Lower Back Pain Isn't Always Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common reason that people visit their health care providers.

About 80% of the population will experience lower back pain sometime in their lives.

The most common reason for having back pain is due to sprain and strain types of injuries.

This may be the result of heavy or improper lifting techniques, a sports injury, or, very commonly, as a result of day to day work activities. Many of us have jobs that require us to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, and doing work in front of us (on the computer, at a counter, in a factory etc.). This actually 'loads' the spine, especially the lower back. This loading puts a lot of stress on the skeletal and soft tissue structures. Over time this builds and may manifest as lower back pain. This may happen suddenly and "for no apparent reason", or may build over time resulting in chronic pain. The spinal discs may be affected in that the walls may become weak and this may result in bulges which puts pressure on the spinal nerves and may result in leg pain and even weakness. This may even ultimately result in surgery.

There are many other reasons that we may experience lower back pain. Keep in mind that the spine "houses" the spinal cord which of course is attached to the brain. At each "level" of the spine, there are spinal nerves branching out from the spinal cord, giving nerve supply to and from the rest of the body. The lower back and pelvic region is a particularly "high traffic" area for nerve supply. These nerves not only supply the lower back and legs but also the abdominal organs like the intestines and kidneys, or the urogenital organs like the bladder, uterus prostate, etc. If we are experiencing problems in any of these areas, for example, a bladder or kidney infection, ovarian cyst, to name a few; this may manifest as lower back pain.

It is therefore important that your health care provider performs a thorough history and exam to determine the cause of lower back pain.

Chiropractors are trained to differentially diagnose whether lower back pain is in fact due musculoskeletal causes or otherwise, in which case a referral to a physician may be necessary.

The common conception is that low back pain is probably the result of sprain and strain but it is important to remember that lower back pain isn't always "lower back pain".

If you're currently experiencing lower back pain, give us a call - 519-258-8544.