What is Low Back Pain, and How Can Chiropractic Treatments in NYC Offer Lasting Relief?
Low back pain, whether a dull ache or a sharp, shooting pain, can stop you in your tracks and affect everything—work, daily activities, and overall quality of life. At Prestige Health and Wellness, we understand how disruptive back pain can be. Our goal is to help you find lasting relief so you can return to feeling like yourself again.
What is lower back pain?
Low back pain is more than just a common issue—it’s the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting around 619 million people. About 80% of adults will experience it at some point. While it can impact anyone, it often starts in early to middle adulthood, disrupting daily activities and affecting overall quality of life
- Acute pain: Lasts six weeks or less.
- Subacute pain: Lasts from six weeks to three months.
- Chronic pain: Lasts longer than three months.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of lower back pain?
Lower back pain can show up differently and affect how you move and feel. Symptoms may include:
- Sudden or Gradual Onset: Pain can appear suddenly after an action like lifting or develop over time.
- Sharp or Dull Pain: Pain may be sharp or more of a dull ache that varies in intensity.
- Stiffness and Muscle Spasms: Limited movement or sharp spasms can make moving difficult.
- Radiating Pain: Pain that spreads to the buttocks or legs can indicate sciatica.
What Causes Low Back Pain?
The lower back supports much of the body’s weight, making it vulnerable to strain. Frequent causes of low back pain include:
- Strains and Sprains: Lifting, twisting, or sudden movements can strain muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
- Disc Issues: Bulging or damaged discs can press on nerves, causing pain.
- Structural Conditions: Spinal stenosis, scoliosis, or spondylolisthesis can affect spine alignment, leading to pain.
- Arthritis and Inflammation: Osteoarthritis and other types of inflammatory arthritis can cause chronic back discomfort.
- Other Health Conditions: Kidney stones, infections, or tumors can also contribute to back pain.
How Your Lifestyle Can Cause Low Back Pain
Lifestyle factors are often behind low back pain, with some main contributors being poor posture, repetitive movements, and long hours of sitting or standing.
Workplace Factors
- Jobs involving frequent lifting or repetitive movements strain the spine over time.
- Poor office ergonomics, like a chair without lumbar support, can lead to ongoing discomfort.
Impact of Carrying Heavy Bags
- Heavy bags, especially on one shoulder, can throw off spinal alignment, causing muscle imbalances.
Exercise and Overexertion
- High-impact activities or poor form during workouts can strain the spine.
- Regular slouching, while seated or bending improperly, can lead to chronic back issues.
Other Lifestyle Factors
- Obesity increases spinal strain, while smoking is linked to reduced blood flow to spinal tissues.
- Sedentary habits weaken back muscles, and stress often adds tension to the lower back.
Diagnosing Low Back Pain at Prestige Health and Wellness
At Prestige Health and Wellness, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing low back pain. We combine patient history, physical exams, and when needed, imaging studies to accurately identify the root cause of your discomfort. Our goal is to provide a holistic view of your condition to guide effective treatment.
Here’s how we diagnose low back pain:
- Evaluation and Physical Exam: We begin by reviewing your medical history, symptoms, and lifestyle to identify potential contributing factors. We evaluate your alignment, posture, and mobility during the physical exam to identify any issues.
- Orthopedic and Imaging Tests: If necessary, X-rays or MRIs can help us identify disc issues or alignment problems. Orthopedic tests further assess your range of motion and pinpoint painful areas.
- Neurological Tests: These tests help determine if nerve pressure is contributing to your pain.
By combining these diagnostic methods, we gain a thorough understanding of your condition. This enables us to create a personalized treatment plan that addresses both your symptoms and the underlying causes of your lower back pain. This approach ensures we can recommend the most effective treatments for lasting relief.
What is the Best Treatment to Relieve Lower Back Pain?
At Prestige Health & Wellness, we offer a range of treatments designed to relieve low back pain, improve mobility, and promote long-term recovery. Our services include:
- Chiropractic Care: Our chiropractors use spinal manipulation and mobilization techniques to reduce pain, restore function, address musculoskeletal imbalances, and promote long-term healing.
- Physical Therapy (PT): Our teams have some of the best physical therapists in NYC. Customized exercises and therapies strengthen the lower back, improve flexibility, and enhance mobility, helping to relieve pain and prevent future issues.
- Occupational Therapy (OT): Our skilled occupational therapists help with task modifications, educate on body mechanics, and provide pain management techniques to improve daily function and reduce strain.
- Massage Therapy: Other treatment options, such as massage therapy, offer a range of targeted massage techniques, like Swedish, deep tissue, and myofascial release, to help alleviate muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote relaxation for pain relief.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system and releases pain-relieving chemicals, helping to reduce discomfort and improve overall well-being.
If you’re experiencing low back pain, schedule an appointment at one of our four convenient locations: Financial District, Chelsea, or Nomad. Let our expert team create a personalized treatment plan to help you find relief and restore your mobility.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic. (2024, August 13). Lower back pain. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7936-lower-back-pain
Mayo Clinic. (2024, September 26). Back pain. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906
World Health Organization. (2023, December 7). WHO releases guidelines on chronic low back pain. https://www.who.int/news/item/07-12-2023-who-releases-guidelines-on-chronic-low-back-pain
Zalatimo, O. (2024, April 5). Low back pain. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/low-back-pain/