09/12/2018
Back Pain, what is it?
What Causes Back pain
Back pain can be divided into non-radicular pain and radiculopathy. Radiculopathy occurs when there is irritation in the nerve root, causing neurologic symptoms, such as numbness and tingling. Disk herniation and foraminal stenosis are the most common causes of radiculopathy. Non-radicular back pain is most commonly caused by injury to the spinal muscles or ligaments, degenerative spinal disease, or a herniated disk. Spondylosis, or spinal degeneration, occurs when the intervertebral disc undergoes degenerative changes, causing the disc to fail at cushioning the vertebrae. There is an association between intervertebral disc space narrowing and lumbar spine pain. The space between the vertebrae becomes narrow, resulting in compression and irritation of the nerves. There is a weak association between low back pain and facet osteoarthritis, which has been considered as a primary reason for compression of spine nerve roots as they exit the intervertebral foramen.
Back pain can also be due to referred pain from another source. Referred pain occurs when pain is felt at a location different from the source of the pain. An abdominal aortic aneurysm and urethral colic can both result in pain felt in the back.
Back pain is a common symptom that could manifest along the delicate tissues of the backbone, such as the muscles, nerves, bones, and joints. Internal structures such as glands, pancreas and the aorta, may cause referred pain in the back. When treating back pain, health care professionals often attempt to achieve a decrease in the level of the individual’s back pain so as to reestablish their ability to function in everyday activities, to help them manage symptoms and also to evaluate the effects of therapy choices. The objective is to manage back pain with rehabilitation for long-term pain relief.
Back Pain Non-Medical Treatment:
Back pain is generally treated with non-pharmacological therapy first, as it typically resolves without the use of medication. Superficial heat and massage, acupuncture, and spinal manipulation therapy may be recommended.
- Heat therapy is useful for back spasms or other conditions. A review concluded that heat therapy can reduce symptoms of acute and sub-acute low-back pain.
- Regular activity and gentle stretching exercises is encouraged in uncomplicated back pain and is associated with better long-term outcomes. Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles in the abdomen and around the spine may also be recommended. These exercises are associated with better patient satisfaction, although it has not been shown to provide functional improvement. However, one study found that exercise is effective for chronic back pain, but not for acute pain. If used, they should be performed under supervision of a licensed health professional.
- Massage therapy may give short-term pain relief, but not functional improvement, for those with acute lower back pain. It may also give short-term pain relief and functional improvement for those with long-term (chronic) and sub-acute lower back pain, but this benefit does not appear to be sustained after 6 months of treatment. There does not appear to be any serious adverse effects associated with massage.
- Acupuncture may provide some relief for back pain. However, further research with stronger evidence needs to be done.
- Spinal manipulation treatments. After a complete examination a personalized clinical treatment program is put together & implemented. Your treatment is monitored so your program can be updated so you receive the maximum benefit.
is a widely-used method of treating back pain, although there is no evidence of long-term benefits.
At Clinicube we offer these After a complete examination a personalized clinical treatment program is put together & implemented. Your treatment is monitored so your program can be updated so you receive the maximum benefit.
10/03/2016
Lower back pain: Dealing with it at home
If you’ve ever suffered with lower back pain, you’ll know it’s an extremely painful condition. Some suffer with this chronically because of conditions such as a slipped disc. Others injure themselves playing sport and suffer with temporary pain. Whatever type you’re suffering from right now, it’s not going to be pleasant. Of course, seeing a professional will help to ease your pain. That being said, it isn’t always possible to do this. Sometimes, you just need to know how to ease off your back pain at home. Here are some effective ways of dealing with your lower back pain yourself.
Always focus on good posture
Good posture is so important, at all stages of life. Whether you’re sitting or standing, making sure your posture is right is a must. Your head should be up and stacked neutrally over your spine. Your shoulders should be back and chest out. Always be mindful of your posture to keep your back pain-free.
Get moving ASAP
Having the body in an upright position can help with lower back pain. Some people think that they should be on bed rest, but this isn’t actually recommended for more than 3 days. You could end up with worse pain if you stay still for too long! It’s better to get out and get active as soon as you can. Even if you’re just walking, it’ll help to ease your pain. You’ll improve your health and strengthen your back. Just make sure you avoid any activity that caused this pain in the first place. You don’t want to do anything too strenuous. When you feel ready, you can incorporate things like yoga and abdominal exercises. If you have weak abdominals, your lower back could actually be taking the strain. Don’t forget, exercise actually increases the endorphins our bodies produce. This means we feel happier and we don’t feel as much pain.
Improve your quality of sleep
The quality of sleep we get can impact our lives in a big way. If your mattress isn’t right for you, you could be making your back worse, not to mention that getting a low quality of sleep will make you all the more receptive to your back pain. Making sure you have the right type of mattress, and taking the steps to enjoy a high quality of sleep will do you the world of good.
Hot and cold treatments for lower back pain
Hot and cold treatments can work wonders for an injured back. However, you must use them in the correct way to ease your pain. If you’ve injured your back and there’s swelling, using an ice pack for the first 48 hours is a good idea. After that, you can use heat on your back to settle things down. Generally though, using the one you find most comfortable should benefit you. Always make sure your skin is protected before using a hot or cold treatment.
Meditation and deep breathing
These two techniques are amazing relaxation techniques. As you are de-stressing and putting your mind at rest, you could help your back to no end. The more relaxed you are, the lower your perceived level of pain. It may take you a while to get used to quietening your mind and taking proper breaths, but stick with it. It’s great for your health in other areas, too.
06/10/2016
When it comes to back pain, prevention is as important as cure
When it comes to back pain, prevention is as important as cure
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who are currently experiencing back pain, you’ll know exactly how disabling and unpleasant it can be. Sadly, many people find that when they visit their medical provider, they end up with some super strength, prescription painkillers and little else. Not only do painkillers bring their own problems, including in some cases the potential for dependency, they also fail to address the underlying problem that’s causing the pain in the first place. If you’re looking for alternatives to drugs, chiropractic treatment can often provide a perfect solution.
Non-invasive and safe for people with pre-existing medical conditions
Because a Chiropractor uses spinal manipulation and decompression to relieve pain and promote healing, no surgery is involved. Even if you have a complex medical history or are already taking several different medications, chiropractic techniques can usually be administered safely. They are suitable for people of all ages, enabling elders to benefit as much as younger people.
Prevention is vital to minimize the risk of a condition recurring
A major advantage of chiropractic is that it encompasses not only the immediate treatment of the acute condition, but also includes exercises and postural adjustments designed to strengthen and support the spinal area. Done regularly, the right exercises can help to protect the spine against further injury in the future. Particularly if your back pain has been attributed to a degenerative condition, posture or lifestyle, chiropractic provides the guidance you need to make lasting positive changes in order to improve your spinal health as much as possible.
Our experienced team believes in offering a holistic, effective treatment regime that’s individually tailored to the needs of each client. In addition to chiropractic, if appropriate we can also offer a range of other proven pain relief techniques, including acupuncture, physical therapy and Redcord. We can work successfully with people of all ages and our therapies are usually suitable for people who have pre-existing conditions. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to your back pain which doesn’t have to involve years of dependence on painkillers, chiropractic could be the answer.
01/31/2016
Chronic Back Pain’s Various Treatment Options
If you’re a chronic pain sufferer, then you’re probably fully aware of how difficult it can be to tolerate the persistent discomfort. Chronic pain of the back can put a serious damper on your daily lifestyle. It can prevent you from working, doing the things you love and even feeling happy. This is why it’s so crucial to find a suitable treatment plan for your specific case of chronic pain.
01/31/2016
Learn Some Reasons for Back Pain
When you experience back pain, there is likely a reason for your discomfort. Different issues and injuries can manifest differently in your body, so it’s important to determine the cause of the problem. Once you know the origination of the symptoms, you can work to resolve them.