Pembroke Pines Doctor Explains
Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints our patients have. It’s particularly prevalent in those between the ages of 30 and 50 and can be caused by a wide variety of factors.
Your lower back pain may be chronic or acute, and may be caused by nerve irritation, injured muscles or tendons, or a spinal issue such as spinal stenosis or a bulging disc. The appropriate treatment will largely depend on the root of your pain.
Here are some steps you can take to alleviate lower back pain.
Give Your Back A Rest
Lower back pain is often caused by physical activity. If that’s the case for you, it can be helpful to rest for a few days to let your back heal.
You may find some relief by lying on your back with a pillow placed between your knees or your legs propped on a chair at a 90-degree angle. Your back should be flat against the floor rather than arched.
Apply Ice or Heat
Both heat and ice can help depending on the type of back pain you have.
Ice reduces inflammation and numbs pain. It’s usually best for an acute injury, or for after you’ve exercised or done some physical activity that aggravates your back.
Heat is good for soothing and relaxing sore muscles. It’s best for chronic pain, and for relaxing muscles before physical activity—but not after, when it can exacerbate inflammation and make swelling worse.
Over-The-Counter Pain Relief
Medications such as Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Aleve, and others can also help your back pain, provided the root cause is muscle-related. They may not be of help for spinal degeneration problems or slipped discs. Speak to your doctor prior to taking any medication due to possible health risk.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment can be highly effective in alleviating low back pain.
Your chiropractor has many tools available to help address low back pain. Manual manipulation is one of the most common, and involves adjusting the alignment of your spine to reduce pressure on surrounding nerves and restore your range of motion.
Traction treatment can also be highly effective, especially if your pain is caused by a slipped disc. This treatment involves gently stretching your back to realign your spine, increasing the space between vertebrae to allow displaced discs to slip back into place.
Chiropractic treatment has many advantages, including the fact that it is non-invasive and without the side effects you may experience with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Are You Suffering from Lower Back Pain? An Expert Chiropractor Can Help.
Many of our patients suffer from low back pain. In our practice, we’ve helped hundreds of people restore mobility and resume a pain-free life. We can help you, too.
Call us at 954-432-5006 to schedule your consultation today.
Dr. Rush is a 1994 graduate of the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Sports Science and Wellness.
Dr. Rush earned his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in 2000 where he was honored with magna cum laude. Dr. Rush was born and raised in South Florida where he returned after graduation. He currently practices in Pembroke Pines where he owns and operates Rush Chiropractic and Rehab.
