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Back Pain
What is back pain?
Back problems can be caused by an extraordinarily wide range
of problems – some of them originating elsewhere in the
body, but with pain being transmitted (referred) to areas
of the back by the nervous system. Back pain is one of the
most common reasons people seek medical attention. It is the
symptom that prompts most patients who get chiropractic care.
The majority of backache sufferers complain of pain in the
lower back; the second most common site of discomfort is the
base of the neck.
Who suffers from
back pain?
Virtually all human beings are subject to
back problems. The fact that humans walk upright, on two legs,
puts great pressure on the spine and muscles that support
it. Over time, back pain is all but inevitable. Normal wear
and tear, accidents, disease, and such bad "back habits" as
unnecessary strain from overexertion at play or work (especially
lifting, pushing, pulling, and reaching for things improperly),
and poor standing and sitting posture result in both immediate
and long-term back problems.
What can chiropractic
do?
Chiropractors successfully treat subluxation
(a complex of functional and/or structural changes in joints,
which can interfere with nerve transmission, disturb other
organ systems and undermine general health). Spinal subluxations
may have symptoms localized in some part of the back or may
radiate down to the buttocks, thighs and legs. Chiropractors
also treat tension that can show up as backaches and/or headaches
or pains elsewhere in the body.
Doctors of chiropractic draw upon a wealth
of knowledge and experience with treating and preventing back
pain and back injuries. Soothing and pain-reducing spinal
adjustments have been developed over the last century, during
which chiropractors have practiced, improved and refined their
techniques.
The chiropractic approach is similar to the clinical practice
guidelines of the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.
That is, doctors of chiropractic not only treat the pain,
they try to keep patients engaging in their normal activities
rather than resting immobile in bed, which can actually cause
further debilitation. And, of course, chiropractors do not
rely on surgery, hospitalization and medication that can be
both dangerous and needlessly costly for patients and their
insurance providers.
Other Resources :
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References
• Hurwitz EL. The relative impact of chiropractic vs.
medical management of low back pain on health status in a
multispecialty group practice. Journal of Manipulative
and Physiological Therapeutics, Feb. 1994; vol. 17, no.
2 pp74-82.
• Shekelle PG, Markovich M, Louie R. Comparing the costs
between provider types in episodes of back pain care. Spine,
1995; vol. 20, no. 2, pp221-27.
• Shekelle PG, Markovich M, Louie R. An epidemiologic
study of episodes of back pain care. Spine, 1995; vol.
20, no. 15, pp1668-73.
• Carey TS, Evans A, Hadler N, et al. Care-seeking among
individuals with chronic low back pain. Spine, 1995;
vol. 20, pp312-17.
• Hurwitz EL, Morgenstern H. The effects of comorbidity
and other factors in medical versus chiropractic care
for back problems. Spine, 1997; vol. 22, no. 19 pp2254-64.
• Ratti N, Pilling K. Back pain in the workplace. British
Journal of Rheumatology, 1997; vol. 36, no. 2, pp.260-64.
• Bigos S, Bowyer O, Braen G, et al. Acute low back
problems in adults. Clinical practice guideline number
14. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research publication
no. 95-0643. Rockville, Md., Public Health Service, US Dept
of Health and Human Services, 1994.
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