What causes back pain?
Many people will suffer from back pain at some point in their life, largely because there are so many different causes of it. These include:
Sciatica
If you feel pain primarily in your lower back and it sometimes radiates down your hip and leg, you could be suffering from sciatica. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched. It can be caused by:
- Stenosis, the narrowing of your spine in your low back
- Degenerative disc disease, which can cause herniated discs
- Muscle spasm
- Spondylolisthesis, a condition in which one of your vertebrae slips forward
Pregnancy
Disc bulge
The discs in your spine cushion your vertebrae. This puts them under regular pressure and, sometimes, that pressure will cause a disc to bulge into a nerve. Your body reads that pressure on the nerve as back pain.
Obesity
As your body carries around additional weight, that weight can take its toll on the joints, muscles, ligaments, and more. In fact, obesity is linked to an increase in spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and arthritis.
When should I see a doctor?
While it is possible to strain your back and have the pain go away on its own, sometimes medical intervention is needed to help you fully heal. For example, while sciatic pain can sometimes go away on its own, treatment can help it dissipate much more quickly.
If your pain continues for more than two weeks, doesn’t seem to be improving as you rest, spreads, or causes tingling, it’s time to talk to a medical professional.
How is back pain treated?
Effectively treating back pain comes down to finding the cause and treating it directly. Chiropractic care can often help since it restores spinal functionality. The chiropractors at CITY Health Services are experienced in offering chiropractic care to treat back pain and sciatica.
Once your spine is working the way it should, your nerves will be better protected, your discs and soft tissue can heal, and you’ll be left with reduced pain and improved stability.
If obesity is at the root of your pain, CITY Health Services offers a medical weight loss program. That program includes:
- Expert medical supervision and guidance
- Body fat analysis
- Nutrition and exercise counseling
- A customized weight loss plan
- Vitamin injections
- Individualized attention and accountability
CITY Health Services can also use human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone to help you minimize your cravings and speed your weight loss.
No matter the cause of your back pain, if you’d like to get started with your accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, call CITY Health Services or book your appointment online today.