Posted on: March 29, 2023

Are you suffering from low back pain? You're not alone. Low back pain is a common complaint, affecting millions of people worldwide. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, poor posture, and underlying medical conditions. Here are three common things that could be causing your low back pain and what you can do to find relief.

1. Poor Posture

Poor posture is a common problem for many people, especially those who work at a desk or use electronic devices for extended periods. Poor posture can cause your spine to become misaligned and place excess pressure on your lower back muscles, leading to low back pain. In addition to investing in ergonomic furniture, there are several other things you can do to improve your posture and reduce your risk of low back pain:

• Take frequent breaks: Take breaks every 30 minutes to stand up, stretch, and walk around to help reduce the strain on your back muscles.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise can help strengthen your back muscles and improve your posture. Consider incorporating exercises like yoga or Pilates into your routine to help improve your flexibility and strengthen your core.
• Use a lumbar support: A lumbar support cushion can help support your lower back and reduce the strain on your back muscles when sitting for long periods.

2. Lack of Exercise

A lack of exercise is another common cause of low back pain. Regular exercise is essential for maintaining the strength and flexibility of your back muscles, which can help prevent low back pain. Here are some exercises you can do to strengthen your back muscles and reduce your risk of low back pain:

• Planks: Planks are a great exercise for strengthening your core and back muscles. Start by getting into a push-up position with your arms straight and your feet together. Hold the position for 30-60 seconds, then rest and repeat.
• Bird dogs: Bird dogs are another great exercise for strengthening your core and back muscles. Start on your hands and knees, then extend your right arm and left leg straight out. Hold for a few seconds, then switch to the opposite arm and leg.
• Bridges: Bridges are a great exercise for strengthening your glutes and lower back muscles. Start by lying on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Lift your hips up, squeezing your glutes, and hold for a few seconds before lowering back down.

Incorporating these exercises into your routine can help strengthen your back muscles and reduce your risk of low back pain. It's important to start slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your exercises over time.

3. Injury

There are several types of injuries that can cause low back pain, including sprains, strains, and herniated discs. Sprains and strains occur when the ligaments and muscles in your back are stretched or torn. This can happen as a result of a sudden injury or from overuse. Herniated discs occur when the soft, gel-like material inside a spinal disc leaks out and puts pressure on the nerves in your back.

If you've experienced an injury, it's important to seek treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option for low back pain caused by injury. During a chiropractic treatment, your chiropractor will use spinal adjustments and other techniques to realign your spine and promote healing. Chiropractic care can help reduce pain and inflammation, improve range of motion, and restore function to your back muscles.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help

Chiropractic care is a natural and effective way to treat low back pain. At Peak Performance Sports and Spine Center, our chiropractors use a variety of techniques to help relieve pain and promote healing. Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulations, involve applying controlled force to the joints of the spine to restore proper alignment and function. This can help relieve pain and improve mobility.

Massage therapy is another technique used in chiropractic care to help relieve low back pain. Massage can help reduce tension in the muscles and increase blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing and reducing pain. Our chiropractors may also recommend other modalities, such as ultrasound therapy, electrical stimulation, or heat and ice therapy, to help relieve pain and promote healing.

In addition to treating the symptoms of low back pain, chiropractic care also addresses the underlying cause of the pain. By identifying and correcting misalignments in the spine, chiropractors can help prevent future episodes of low back pain.

Lifestyle Changes to Help Prevent Low Back Pain

Making lifestyle changes can also help prevent low back pain. One of the most effective ways to prevent low back pain is to exercise regularly. Exercise can help strengthen your back muscles, improve flexibility, and increase circulation to the affected area. Aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming, can also help improve overall health and reduce the risk of developing other health conditions that can contribute to low back pain.

Practicing good posture is another important lifestyle change to help prevent low back pain. When sitting or standing, it's important to maintain proper alignment of the spine. This means keeping your shoulders back, your chest lifted, and your feet flat on the ground. Avoid slouching or hunching over, which can put strain on your back muscles and lead to pain.

Using proper lifting techniques can also help prevent low back pain. When lifting heavy objects, it's important to use your legs, not your back, to lift. Keep your back straight and your feet shoulder-width apart, and bend at the knees to lift the object. Avoid twisting or turning while lifting, as this can put extra strain on your back muscles.

Lastly, taking frequent breaks if you spend a lot of time sitting can help prevent low back pain. Stand up, stretch, and move around every 30 minutes to keep your muscles active and prevent stiffness.

When to Seek a Professional Help

If you are experiencing low back pain that lasts longer than a few days, it's important to seek professional help. In some cases, low back pain can be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition, such as a herniated disc or spinal stenosis. If left untreated, these conditions can worsen and cause long-term pain and disability.

At Peak Performance Sports and Spine Center, our experienced chiropractors are trained to identify the underlying cause of your low back pain and develop a personalized treatment plan to help you find relief. Our non-invasive techniques, such as chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy, can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore proper function to your back muscles.

It's also important to seek professional help if your low back pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as numbness or tingling in your legs, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control. These symptoms can be a sign of a serious condition and require immediate medical attention.

Low back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including poor posture, lack of exercise, and injury. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent and treat low back pain, including chiropractic care, lifestyle changes, and seeking professional help when necessary. At Peak Performance Sports and Spine Center, our team of experienced chiropractors is dedicated to helping you find relief from low back pain through personalized treatment plans and non-invasive techniques. Don't let low back pain hold you back any longer – contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a pain-free life.

Get in touch with us today at (619) 293-3453 or email us at [email protected] to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards a pain-free life.