2 Common Causes of Low Back Pain

In general, there are two causes of low back pain.
* First is some type of injury: car accident, sports injury, slips and falls, lifting wrong.
* Second, poor body posture, typically while sitting.

Injury Process

With injuries, there is a rapid and forceful stretching of the muscles of the low back and hips (also known as a strain) as well as the small ligaments (also known as a sprain) that hold the spinal bones together. This rapid force can cause micro tears in the tissue all the way to a complete tear.

The initial pain caused by these injuries is typically due a chemical reaction; the injured tissue releases a very irritating chemical that affects the nerves. This is then followed by inflammation and swelling of the damaged area. Along with this chemical process, there is a mechanical factor that can cause chronic pain and lead to degenerative changes to the injured joints.

Because the muscles and ligaments are injured, it will limit the normal motion of the spinal joints and disc. Over time, this limited motion will cause increased stress in the joints and cause them to break down or degenerate resulting in a condition called spondylosis. The longer this continues, the more likely it is to develop chronic back pain.

Poor Posture

We are all creatures of habit. We sit at work in a common posture. We get home and sit in our favorite spot and position night after night. Over time, our repeated body posture becomes a repetitive habit. As we continue day after day, this poor posture takes its toll on our muscles, ligaments and spinal joints.

When we repeatedly keep the same body positions, some of our muscles slowly contract or shorten, while others slowly stretch and become tight. Additionally, the ligaments that hold our spinal bones become stretched and tight. Both the muscles and ligaments contain small nerve fibers that when stretched, become painful.

As with injuries, when the muscles and ligaments are changed like this, they begin to limit the normal motion of the spinal joints and disc. Over time, this limited motion will cause increased stress in the joints and cause them to break down or degenerate, resulting in spondylosis. The longer this continues, the more likely it is to develop chronic back pain.

The Solution

The good news! With chiropractic adjustments, changing your postural habits and the right exercises, you can take care of that low back pain. Call our office today at (314) 731-4383 or CLICK TO CALL NOW and schedule an appointment with Dr. Schmaltz. Let us help you change your life!