Low back pain is a condition that plagues almost everyone at some point in life. It can range from a dull ache to pain that is incredibly sharp. The pain can get worse with movement or can be particularly bad when sitting or lying down. No matter how your break it down, low back pain can be difficult to manage, especially when it lasts for more than a day or two.
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Risk Factors for Low Back Pain
There are certain factors to look at that might be contributing to the risk of the development of back pain, including:
- On the job risks – If your job requires repetitive movements such as bending, twisting, or lifting, it can increase your risk of developing back pain. Jobs that involve either long periods of standing or sitting in a chair can also put undue strain on the lower back.
- Sedentary lifestyle – Not getting regular exercise not only increases the risk of developing lower back pain but also increases the severity of the pain as well.
- Getting older – While there’s nothing we can do about aging, if the spine is not cared for properly, then the risk of developing back pain increases as we grow older due to wear and tear and degeneration.
- Being overweight – Carrying excess weight can put more strain on the joints and tissues of the lower back, which can lead to pain and discomfort down the road.
No matter the cause of your back pain, identifying a solution that is more than just temporary should be a top priority. Upper cervical chiropractic is a branch of chiropractic care that looks at a root cause of many back pain cases.
How Is My Low Back Pain Related to My Neck?
Your spine has the important job of providing protection for the spinal cord, which sends signals to and from the brain. When the uppermost vertebra in the spine (the atlas) misaligns, it creates abnormal tension on the spinal cord. This can lead to the disruption of normal brain-body signals, which can cause pain, postural imbalance, and muscle spasms. The imbalance and spasms can cause compensations to occur throughout the spine and hips, leading to lower back pain.
Upper cervical chiropractic care addresses this root cause of lower back pain by checking for an atlas misalignment. If your atlas is not in its normal position, it can be causing your lower back pain. Once the atlas position is corrected with a precise, gentle upper cervical adjustment, then the compensations that were occurring can clear up. Reducing the postural imbalance and muscle spasms can allow for equal weight bearing and a resolution of stubborn low back pain.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/basics/risk-factors/con-20020797
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If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.