica and low back pain are closely related. Sciatica occurs when there is pressure on the sciatic nerve, which can be affected at various locations. Symptoms typically include a burning sensation, radiating pain into the leg, and sometimes weakness in the leg, ankle, or foot.
Disc Bulge
A disc bulge is a common occurrence in the spine. Some research suggests that disc bulging may serve as a protective mechanism, enabling the spine to handle greater loads and forces without sustaining damage. However, a disc bulge can be severe enough to contact a spinal nerve, resulting in pain in the lower back and sometimes radiating into the lower extremities. Disc bulges respond very well to conservative care, including chiropractic treatment.
Disc Herniation
A disc herniation occurs when the middle part of the disc (the nucleus) ruptures through the outer wall of the disc (the annulus). In many instances, this leads to contact with the spinal nerve, potentially causing pain in the lower extremities and sometimes resulting in weakness. Disc herniations typically respond well to conservative treatment, including chiropractic care, though some cases may necessitate surgical intervention.
Gluteus Medius/Minimus Strain
This is one of the most common presentations of low back pain in our Saratoga chiropractic office. The glutes play a significant role in keeping your pelvis level and stabilizing the hip joint and lower back when you walk, run, or do anything on your feet. When this muscle is weak, it can easily spasm or become tight, and the referral pattern mimics sciatic pain. It is one of the most misdiagnosed conditions we encounter in our chiropractic office.
Low Back Vertebrae fracture
Fractures are fairly uncommon, but we have seen them in some cases. Gymnasts can experience stress fractures in their lower backs from overuse. Individuals with osteoporosis (loss of bone density) are also at high risk for fractures. In rare instances, people present with spinal fractures from trauma, such as a car accident or a fall. Our Saratoga chiropractor will order imaging to confirm the fracture and make referrals as necessary.
Treatment for Low Back PAin
There are as many treatments for lower back pain as there are healthcare providers to treat it. You might encounter topical creams, back braces, rehabilitation programs, mattresses, tapes, and much more. In our chiropractic office, we follow a straightforward treatment plan. After all, complex conditions don’t always necessitate complex treatments. If our goal is to get you fully functional and pain-free, we will focus on those two objectives.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can involve various techniques, such as ultrasound, light therapy, and electrical muscle stimulation. In our office, we frequently use electrical muscle stimulation. This technique helps block pain receptors, enhance blood flow, and relax the muscles. It effectively creates a window for manual therapy, making the body much more tolerant.
Cupping/IASTM
Although considered physiotherapy, techniques like cupping and instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), such as Graston, are excellent methods for adjusting the fascial covering around a muscle. Even if the muscles are tight, if the fascia surrounding them is not moving, the body can feel restricted.
Chiropractic Adustmemt
Chiropractic adjustments for lower back pain are highly effective. In fact, some studies suggest that when chiropractors are visited as the first provider for someone experiencing lower back pain, their recovery time and costs are approximately 50% of those associated with any other provider.
Mobility exercises
Mobility exercises play a crucial role in healing from low back pain when performed at the right time and with proper form. These exercises will help the patient enhance their range of motion and improve their control within that range.
Therapeutic Exercises
Therapeutic exercises are excellent for helping a patient return to their pre-injury condition. This phase involves gradually reintroducing the patient to activity within a controlled environment and set of conditions. Think of it like learning to walk before you run. Once the patient advances through a well-structured therapeutic exercise program, they can typically begin to return to activity.
Active Release techniques
Active Release Techniques (A.R. T.) is the gold standard in soft tissue treatment. It is a patented and trademarked technique that combines soft tissue treatments with movement. The goal of this treatment is to restore normal, health movements to the soft tissues.
Additional Treatment Options
While it is uncommon, if patients do not respond to our chiropractic treatment, we can recommend a physical therapist, pain management specialist, or orthopedic doctor for a second opinion. We have established a network of professionals we trust to support our care.
Preventing low back pain
Preventing low back pain is challenging for many people. We recommend regular chiropractic adjustments at our office to help keep the spinal segments mobile. During your care, you will receive exercises to manage the stresses of life and any situations that may arise. We advise continuing these exercises even when you are not experiencing pain.
If you or someone you know is experiencing low back pain, we would be happy to help. Call or text our office, or click the link above to book, and we will gladly schedule a free consultation with our Saratoga Springs chiropractor.