The Good and the Bad of Lower Back Pain Treatment Options

With the opioid epidemic upon us in full swing, people in chronic pain are having to seek alternative methods for relief to stave off the rampant addiction to painkillers.

Recently, the most prestigious university in America or the world, Harvard, has recommended chiropractic care for the first line of defense for low back pain. We do not need any accolades from any institution to know what we as chiropractors do on an everyday occurrence. You the patients have spoken to us repeatedly and our eyes have seen the results.

Chiropractic Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain

It surprises me that I get one new patient a week that has never been to a chiropractor. I enjoy explaining a very simple method of relieving multiple conditions without drugs or surgery.

Some of you who have been to a chiropractor know that low back pain is our bread and butter. I am sure that some of you have had the good and the bad regarding chiropractic care. So, this leads me to explain why there may have been some missed causes of your low back pain.

Most cases of low back pain involve patients that have hurt themselves from either bending or lifting heavy objects. Sitting for prolonged periods of time aggravates or flares up this condition.

Usually, localized low back pain without any associated symptoms of leg pain has brought them in to see me. At times, they have some form of sciatica but not the true form of what we know sciatica to be. They have a flexion-intolerant lower back, also known as axial discogenic pain. It is paramount that they stop doing flexion type exercises, but instead incorporate extension type pain-relieving exercises into their regiment. Give it time, the hot disc needs to simmer down.

Lower Back Pain and Misdiagnosis

In addition, a common but poorly misdiagnosed symptom of low back pain is Maigne’s syndrome. Typically, with this syndrome, pain can be in the low back, the side of the upper leg, and at times move into the groin area.

The syndrome originates in the mid to lower back (thoraco-lumbar) transition of the spine and is exacerbated with leaning backwards. Lean backwards and turn to one side simultaneously and all hell breaks loose. Stressing the joints (facets) in this transition area is the culprit to Maigne’s syndrome. Extension type exercises here are contraindicated.

Other Pain Symptoms

Last, but not overlooked, is hip immobility and a term not so well known – functional hip impingement. Again, pain to the outside thigh as well as the groin area may be the symptoms leading to functional hip impingement. Although the hip may be minimally symptomatic, it throws off any biomechanics of the low back and legs leading to lower back pain.

To yours in better health!

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