Aching Back?

     A question that I often get from friends and patients is: "Why does my back ache?"  As a response to this question I thought I would make this question the subject of the "newsletter." 

     Why do backs ache?  Basically, there are two reasons. 1) Traumatic injury such as a car accident or lifting a heavy object are the most common.  2) Years of back abuse -  such as poor posture, improper ergonomics, and a lack of body conditioning - make the back prone to injury and/or discomfort.  The lower back is particularly vulnerable; its major weight bearing joints can be pushed out of alignment with painful results.  Other pain sensitive structures can be stretched, torn, and distorted as well.  This phenomenon can also happen quite easily in the neck and upper back regions.  Using spinal adjustments (a form of manipulation) and other techniques such as physical therapy, a doctor of chiropractic can treat many common conditions of the spine such as:

     1) Muscle Strain and Ligament Sprain:  These conditions are caused by poor posture or an old untreated back injury.  Commonly, these conditions occur as a new entity after a fall or whiplash type injury.  Symptoms are generally muscle spasm or back ache.

     2) Pelvic Joint and Ligament Sprain:  (sacroiliac syndrome) This condition occurs from a sudden injury or movement and is felt as a sharp pain in the hip or buttock region.  The pain from the low back or hip may radiate down the back of the leg, to the outside of the calf or to the groin area.

     3) Joint Sprain:  (facet syndrome) Facet Syndrome is brought on by a sudden injury or an occupation that involves sitting a great deal.  This condition of the low back often follows a preexisting injury or years of neglect or lack of conditioning.  The most common symptoms are low back stiffness/pain and increased pain on extending backward from the low back and pelvis.

     4) Slipped Disc:  (disc syndrome) Disc syndrome is most often brought on by a sudden injury such as lifting or an automobile accident.  Also common, however, is the re-injury of  a disc following years of wear and tear.  This condition causes severe low back pain and sometime pain into the legs.  The low back pain is sometimes increased by coughing or sneezing.

     5) Muscle Imbalance:  Muscle imbalances and developmental growth problems (i.e. short leg syndrome) may cause pain and discomfort later in life.  Curvature of the spine (scoliosis) is also commonly involved in these conditions.  If curvature of the spine is present, there is often pain from muscle imbalance/spasm and arthritis of the spinal joints.

     The good news is that Doctors of Chiropractic treat all these conditions quickly and successfully.  Shown on our homepage is what we refer to as a "Gift of Health."  This "Gift" allows an individual to be examined for a health concern without cost or obligation.  If the person requires chiropractic care or needs to be referred to another health care provider we will be happy to help in either situation.  Feel free to pass on a "Gift of Health" to a family member, close friend or co-worker who needs our help at no charge and without obligation.

     Thatcher Chiropractic is located at 3535 American Drive in Colorado Springs, Colorado 80917 near the intersection at Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us by phone at (719) 574-3700.

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