Why does my low back hurt?
Low back pain can be chronic or may occur after a sudden movement or specific injury. Common movements and activities that hurt the lower back include:
- Using your back to lift a heavy object
- Bending and twisting
- Sitting for long periods
- Trips and falls
- Poor posture
- Coughing, sneezing, and bowel movements
Low back pain can vary from mild aching to severe, sharp, stabbing pain. It may also cause pain to travel from your lower back to your legs or feet.
What causes low back pain?
Depending on the cause, location, and type of pain sensation you’re experiencing, the team can narrow down the cause of your low back pain. Common causes of low back pain include:
- Intersegmental dysfunction
- Facet syndrome
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Arthritis
- Disc herniation
- Lumbar radiculopathy
Following a thorough exam, the team can diagnose the specific cause of your pain and recommend an appropriate course of treatment to effectively treat your pain and get you back to normal.
How is low back pain diagnosed?
To diagnose low back pain, the team first completes a consultation to learn about your symptoms, when they began, and if there’s anything you do that makes your pain better or worse. Then, the team takes you through a series of physical, orthopedic, and neurological tests to determine the cause of your pain.
These tests involve checking your flexibility, spinal range of motion, and muscle strength in your legs and lower back. Other tests may involve lying on your back or stomach while a team member lifts or bends your legs or hips. If you experience numbness and tingling, a team member may also check nerve sensations in your back, legs, and feet.
In some cases, you may be referred for X-rays or an MRI. Based on your exam and any necessary imaging, the team diagnoses the cause of your pain and recommends a treatment plan.
How is low back pain treated?
Low back pain treatment is determined by your diagnosis. In many cases, the team incorporates a diversified approach that includes chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation. While chiropractic care restores mobility to the spine and reduces pain, physiotherapy and rehabilitation reduce inflammation and improve the flexibility and strength of your lower back.
Following all care recommendations — including follow-up appointments and at-home exercises — can help you recover from lower back pain faster than waiting it out and may even prevent pain in the future.
To schedule a visit, call or book online at AllCare Chiropractic.
