Back Pain Symptoms

Between 2011 and 2012 it was estimated that around 3 million Australians were experiencing back pain symptoms, making back pain one of the most common health concerns in the country. Back pain symptoms can present in many different ways, and it is important to be able to recognize symptoms and know when back pain treatment needs to be sought.

The most common symptom associated with back problems is of course back pain. This includes pain in lower back, as well as upper and middle back pain. Back pain symptoms range from mild to severe and may include:

• Persistent muscle aching or stiffness
• Limited range of motion of the back
• Shooting or stabbing sharp pain
• Pain that radiates down your leg
• Inability to stand straight without pain or muscle spasms

Back pain symptoms can be both acute and chronic and have a wide range of causes and risk factors. Factors that might put you at a greater risk of experiencing back pain include:

• Age – Back pain symptoms are more common in individuals over the age of 30
• Genetics – There is some evidence that there is a genetic component to certain forms of back pain
• Lack of exercise – muscles in the back that are weak and underused might increase the risk of experiencing back pain symptoms
• Excess weight – Being overweight places extra stress on your back, as well as other joints
• Improper lifting – Utilizing incorrect lifting techniques can lead to back pain
• Occupational hazards – Jobs that require repetitive bending/lifting, as well as jobs that require extended periods of sitting or standing increase the risk of experiencing back pain
• Smoking – studies have shown that people who smoke are more likely to develop back pain compared to nonsmokers

While most people experience back pain symptoms sometimes throughout their lives, it can be important to seek a health professional’s advice in order to accurately diagnose and manage the symptoms to achieve back pain relief.

Chiropractic therapy is an effective method to reduce back pain symptoms and improve physical functioning. Chiropractic treatments involve spinal manipulation, often combined with soft tissue therapy. A prospective study conducted in the UK in 2013 found that chiropractic was an effective and cost-efficient method to improve back pain symptoms and often results in high patient satisfaction with the treatment and consultation received. Chiropractic has also been found to be more effective than usual medical care in achieving a short-term reduction in pain, allowing patients to return to daily activities sooner, and back pain-free.

Our skilled chiropractors at CityHealth are highly qualified to assess back pain symptoms and provide individualized treatment and high quality care to manage back pain symptoms and provide back pain relief.

References:

Andersson, G. B. (1999). Epidemiological features of chronic low-back pain.The lancet, 354(9178), 581-585.

Frymoyer, J. W., Pope, M. H., Clements, J. H., Wilder, D. G., MacPherson, B., & Ashikaga, T. (1983). Risk factors in low-back pain. An epidemiological survey. The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 65(2), 213-8.

Goertz, C. M., Long, C. R., Hondras, M. A., Petri, R., Delgado, R., Lawrence, D. J., … & Meeker, W. C. (2013). Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: results of a pragmatic randomized comparative effectiveness study. Spine, 38(8), 627-634.

Houweling, T. (2013). Description of outcomes, patient experiences and related costs of care in low back pain patients undergoing chiropractic treatment in the UK (Doctoral dissertation, University of Portsmouth).

Schneider, M., Haas, M., Stevans, J., Glick, R., & Landsittel, D. (2014). A Comparison of Chiropractic Manipulation Methods and Usual Medical Care for Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 20(5), A22-A23.