Low Back Pain in Wilsonville

Did you know that low back pain in Wilsonville is the second most common reason for people to seek medical attention, right after an upper respiratory infection? Did you also know that low back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the Global Burden of Disease 2010. Global Burden of Disease? If you are currently experiencing low back pain, you are not alone.

Common causes of low back pain in Wilsonville

Luckily, low back pain is most commonly caused by mechanical issues or non-organic reasons. This means that low back pain (even excruciating episodes!) is usually caused by conditions that can be treated conservatively. It is important to let your doctor determine the exact cause of your pain, however, before establishing conservative care.

The most common mechanical causes of low back pain are due to sprain/strains, muscle spasm, facet syndromes, lumbar disc disorders, nerve impingements, arthritis, and spinal canal stenosis. At West Chiropractic & Wellness, your overseeing Doctor will determine the causative factors for your pain, in order to determine your best treatment options, and then guide you through care. The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality recommends that anyone suffering from low back pain should choose conservative care first, with spinal adjustments recommended as the only safe and effective, drugless form of initial professional treatment for acute low back pain in adults (1). If your back pain is due to organic reasons, a referral will be made immediately.

(1). Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. Clinical Practice Guideline No.14. AHCPR Publication No. 95-0642. Rockville, MD: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, December 1994.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
• Remain active—under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
• Warm-up or stretch before exercising or physical activities, such as gardening.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
• Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
• Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
• Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.