Lower back injuries are very common. Research tells us that 80% of people suffer from back pain at some time or another.  Back pain is one of the leading causes of disability with significant health care costs in addition to lost productivity and suffering.

Problems or injuries to the muscles, nerves, joints and discs are the most common causes of low back pain.  With overlapping injuries and possibly more than one area or tissue injured, differentiating the specific injury can be difficult. This is a brief list of the different problems and typical associated symptoms that are often seen in the Bedford Chiropractic clinic. This general information is offered to help better understand possible problems. For more specific information please schedule a consultation.

Disc injury

The flexible discs between vertabrea allow for movement, but are a frequent source of pain in the lower back.  With damage ranging from a minor sprain (internal disruption) to a severe herniation, the pain level can also vary from minor to severe.

• Pain referral or radiation is common – with symptoms including numbness, pain or weaknesses into the hip or leg

• Will often restrict mobility

• Typical pattern includes early morning pain, pain with sitting, relief with standing/walking

• Treatment paragraph link --- at the end of each section

Joint “sprain”

Between each vertebrae there are small joints (facet joints) that help guide motion (picture?) – excess stress/strain on these small joints can result in a joint “sprain” or irritation.

• Pain can be sharp or dull, locally or referred into the hip/leg

• Often restricts range of motion (sometimes in very specific movements)

• Frequently described as a “kink” or “pinch”

• Very common injury

Another joint in the lower back area are the sacro-iliac joints.  On either side of the tailbone (sacrum) where it attaches to the hip bones (ilium) the SI joints help with pelvic movement while walking and bending.  Sprain of the SI joints can also cause lower back pain, usually to one side or the other.  This can include referral into the hips and legs plus into the groin.

Muscle or myofascial irritation

The spine is supported by the surrounding muscles.  The “core” muscles provide mobility, strength, stability and feedback on positioning.  Prolonged periods or excess strain can injure the muscle fibres and lead to pain, tension or discomfort.

• Can range from stiffness to severe pain.  Either aching or sharp pain

• Can restrict mobility
•  Very common, often happens in concert with other injuries

• Pain alone can trigger increased muscle tension – which in-turn leads to more pain

Nerve “pinch”/compression

Often pain referring down the leg is blamed on a “pinched nerve” or “sciatica”.  Nerves can be “pinched” in the back from a disc injury, with osteoarthritis, degenerative changes or from an injury.

• Typical nerve pain is severe and sharp/stabbing

•  An cause numbness, total loss of feeling or weaknesses

• True nerve compression is not very common.  More often pain referral stems from muscle, joint and disc problems – even if the nerve is not being directly affected

Depending on the specific area and tissue in the back that is injured, pain can radiate across the lower back, hips, groin and legs.

Often pain is blamed on osteoarthritis. Degenerative damage like osteoarthritis can trigger pain episodes, but that pain often persists for other reasons.  The goal of treatment is to identify the underlying factors for the reoccuring pain, and to bring those issues under control with a combination of treatment, home exercises and ergonomic changes.

While it is not possible to undo the arthritic changes, treatment can often restore normal function and reduce pain.

Treatments

Treatment always needs to start with an appropriate diagnosis.

Treatments should focus on the underlying cause of the pain - both the tissue causing the pain as well as the factors that are triggering the problem.  A combination of treatments, such as, massage, soft tissue treatments (Graston), manipulation/mobilization and/or home stretching exercises can be effective ways to reduce the tissue irritation.

We identify any aggravating factors and help you to manage any issues through a program of self-care and prevention.

For a clinical assessment of your lower back pain, the triggers and best treatment options, please contact Bedford Chiropractic for an appointment.