Bottom Line:

It’s been estimated that over 90% of us will deal with low back pain at some point in our life. So, you may be wondering why. What causes most of us to deal with lower back pain? How we move our body, previous injuries, and the habits we do (or don’t do) each day can play a huge role in either increasing or decreasing your risk of an aching back.

Why it Matters:

Low back pain occurs when joints of your spine become overloaded beyond normal limits. This can happen in an instant (lifting heavy weight incorrectly) or can happen over a long period (poor posture, too much sitting). Most of us try to remember to use proper posture when lifting heavy items. But, did you know the risks associated with sitting? Researchers have recently discovered that long periods of sitting may be as harmful as smoking. Extended periods of sitting increase your risk of back pain by de-conditioning the muscles supporting your spine. Studies have also found that sitting can contribute to health concerns like increased blood pressure, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

• Low back pain can happen in an instant due to an injury, or it can creep in over a long period due to your daily habits.
• Extended periods of sitting are one of the top reasons for not only back pain but also health issues like obesity and heart disease.
• Taking a proactive approach with a daily exercise routine and stretching at work can help you reduce your risk of encountering low back pain

Next Steps:

Paying attention to how you move your body is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of back pain. Your job may require you to be at a computer all day, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take positive steps towards better health. Standing up every 30 minutes, stretching at lunch, and having a comfortable lumbar support are all ways to increase your energy level while decreasing the likelihood of experiencing back pain.

Science Source: What are the risks of sitting too much? Mayo Clinic 2018

The post The Top Causes of Low Back Pain appeared first on Optimal Wellness Chiropractic.

Bottom Line:

Nearly everyone will have back pain at some point in their life, but with sciatica, you’ll know something is different right away. Pain that begins in your back travels down to your buttocks, and shoots down your leg is a classic sign of sciatica. The shooting pain down your leg is caused by compression on one of the nerves exiting your spine. Even a small amount of pressure can cause a tremendous amount of pain, so getting rid of the inflammation and opening up space, the nerve is essential to find relief.

Why it Matters:

Pinching, or compression on a spinal nerve can occur because of an injury to one of your spinal discs (such as disc herniation) or the development of a bone spur. Either way, it’s likely to cause pain and discomfort until you can decrease the inflammation, open up space for the nerve, or improve the movement of your spinal joints.

• Sciatica occurs when a spinal nerve gets pinched by a disc, bone spur, or ligament and can cause pain that travels down the buttocks and leg.
• Research has discovered that 60% of people with sciatica benefitted from chiropractic adjustments to the same degree as if they underwent surgical intervention (without any of the risks!).
• Exercise and rehab can help strengthen the muscles supporting your spine and reduce the likelihood of a relapse.

Next Steps:

Pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs can be scary. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult with our office right away. Top research publications have shown that people struggling with sciatica can get fantastic results with chiropractic care. Reach out today to discover if the techniques we offer in our practice can help you get on the road to relief.

Science Source:

Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. JMPT 2010

The post What is Sciatica? appeared first on Optimal Wellness Chiropractic.

To improve one’s low back pain they must first strengthen and keep their core muscles strong!

OUR APPROACH

And second, if you’re tired of taking constant pain medication to constantly treat the symptoms of your back pain.   Whether you’ve exhausted medical methods or are just starting to look for a natural way to eliminate your symptoms.  Contact Optimal Wellness Chiropractic on 9726 0098 to find out how we can help.

Alternatively, you can even click on the link below to my personal online appointment book and schedule a free 15-minute phone call.

The post Got Back Pain? Try This appeared first on Optimal Wellness Chiropractic.