Low back pain (LBP) can arise from discs, nerves, joints, and the surrounding soft tissues. To simplify the task of determining “What is causing my Low Back Pain?” the Quebec Task Force recommends that LBP be divided into three main categories. 1) Mechanical low back pain; 2) Nerve root-related back pain, and 3) Pathology or fracture. We will address the first two, as they are most commonly managed by chiropractors.
An accurate diagnosis is necessary to get the best treatment for your low back pain. This avoids time wasted treating an unrelated condition. Also, it increases your chance of recovering with less residual scar tissue or compensation patterns. The “correct” diagnosis allows chiropractic treatment to be focused and specific so that it will yield the best results.
Mechanical Low Back Pain
Mechanical LBP is the most commonly seen type of back pain. It includes sprains, strains, facet, syndrome, and sacroiliac (SI) syndrome. The main difference between this and nerve root-related LBP is the ABSENCE of a pinched nerve. Mechanical LBP typically does NOT radiate beyond the knee and normally does not cause weakness in the leg.
Both types of back pain can occur when a person does too much, maintains an awkward position for too long, or overbends, lifts, and/or twists incorrectly. LBP can also happen for seemingly no reason at all. In most cases, though there are often a series of “micro-traumas” extending over time that may be the cause of a person’s current lLBPpain issues.
Nerve Related LBP
Nerve root-related low back pain is less common but more severe. Pain from a pinched nerve is often very sharp, radiates to the foot, and causes numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness. The location of the weakness depends on which nerve is pinched. Think of the nerve as a wire to a light bulb. The switch of the nerve is located in the spine where the nerve exits. When the switch is turned on (the nerve is pinched), and the “light” turns on (symptoms in the foot). There are seven nerves that supply our leg, so usually, a very specific location “lights up” with a pinched nerve.
Determining the cause of your LBP helps your chiropractor know where to treat it and how to get you the best results. Call or stop by our office if you are searching for chiropractic low back pain relief in North Dallas!
