Approximately 80% of adults with have low back pain at some point in their lives. Studies show that there are several main causes of low back pain, but two of the most common that we will focus on today are:
1) Disc problems
2) Intervertebral joint dysfunction
Disc Problems: The disc is the cushion or shock absorber between the vertebrae of your spine. Due to injuries, disease or age, the disc can bulge or rupture which causes the herniated disc material to cause an inflammatory reaction or to put physical pressure on the surrounding nerves which results in pain. These nerves exit your lower back and travel down your leg to your feet, so you may feel symptoms in your lower back, glutes, or even legs and feet. The Chiropractors at Kailua Wellness Center, will be able to assess your pain and determine if there is disc involvement. We may show you exercis
es or stretches that you can do to take the pressure off the disc which decreases and eliminates pain. Exercises to strengthen and add stability to your lower back and spine may be the missing piece of the puzzle. We may provide a series of chiropractic adjustments which can also take pressure off the disc and nerves and thus decreasing symptoms. Each case is different, so it is important to understand what is the root cause of your pain so appropriate steps can be made to eliminate it.
Joint dysfunction: There are three points of contact between each vertebra in your spine. We’ve already covered #1: which is the disc. Another main cause of low back pain is dysfunction within the 2 facet joints that help connect each vertebra to the one above it and below. There is one joint on either side of your spine which helps to allow your spine to bend and extend and also adds extra stability. Often times, these joints will bear an unequal distribution of weight which can increase degeneration in the long term. This can also cause one or both joints to become essentially stuck. When this happens, the brunt of the force is distributed to the joints and muscles above or below this area which can cause a slippery slope of painful events. Our job at Kailua Wellness Center is to find the areas in your spine that become “stuck” and in essence “unstick” them so they regain their full movement and functionality. This can happen through a chiropractic adjustment, exercise, or even massage. Once all joints of your spine regain their full capacity of movement, the surrounding muscles and tissues are able to relax and you feel back to normal.
There can be no doubt that each person is different. If you have questions about any of these topics please call Kailua Wellness Center at (808) 261-8181. We will be happy to determine what is causing your low back pain, and tailor a specific treatment plan to get you back to doing the things you love.
Dr. Jared Campbell, DC (Doctor of Chiropractic at Kailua Wellness Center)
