Seated Hamstring Stretch

This seated hamstring stretch is a gentle way to alleviate lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/gentlest-stretch-your-lower-back-pain

Lower Back Pain Triage

In the assessment of lower back pain, differential diagnosis utilizing a "triage" concept of classifying low back injuries into one of three categories helps to guide the doctor of chiropractic. Click below to read more.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-diagnosis

A chiropractic adjustment, also known as chiropractic manipulation, manual manipulation, or spinal manipulation, is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-adjustment

Pregnancy and Back Pain

Chiropractic treatments for pregnant women suffering from lower back pain has a very high success rate and can be combined with other treatments that do not include adding medications into the system.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/pregnancy-and-back-pain/treatments-low-back-pain-during-pregnancy

Lower Back Pain - Spine Manipulation Can be More Effective Than Meds

It may be easier and less time consuming to take pain medicine to help your lower back pain, but a recent study shows that spinal manipulation may be more effective.

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/chiropractic-manipulation-or-medication-low-back-pain

DIY Back Pain Massages

Do-it-yourself massage ideas to alleviate back pain!

http://www.spine-health.com/blog/how-tennis-balls-and-duct-tape-can-morph-a-do-it-yourself-massage-lower-back-pain

Lower Back Pain Diagnosises

In the assessment of lower back pain, differential diagnosis utilizing a "triage" concept of classifying low back injuries into one of three categories helps to guide the doctor of chiropractic. Click below to read more:

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-diagnosis

Shoveling Snow Can Hurt Your Back!

Using the wrong body mechanics when shoveling snow can put undue stress on the lower back and lead to a painful muscle strain, or possibly more serious back injuries.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/ergonomics/snow-shoveling-techniques-prevent-low-back-injuries

DC: What it means when your back "goes out"

The nerve supply to the spine has a relatively high threshold, writes Dr. Michael Noonan, so the pain from a back problem builds over time but can seem to come out of nowhere. The spasms generally associated with a back attack often come from the muscles protecting an inflamed or misaligned joint, where the real problem lies, Noonan writes...

(from Bangor Daily News (Maine) (free registration))

Exercise and Chiropractic Therapy

Cardiovascular and strengthening exercises combined with chiropractic care are important in the management of low back pain

If a patient has a history of heart problems, it is important for the patient to consult with not only the doctor of chiropractic but their primary care physician to be certain that they can tolerate cardiovascular fitness-promoting activities. Specific instructions are given by the chiropractor with respect to proper exercise for the patient's condition before beginning any exercise program.

In general, a reasonable amount of exercise performed daily and utilizing enjoyable activities is recommended for patients undergoing chiropractic treatment.

Exercise Benefits

Many studies have reported the importance of exercises in managing acute and chronic low back pain, strengthening the low back, preventing and keeping back patients working, and to improve quality of life. The strength of the abdominal muscles was also found to be able to differentiate between those with vs. without chronic LBP.

Overall and when combined with chiropractic care, aerobic exercise helps promote proper digestion, keeps the muscles in proper tone and promotes better circulation. Walking briskly around the block at least once or twice is a convenient and popular activity.
Also, many forms of work and/or household tasks can function as an exercise program. The important point is to exercise!

Types of Exercises

There are many applicable back exercises that are available for patients also undergoing chiropractic care for lower back pain. One can classify the chiropractic patient into a flexion or extension biased category to determine the variety that is best for that patient. For example:

- If a patient feels best when bending over (flexion biased), exercises that promote low back flexion such as pulling the knees to the chest, posterior pelvic tilts, bending forward from a sitting position and others are usually helpful.

- If a patient is least symptomatic in extension, especially if leg pain centralizes or diminishes (extension biased), prone press- up type exercises usually yield the best results.

Other exercises that can help reduce lower back pain include:

-Strengthening of the pelvic (trunk) stabilizing muscles

-Stretching of the hamstrings, adductors, and other overly short or tight postural muscles

-Proprioceptive or balance promoting.

Benefits of Back and Abdominal Exercise

Weak and/or overly tight supporting muscles can have painful spasms and suffer injuries themselves,
which then prevent them from supporting the spine as needed. Compromised muscles can also lead to problems with bone structure of the spine due to poor posture from the weak muscles, thereby creating an increased risk of back pain/ injury.

Consequently, developing combined strength in stomach muscles and back muscles can:

- Reduce the likelihood of back pain episodes

- Reduce the severity of back pain

- Protect against injury by responding efficiently to stresses

- Help avoid back surgery in some cases

- Facilitate healing from a back problem or after spine surgery

- Improve posture.

Reported Efficacy of Exercise in Chiropractic Care

According to the Scientific Commission of the Council on Chiropractic Guidelines and Practice Parameters (CCGPP):

- Strong evidence supports exercise as being at least as effective as other non-surgical treatments for chronic low back pain

- Moderate evidence supports use of a graded-activity exercise program in occupational settings for subacute lower back pain

- Some evidence shows that exercises are no more effective than other nonsurgical treatments for acute lower back pain.

As with any chiropractic treatment, it is important for chiropractors to perform a focused reevaluation of an exercise program following its initial therapeutic trial to determine its effectiveness. Using spinal range of motion as a measurement of the effectiveness of exercise is just one way in which chiropractors can make such determinations.

Learn more about exercise and back pain. Visit http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/back-exercises

VIDEO: Sacroiliac Joint

Sacroiliac joint problems can cause lower back pain and/or leg pain and is often treated first with chiropractic care.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/chiropractic-adjustment-sacroiliac-joint-video

Mattress Guidelines for Sleep Comfort

The right mattress can really help one have a good night's sleep and wake up feeling rested and refreshed. Sleeping on the wrong mattress can cause sleeplessness, back pain, and overall aches and pains. For people with a back problem, a mattress that isn't a good fit can make the pain worse.

When searching for the best mattress, remember that mattresses are largely a matter of personal preference. There is no single type of mattress or bed that works well for all people, and there is no best mattress for back problems. Likewise, there
is no single sleep position known to be best for all people. This is due to several factors:

- There are many causes of back problems, and different back conditions may respond better to specific types of beds, mattresses and sleep positions.

- There is a high degree of personal preference for mattresses, and what works well for one person may not work well for another.

- There is very limited scientific study published on mattresses and back pain, and findings from the studies that have been completed are inconclusive.

- Overall, the causes of back pain can be quite complex, and it’s difficult to isolate whether or not a person's mattress has played a significant role in improving the pain or making it worse.

The bottom line is that the type of mattress that is best for any particular person is really a matter of personal preference.

The type of mattress one uses is not the only factor for patients with pain and sleep difficulty. Many other factors need to be considered that may affect sleep, including:

- Medication side effects

- Irregular sleep patterns

- Caffeine/alcohol/tobacco use

- Sleep apnea

- Anxiety/stress

If comfort is not the only thing making sleep difficult, it is advisable for the patient to consult his or her family physician to discuss other possible causes and treatments for sleeplessness.

Experiencing significant or persistent back pain may indicate an underlying back condition that has nothing to do with the mattress. It is always advisable for people with back pain to consult with a health care provider for a thorough exam, diagnosis, and treatment program.

As a reminder, sleep comfort is first and foremost a matter of personal preference. No one should expect that switching mattresses or beds will cure their lower back pain, and changes in the type of bed or mattress used should be made solely for the sake of comfort.

Sleep Positions for Back Conditions

An important factor that can influence individual preferences for mattresses, beds and sleeping positions is the specific back condition a person has. For example:

- Osteoarthritis. Patients with pain from osteoarthritis of the facet joints may prefer to sleep on their sides with their knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps open up the facet joints in the spine and can relieve any corresponding pressure. Alternatively, sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to be elevated can also relieve pressure on the facet joints.

- Degenerative Disc Disease. Patients with pain from degenerative disc disease may prefer to sleep on their stomach as this can relieve pressure on the disc space. Patients may feel most comfortable using a relatively firm mattress and placing a flat pillow under the stomach and hips, which can further reduce stress on the lower back.

- Spinal Stenosis. People with pain from spinal stenosis may prefer to sleep on their sides with their knees curled up (in the fetal position). This helps relieve pressure on the nerve root. Sleeping in a reclining chair or an adjustable bed that allows the head and knees to be elevated can also relieve pressure on the nerve.

- Bursitis. Patients who have inflammation of the bursa over their hips (greater trochanteric bursitis) can be especially susceptible to pain from a mattress that is too firm. If the mattress is too hard, a new mattress with thick padding on top, or placing an egg crate foam
mattress cover over the old mattress, can help provide some relief from the firmness.

- Hip Pain. Patients with hip pain who sleep on their sides can usually find some pain relief by placing a pillow between their knees. This decreases stress across the hip.

- Herniated Lumbar Disc. The most comfortable sleep position depends on the position of the disc. For a paracentral disc herniation (most common), patients will tend to do better lying on their stomach. For a foraminal herniated disc, sleeping on the side in a fetal position is usually better tolerated.

In general, elevating the knees slightly by placing a pillow under them while lying on the back can help many general forms of low back pain. Many patients also find that this is the most comfortable way to sleep after spine surgery.

Learn more about getting a good night’s sleep. Visit http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/sleep/mattress-guidelines-sleep-comfort

Chiropratic: Lower Back & Buttocks Pain

For patients with lower back or buttock pain that stems from the sacroiliac joint, a variety of chiropractic procedures can be applied and are often considered the first line of treatment.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/sacroiliac-joint-dysfunction/chiropractic-procedures-sacroiliac-joint

Is Chiro Adjustment a Good Pain Reliever?

Scientific evidence has indicated that spinal manipulation is a safe, mild-to-moderate pain reliever for lower back pain, neck pain and headache, and recent health care guidelines have listed it as a viable treatment option for symptoms that do not respond to self-care.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/evolution-chiropractic-medicine-health-care

Pregnancy & Back Pain Treatments for Lower Back Pain

Chiropractic treatments for pregnant women suffering from lower back pain has a very high success rate and can be combined with other treatments that do not include adding medications into the system.

http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/pregnancy-and-back-pain/treatments-low-back-pain-during-pregnancy

Treating Pulled Muscles and Lower Back Strain

The majority of acute lower back pain episodes are caused by muscle strain (pulled muscles) and sprain. Fortunately, back muscle strains usually heal with time, often within a few days and almost all resolving within 3 to 4 weeks. Learn more about the causes of and treatments available for low back strain.

Featured Article:
Pulled Back Muscle Treatment


More Information

Pulled Back Muscle and Lower Back Strain
When the muscles or ligaments in the low back are strained or torn, the area around the muscles will become inflamed. This leads to back spasm, which can cause both severe lower back pain and difficulty moving. Learn more...

Back Care for Lower Back Pain
It is often advisable for patients to employ back care on their own early in the course of low back pain. Do-it-yourself back care can include rest, over-the counter medications, and ice/heat therapy. Learn more...

Lower Back Pain Treatment
Treatment for lower back pain depends upon the patient's history and the type and severity of pain. The vast majority of lower back pain cases get better within six weeks, though surgery may be an option if pain persists. Learn more...

Lower Back Strain Video

Lower Back Strain

Lower back strain is acute pain caused by damage to the muscles and ligaments of the back. It is often referred to as a pulled muscle. Learn more about the muscles affected by and symptoms of lower back strain.

Start watching...

In the assessment of lower back pain, differential diagnosis utilizing a "triage" concept of classifying low back injuries into one of three categories helps to guide the doctor of chiropractic.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-diagnosis

Hamstring Stretches for Sciatica/Lower Back Pain Relief

Most low back pain and sciatica problems will benefit from a regular routine of hamstring stretching. Read all about it and check out the videos, too.

http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/hamstring-stretching-exercises-sciatica-pain-relief

Chiro Refresher: Chiropractic Manipulation

Chiropractic manipulation refers to a chiropractor applying manipulation to the vertebrae that have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. Chiropractic manipulation (also known as chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation), is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain.

http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic/chiropractic-manipulation

Sacroiliac Joint Issues

Sacroiliac joint problems can cause lower back pain and/or leg pain and is often treated first with chiropractic care.

http://www.spine-health.com/video/chiropractic-adjustment-sacroiliac-joint-video