Back Pain in Toledo

Do you have back pain in Toledo? Whether it is your upper, middle, or lower back, it is likely that you will experience some form of back pain at some point in your life. In fact, it is estimated that nearly 32 million Americans are experiencing back pain at this moment and that approximately 80% of the population will experience some form of back pain in their lifetime. With these types of numbers, it’s not surprising that back pain has grown to be the #1 cause of disability in the United States. These statistics should stimulate concern regarding what causes lower back pain, how to prevent it, and what the best form of treatment is once it has developed. Our Toledo chiropractic team aims to guide you in the right direction to answer these questions and more.

Back Pain in Toledo

The number of injuries, misalignments, and conditions that cause back pain seems endless. Due to the complex structure of the back, which absorbs stress while permitting movement, tendons, ligaments, discs, muscles, and bones can become irritated or damaged. Sometimes severe trauma such as a car accident causes back pain; other times minor repetitive stress causes damage, and the person may not recall a specific event. Physical injury is not always the primary cause: conditions such as obesity, arthritis, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections have also been shown to cause lower-back symptoms. An accurate diagnosis helps direct care. Our doctors use their education and experience to determine a diagnosis and appropriate care.

Common causes include:

Disc bulges or herniations

Not all disc bulges or herniations cause pain. The clinic notes that imaging studies have found disc bulges in many people without symptoms, while people who do have symptoms may describe severe pain. Symptoms depend on the type and position of the herniation. If a damaged disc irritates a surrounding nerve, shooting pain and weakness in the legs may occur. A disc can be compared to a jelly doughnut: damage to its outer edges may allow the inner material to move outward and affect nearby structures. The clinic notes that chiropractic care may help provide relief from associated pain.

Subluxations

a subluxation as a vertebra that is out of position. It says that when normal movement is disrupted, pain and other effects may occur. Possible contributing factors listed include physical trauma and stress. It says the time needed to address subluxations varies by person.

Muscular sprains and tendon or ligament strains

Sprains and strains can occur when a person begins a task or activity that overworks tissues, such as attempting a long run without preparation. Ligament sprains may occur when a ligament is stretched beyond its limits; muscle strains commonly involve heavy lifting and twisting. The clinic notes that back strains and sprains may involve pain, swelling, and bruising, and describes the clinic as equipped to treat these injuries.

Stress and back pain

The clinic discusses the body's stress response, including changes in heart rate, blood pressure, immune response, bone density, and muscle mass. It says prolonged stress may contribute to several health concerns, including back pain. Muscle tension may produce trigger points, which the clinic says it treats.

Can chiropractic help my back pain?

The clinic notes that that treatment depends on identifying contributing factors and describes chiropractic care as a conservative, non-invasive approach to consider. If you have back pain or questions about care, contact the Toledo office to schedule a consultation.