If you are dealing with low back pain, you're in good company. Approximately 80% of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is the most common reason for missed work days as well as injuries sustained on the job. It's a condition that doesn't discriminate either, with men and women equally as likely to develop it.
Where does this pain come from? There are a few likely sources – some that are faster to heal, and some that are chronic degenerative conditions:
- Muscle strain or ligament sprain – These injuries are often due to overuse or improper lifting technique
- Osteoarthritis – Degeneration of the discs and joints of the spine
- Compression of discs – This can lead to loss of normal disc height which can put pressure on the spinal cord or delicate nerve roots
- Scoliosis – Low back pain may result from a significant curvature of the spine
When looking for treatment options, it's important to consider the spine as a whole. In order to properly rid yourself of low back pain, you need to pinpoint the root cause of the condition.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and lower back pain and sciatica download our complimentary e-book
Your Neck Is Connected to Your Low Back
In many cases, the cause of lower back pain can be traced up to the top of the spine—the neck. While this might seem strange at first, the entire spine is connected and works together to protect your spinal cord. When the uppermost vertebra in the neck, your atlas, is out of alignment, it creates abnormal spinal cord tension which leads to a disturbance of signals being sent between the brain and body over the nerves. The misalignment of the atlas can cause lower back pain because it causes abnormal muscle tension on one side of the body. When the head is tilted, it causes the shoulders and hips to become unlevel, which can easily trigger low back pain and discomfort.
In a case such as this, treatments to the lower back might provide some temporary relief. However, since the real source of the problem is coming from the upper neck, that is what needs to be corrected in order to realize a more permanent solution. At Mountain State Wellness, we are focused on finding the root cause of the problem, which is the way to obtain lasting results. Our upper cervical approach is extremely precise and gentle and can lead to the resolution of chronic low back pain.
References:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.htm
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Lucas Watterson or Dr. Amy Watterson call our Morgantown office at 304-292-7740 You can also click the button below.
