Back Pain Treatment Phoenix AZ

Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints, discs or other structures in the spine.

Back pain may have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. Back pain may radiate into the legs or feet, and may include symptoms other than pain. These symptoms may include tingling, weakness or numbness.

Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints. In the U.S., acute low back pain (also called lumbago) is the fifth most common reason for physician visits. About nine out of ten adults experience back pain at some point in their life, and five out of ten working adults have back pain every year.

The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain. While sports injuries or accidents can cause back pain, sometimes the simplest of movements—for example, picking up a pencil from the floor— can result in painful back pain. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychological stress can cause or complicate back pain. Back pain can also directly result from disease of the internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or bone loss.

Tips to Prevent Back Pain

• Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
• Remain active—under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
• Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
• Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities, such as gardening.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
• Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
• Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
• Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.
  
  

Click HERE, for back pain treatment options in Phoenix, AZ.

Posture Matters

May is National Posture Month, which is good timing because in today's overworked, technology- and convenience-driven society, posture has taken a big hit lately. Let's review a few of the common causes – and how you can address them to ensure you avoid posture-related health issues, now and down the road:

Problem #1: Screen Staring: Case in point – you're reading this article right now on a screen, whether a personal computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone. You're staring into that tiny (in some cases, really tiny) screen, reading tiny words and looking at tiny images. What happens to your body? Your neck cranes forward, your shoulders slump and hunch; in a nutshell, your posture goes into the tank.  And other computer-related activities that have become so commonplace in our society, like text messaging and video game-playing, only compound the problem.

The Fix: Limit screen time; take small breaks when typing; be aware of how your posture changes when you're using a computer, phone, etc., so you can adjust accordingly.

Problem #2:  Sit on This. We're at work all day and on the couch all night. We're increasingly sedentary and increasingly obese - a bad combination that puts our posture at risk. Let's start with the workplace: Is your chair provide adequate support for your low back? Is your computer / keyboard positioned appropriately so your shoulders don't drop? And what about at home? Do you slump into a recliner or couch and watch reality television night after night, with no regard for your posture? Bad, bad and more bad.

The Fix: Sit less, move more; make sure your chair and keyboard are properly positioned such that your low back is supported and you can type / view the screen without slumping forward. Think about your mattress / pillow as well; are they giving you the support you need?

Problem #3:  Ignorance Isn't Bliss. Too many people don't think about their posture in the first place. Trust us, it takes conscious effort and awareness. When we're busy, tired or just plain distracted, our posture tends to suffer – we forget to stand tall and sit upright, and our spine pays the price, leading to needless pain.

The Fix: Don't ignore your posture! Whether you're walking, sitting or lying down, think about your posture. Stand tall, sit straight, look straight ahead, and remind yourself constantly that good posture = good health.

JAMA Suggests Chiropractic for Low Back Pain

JAMA Suggests Chiropractic for Low Back Pain

Chiropractic Physicians Provide Natural Alternatives for Pain Treatment, Injury Prevention

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggests patients try chiropractic services for the treatment of low back pain. According to the article, surgery is not usually needed and should only be considered if more conservative therapies fail. The information in JAMA reinforces the American Chiropractic Association’s (ACA) position that conservative care options should serve as a first line of defense against pain.

The article, part of JAMA’s Patient Page public education series, explains that the back is made up of bones, nerves, muscles and other soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons that support posture and give the body flexibility. Back pain can be caused by problems with any of the structures in the back.

As neuromusculoskeletal experts, chiropractic physicians are particularly well suited to manage and help prevent low back pain.

“We are encouraged to see JAMA suggest patients try chiropractic and other more conservative types of treatment for their back pain. In many cases pain can be alleviated without the use of unnecessary drugs or surgery, so it makes sense to exhaust conservative options first,” said ACA President Keith Overland, DC.

“Research confirms that the services provided by chiropractic physicians are not only clinically effective but also cost-effective, so taking a more conservative approach at the onset of low back pain can also potentially save both patients and the health care system money down the line,” he added.

For those who are currently pain-free, the exercise tips, posture recommendations and guidance on injury prevention routinely provided by chiropractic physicians can help people maintain a healthy back throughout their lives.