Taking Steps to Manage Chronic Low Back Pain

Posted on December 20th 2022

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common condition characterized by pain in the lower area of the back, i.e., the lumbar and sacroiliac regions. It may lead to difficulty in movement and maintaining a neutral position during sitting, standing, or lying. 

Low back pain (LBP) affects at least 84% of the global population and is one of the leading causes of disability. Nonspecific lower back pain accounts for over 85% of all low back pain and refers to LBP not attributable to known pathologies such as infection, fractures, osteoporosis, and other conditions.

Diagnosis

In many cases, the causes of chronic low back pain can be identified using traditional methods. Patients are generally diagnosed based on their history to formulate a specific diagnosis from clinical examinations. 

Your chiropractor will examine your back and assess your ability to stand, sit, walk or raise your legs. These tests help to determine the source of the pain and evaluate how much you can move before the pain starts to limit motion. 

Some tests used to pinpoint the causes of CLBP include:

• X-Ray – It can identify arthritis or broken bones that may be causing back pain.

• MRI - Less than 10% of cases are diagnosed with an MRI. The scans generate high-resolution images of herniated disks, muscles, tissues, and nerves.

• Blood tests – They are used to identify potential infections.

Treatment

There are various treatments available for LBP. They include:

Home Treatment

In some cases, lower back pain may dissipate after about a month of home treatment. However, for many people, it is a recurring problem that may get better but doesn’t go away entirely. 

Home treatments include the use of pain relievers and stretching exercises that target the lower back. However, most of the time, these are temporary measures as they don’t identify the root cause of the problem.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Lower back pain is so common that many people have accepted it as part of their life. There are many factors contributing to CLBP that make it almost impossible to identify the primary causes. 

For instance, most people spend the whole day hunched over their desks at work only to take some painkillers later for the pain. If you’re suffering from CLBP, it may be time to visit a chiropractor for a complete evaluation of the problem and how to manage it. 

Chiropractic adjustments offer many benefits, including:

• Managing blood pressure

• Adjustments can alleviate back and neck pain

• Reduce inflammation

• Relief for migraines and headaches

Physiotherapy

Back pain can be traced to muscular weakness and poor posture. Physical therapists teach exercises that increase flexibility, strengthen the back muscles, and improve bad posture. Using these techniques regularly can manage the pain and prevent a resurgence in the future.