Low Back Pain

Back pain is perhaps one of the most common health complaints across the globe. Worldwide, 1 in 10 people suffer from lower back pain, and it's the No. 1 cause of job disability. Low back pain (LBP) is typically preceded by some form of injury or strain, such as lifting an object or twisting while holding something heavy, operating vibrating machinery; car collisions, or falls.  Prolonged sitting is also on this list, which may explain why simply standing up more is part of the solution in many cases. There are a number of tests used to diagnose LBP, as well as a number of ways to manage such pain. This includes:  controlling inflammation, restoring range of motion, improving muscle strength and endurance, coordination training and cardiovascular reconditioning, maintaining an exercise program.  As you can see from the list above, the emphasis is on exercise. Indeed movement appears to be the most effective strategy to address most forms of back pain, not just LBP. Most people automatically want to "baby" the pain and avoid moving about as much as possible, but this may actually be contraindicated in most cases. Sciatic nerve pain is another common problem. Sciatica results when your sciatic nerve gets pinched in your lower back, but the pain is typically felt as originating in your buttock, radiating down your thigh. Stretching exercises can be helpful here as well. Your sciatic nerve runs through your piriformis, a muscle located deep in your butt cheeks. If the piriformis gets too tight, it can impinge the sciatic nerve, causing pain, tingling, and numbness in your leg. Sometimes, stretching your piriformis may be enough to reduce the pain. In addition, deep massage of the piriformis muscle as done with a foam roller is also very helpful.  Many studies have confirmed that chiropractic management is much safer and less expensive than allopathic medical treatments, especially when used for back pain. Qualified chiropractic physicians are reliable, as they have received extensive training in the management of musculoskeletal disorders during their course of graduate healthcare training, which lasts between four to six years.  A chiropractor’s gentle adjustments either performed by hand or instrument are designed to put motion in the spinal joints, removing joint fixations, balancing muscle asymmetry and decreasing irritations placed on the spinal nerves. This allows the injured muscle tissue to heal at a much faster rate than if left alone for nature to take its course.  Chiropractic care’s greatest virtue, as far as back pain goes, is the balancing of the spinal muscles.  Balanced spinal muscles bring stability to the spine.  The more stable your back muscles are, the less chance of re-injury.  This is one of the reasons why people use chiropractic care on a regular periodic basis, sort of like a dental cleaning appointment. 

One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is lower back pain. Typical medical treatment for lower back pain is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and Tylenol. Chiropractic care is a natural fit for pregnancy related lower back pain, as chiropractic is 100% drug free and harmless to the pregnant mother and unborn child.

Dr. J. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor in Smithville, NJ. Dr. Zimmerman has over 30 years of chiropractic, health, nutrition and exercise experience

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Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.