Low back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability in the United States. Almost 80% of adults will experience low back pain at some point in their life. The most common risk factors for low back pain include the following:
- Occupation - Jobs that require heavy lifting, twisting, pulling can all put added stress on the spine. Desk jobs can also lead to low back pain if you are sitting for an excessive period of time and/or you have poor posture
- Age - Those between 30-50 are most likely to complain of low back pain
- Fitness level - Those who are not physically fit tend to experience more low back pain. Strong abdominal and back muscles help provide proper spinal support.
- Weight Gain - Those who are overweight tend to have more back pain due to increased stress on the spine.
- Pregnancy - In pregnancy, the ligaments in the pelvis become looser, and weight gain is rapid. These two processes can lead to increased back pain.
Management of sciatica can vary, but pain medication, physical therapy, and surgery are three of the traditional options. While these may alleviate symptoms, they do not address the root cause of some types of low back pain.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and low back pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
How is Low Back Pain Related to Neck?
Your spinal cord sends signals to and from your brain. Your nerves branch off from your brain and spinal cord. Your spine is designed to protect your vital spinal cord. When the top bone in your spine (atlas) is out of alignment, it creates spinal cord tension. This tension leads to the signals becoming distorted. Improper signals can lead to postural imbalance, pain, and muscle spasms. One of the ways an atlas misalignment can create low back pain is through postural imbalance. Muscle tension can increase on one side of the body, causing one hip to be higher than the other. This causes one leg to be slightly shorter than the other.
I am trained in QSM3 and NUCCA, two precise chiropractic techniques. Through the use of these approaches, I am able to gently realign the atlas, reducing pressure within the spinal cord. This leads to proper signals being sent to and from the brain, potentially creating balanced posture. Less muscle tension leads to even hips, possibly reducing low back pain symptoms.
Chung et al. described a case study of a 57-year-old man who experienced sciatica down both legs, along with other health issues. After approximately one month of NUCCA care, his sciatica pain reduced by 90%. After 2 months of care, he experienced complete resolution of his sciatica (2).
If you are experiencing low back pain and would like more information on how QSM3 and NUCCA can help, give Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Sacramento a call at (916) 965-7155.
References
- Ninds.nih.gov. Low Back Pain Fact Sheet [Internet]. 2016 [cited 13 January 2016]. Available from: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/backpain/detail_backpain.html
- Chung J, Brown J, Busa J. Resolution of Hypertension Following Reduction of Upper Cervical Vertebral Subluxation: A Case Study. J Upper Cerv Chiro Res [Internet]. 2014 [cited 13 January 2016];2014(January):1-6. Available from: http://www.mccoypress.net/juccr/docs/2014-1272_hypertension.pdf
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