Page 62 - Harnett Life Fall 2018

Low Back Pain

By Ryan Beck D.C. QNCP

The holidays will be here before you know it and that means
that almost everyone’s schedule will be more busy and cha-
otic than normal. There will be meals to plan, school plays
to attend, huge presents to assemble, and end-of-season
yard work to finish, among many other things. We can get
so busy with all of the extra stuff going on that we some-
times neglect our own health and wellbeing. All of these
activities can take a significant toll on your body, and espe-
cially your low back.

It does not really surprise me, with what I do for a living,
but it may surprise you to know that low back pain is the
second most common reason that people see their doctor. It
is also one of the most common causes of lost work time
and productivity, as well as the number one reason for
job-related disability in the US.

I am mainly talking about acute low back pain here, which
is pain that generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks.
This is usually mechanical in nature, meaning it is the result
of trauma or a condition such as arthritis. Chronic low back
pain is different in that the pain has persisted for longer
than three months and the cause may be more difficult to
determine.

There are several risk factors that make certain people more
likely to become victims of low back pain. These include
increased age, prior history of low back injury, osteoporo-
sis, smoking, poor posture, lack of exercise and obesity.

Acute low back pain is usually noticed after a sports injury, As with most medical conditions, prevention is truly the
lifting something heavy, a car accident or similar event. It best medicine. By keeping yourself healthy and preventing
may be accompanied by muscle aches, limited flexibility, as many of the risk factors mentioned above as you can, you
and shooting or stabbing pains. Occasionally it may also will go a long way to keeping your low back in good shape.
cause pain or weakness to radiate into one or both legs You should stop smoking if you currently do, lose weight,
which may be more serious and should be assessed by your begin an exercise program, use proper lifting technique and
doctor as soon as possible. Also, if your pain does not ease improve your posture. Your chiropractor or medical doctor
in a few days it is a good idea to see your chiropractor or can also give you plenty of advice and educate you about
medical doctor to determine the exact cause of your pain what is best for your specific needs.
and the most effective way to treat it.
The doctors at Beck & Blackley Chiropractic Clinic are
The most common and effective treatments for acute low trained in the latest techniques to treat low back pain and
back pain are chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, to get you out of pain as quickly as possible. Do not sit at
over the counter medications, and rest for the first few days. home for days or weeks with low back pain. Call one of
It is important that you get back to your normal activities our offices in Lumberton or St Pauls as soon as your back
as soon as you are able since movement helps your muscles pain begins. We will provide chiropractic services to get
stay strong and lying in bed for more than 1 or 2 days can you back to your holiday plans and enjoying this wonderful
actually make your problem worse. season.