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Back Pain

Back Pain

3 Signs You Might Need Back Pain Care

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Admit it, we’re all guilty of putting off a doctor’s visit or two. We figure “the pain will go away on its own.” But, what happens when that isn’t the case?

After a few weeks of pain, you regret not seeking professional care to begin with.

Best case scenario? A professional can take over from there and help relieve your pain.

Worst case? You seriously delayed your recovery by not asking for help sooner.

Read on to learn about 3 signs that you might need back pain care and how a chiropractor can put you on the path to a pain-free life!

Sign #1: Over-the-Counter Medication Doesn’t Cut It

For minor aches and pains, over-the-counter pain relievers should alleviate your pain. However, if you are at the point at which these medicines don’t help you anymore, chiropractic care could be for you.

This is also the case if you are relying solely on these pills for an extended period of time, getting to the point where you are maxing out on the recommended intake each day.

Over-the-counter pain medication is meant to be a short-term, quick fix. It is not meant to be a permanent solution to your pain.

After all, these pills may alleviate your pain, but if you are seriously injured or suffering from a back condition, these pills won’t work to tackle the issue at hand.

If your back pain is so great that these pills aren’t helping, or aren’t helping enough, that is a tell-tale sign that family chiropractic care could be your best plan of action.

Sign #2: You Can’t Perform Everyday Tasks

Part of getting older means that you don’t move like you used to. Maybe you can’t stay out dancing all night or exercise as vigorously as you did when you were younger.

However, if your back pain limits your ability to perform everyday tasks or take care of yourself, it’s recommended to seek back pain care.

Some examples of tasks that back pain may prevent you from doing are: bending over to pick things up, going on walks, sitting for long periods of time, sleeping through the night, and more.

Don’t waste another day, succumbing to your back pain.

At a certain point, your quality of life decreases drastically when you are living in pain and limited in your movement.

If you’re lucky enough to have people taking care of you, you may be able to get away with procrastinating on back pain care for a little longer. Yet, you will eventually regret not starting recovery sooner.

If you’re living alone or don’t have much help to do your daily tasks, living with back pain becomes increasingly dangerous.

After all, you don’t want to end up in a situation where you are injured and alone.

Sign #3: The Pain Lasts Longer than 6 Weeks

When you wake up with an ache in your back or a crick in your neck, you probably chalk it up to sleeping in an odd position. But, fast forward weeks later, if you still feel that way, you know there’s a bigger issue at hand.

There is a difference between acute back pain and chronic back pain.

Acute back pain is generally considered pain that lasts less than 6 weeks. While this pain is still serious and may require professional attention, it is likely the cause of a physical injury and may resolve on its own with rest.

Acute back pain may be treated with pain medication, bed rest, stretches and physical therapy exercises, and limited movement.

On the other hand, chronic back pain is pain lasting longer than 6 weeks. Chronic back pain may come on gradually and may not necessarily stem from one injury or accident.

Oftentimes, the cause behind chronic back pain is difficult to pinpoint and the pain is more difficult to treat because it is likely a combination of factors (lifestyle and genetic) than contribute to the pain.

If your back pain is chronic, it will not likely subside on its own. Therefore, seeking the best chiropractor for your care is necessary.

When to Seek Back Pain Care Urgently

Back pain, especially that of the achey variety, may seem easy to procrastinate, but there are a few symptoms that you should not ignore.

If you have any of the following symptoms, make sure to reach out to a professional as soon as possible.

  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Trouble using the bathroom or bladder control
  • Numbness in your lower body

These symptoms are serious and should not be ignored.

Back to Health Chiropractic Solutions

Depending on how long you’ve been suffering from back pain, it may seem hopeless that you’ll ever feel better. However, there are solutions to back pain that can alleviate or help you manage your pain.

A chiropractor can manipulate your muscles, ligaments, and joints to offer immediate relief to some kinds of stiffness and pain.

They may be able to teach you stretches or exercises that will offer more long-term relief.

Sometimes, acupuncture may be a solution that can bring you pain relief as well.

Additionally, a chiropractor can evaluate your lifestyle and offer you advice as to changes you can make to prevent and assuage future pain, including sleeping positions, daily exercise, and posture correction.

Don’t Wait to Take Your Life Back

No one wants to live a life full of pain or restrictions. The sooner you seek professional back pain care, the sooner you can feel like yourself and get back to your life.

For more information about chiropractic care, check out our blog! Here, you’ll find tips for vetting chiropractors, managing pain, and more.

Back Pain: The Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

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Nearly 600 million people suffer from back pain. And even if you’ve never experienced back pain, chances are high that you’ll feel it at some point in your life.

If you’re suffering from back pain, you’re probably wondering what treatments are available and how you can start feeling better. Or, what are some ways in which you can prevent back pain?

Keep reading to learn more about symptoms, causes, and the treatments associated with back pain from chiropractors in Mount Pleasant.

Symptoms of Back Pain

Not all back pain is equal. Symptoms of pain range from stabbing, shooting, dull, aching, or burning. The pain may also travel to different parts of your body, like your legs, making walking, standing, or other activities impossible or difficult.

Isolated back pain is common, but you should see a doctor or a chiropractor if you experience any of the following along with your back pain:

  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Pain that doesn’t subside after treatments
  • Numbness or tingling in any area of the body
  • Leg pain
  • Trauma or injury to any part of the body
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Stiffness or loss of range of motion
  • Swelling

Knowing the type of back pain you have is also essential for helping your chiropractor make their diagnosis. The more information you can provide, the better your treatment will be.

What Causes Back Pain?

There are several causes of back pain. Some may be immediately distinguishable, while others are harder to diagnose. Here are some things that cause back pain.

Pulled Muscle

One of the most common reasons for back pain is a pulled muscle or muscles. Too much movement or improper movement may cause muscles to lengthen awkwardly or become strained. If you want to avoid pulled muscles in your back, make sure to pay attention to your movements or use a brace to give support.

Ruptured Discs

Your spine has discs that provide comfort to your bones. When these discs rupture or slip, your bones grate against each other, causing pain or pressing against a nerve. Sometimes you can have a ruptured disc without any pain, but you’ll need an x-ray to determine if this is the case.

Inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s response to pain, but it does cause discomfort. If you have a pulled muscle or other back problems, inflammation and swelling cause pain. To reduce inflammation, you can take medication, and apply ice to reduce swelling, but you’ll need to find the source of the inflammation.

Diseases

Bone diseases like osteoporosis and arthritis can cause back pain because they affect the joints as well. Osteoporosis causes your bones to become fragile and break easily, while arthritis causes pain in the joints, mostly in the lower back. Your doctor or chiropractor can diagnose both of these diseases.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain throughout all areas of the body, including your back, and likely stems from problems with the nervous system. You may feel tenderness or pain in certain areas, like the lower back. Your doctor or chiropractor can help you diagnose fibromyalgia.

Stress

Believe it or not, you can carry stress in your body, and your back in one place where people carry stress. Poor posture due to stress can wreak havoc on your body and back.

What Are the Treatments for Back Pain?

There are many ways to treat back pain. The most important thing is to know why you’re experiencing back pain and then take steps to reduce your pain or eliminate it completely. Here are some common treatments for back pain.

Chiropractic Care

A chiropractor is a type of doctor skilled at understanding and treating the neuromusculoskeletal system. This includes your bones, nerves, and muscles.

Chiropractic care includes treatments like chiropractic adjustments and exercises to reduce pain and align the body so it works better. This should minimize and help manage your pain.

Over-The-Counter Medication

If you have acute back pain that needs to run its course, like a pulled muscle, you can take OTC medication like ibuprofen to manage the pain while you recover. This allows you to rest comfortably and get back on your feet quickly.

Ice and Heat

Ice and heat both work to reduce pain. Applying ice to the site of pain can reduce swelling and inflammation. Heat therapy relaxes the muscles and encourages blood flow to the muscles for repair.

Surgery

In severe cases, especially if your pain doesn’t subside, you may need surgery, especially if you have a pinched nerve or slipped disc. Your doctor or chiropractor can recommend what type of surgery you need and why.

Preventing Back Pain

Back pain may be largely preventable. If you’re prone to back pain, here are some ways you can take control of your health and prevent spurts of back pain.

Exercise

Excess weight on the body causes it to work harder, leading to pulled muscles or strain. Taking the weight off by exercising and improving your range of motion can potentially reduce the severity and possibility of back pain.

Chiropractic Appointments

Keeping your body aligned may reduce the amount of back pain you experience. A chiropractor offers adjustments to get your body aligned so it works properly.

Build Muscle

In addition to keeping off the excess weight, you want to build up muscle. Muscle, especially your core muscles, helps keep your back upright and strong.

You Can Miminimze Back Pain

Back pain can be debilitating, but with a proper diagnosis and treatment, you can regain your quality of life. Don’t let back pain stop you from living your life and doing what you love.

If back pain is interfering with your life, try chiropractic care with the best chiropractor to get you back on your feet. Schedule an appointment today with one of our chiropractors in Mount Pleasant.