Dr. Smith addresses Low Back Pain through a combination of stretching, strengthening, chiropractic adjustments, massage, dry needling, and more. Your treatment regimen should be as unique as you are and tailored to your specific needs. If you are seeking treatment for Low Pack Pain in Placitas or the surrounding areas of Bernalillo, Rio Rancho, Abq, or Santa Fe call or schedule online.
Treating Back Pain | Abq
Low Back Pain
The low back, or lumbar area, serves a number of important functions for the human body. These include structural support, movement, and protection of the abdominal organs.
When we stand, the lower back supports the weight of the upper body. When we bend, extend, or rotate the lower back provides strength and stability for the movement. Injury to the weight bearing structures, such as the bony spine, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, is often quite painful and limiting to mobility.
How We Develop Low Back Pain
There are many potential causes of low back pain. Depending on the specific etiology of your pain, we will craft a targeted treatment appropriate for you.
- Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain
- Disc Injury or Aggravation
- Sacroiliac Joint Inflammation
- Facet Joint Irritation
- Hip Flexor Contraction
Back Pain Treatment Options
Low back pain relief can be elusive, and it helps to know all your options. Whether it was brought on by arthritis, a structural or nerve problem, bending the wrong way, or lifting something a little too heavy, low back pain is often frustrating.
Dr. Smith understands this and will do his best to educate you while he treats your pain. His goal is to empower you to effectively manage your pain at home. He incorporates core strengthening, stretching, deep tissue massage, chiropractic adjustments, and electrical modalities into his treatments. Expect to leave with homework!
When it comes to low back pain, there is no one size fits all treatment. That being said:
- Core strengthening is almost always helpful
- Improving workplace ergonomics can quickly provide a lot of needed relief
- Wearing supportive shoes can reduce stress on the hips and low back
- Regular stretching is often helpful
- If your problem is acute, use ice rather than heat. Let’s not make it worse.
The Chiropractic Approach
The chiropractic approach to treating low back pain is to find the source of the back pain and correct it, not just treat the symptoms. This ensures that the body can heal naturally. Low back pain often responds dramatically to the correction of vertebrae positioning and the restoration of normal motion.
Chiropractors use spinal manipulations or adjustments to precisely apply a directed force to the vertebrae that are immobile or out of position. This helps to restore mobility, take pressure off of sensitive structures, and evacuate inflammation from the area.
Additionally, your chiropractor may suggest adding exercises, hot or cold compresses, or massage to compliment your adjustments. It may also be helpful to consider some lifestyle changes such as healthier eating and stress reduction techniques.
Low back problems are more common for people who are in poor physical condition and those with jobs that include heavy lifting, long periods of sitting, standing or lots of bending. Emotional stress or long periods of inactivity may intensify symptoms or trigger the appearance of previous problems.
It is important to have back pain treated early. Waiting until the pain is unbearable or immobilizing is not only unhealthy but may end up costing more time, stress, and money in the long run.