Before we discuss low back pain treatments, let's look at what is the main cause of low back pain. One cause of lower back pain can be nerves from the spinal cord irritated by a bulging or ruptured disc. This condition may cause buttock or leg pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs. Degenerative changes in the vertebrae also can irritate or inflame delicate nerves in the spinal bones. The last cause is dysfunction of the normal movement of spinal joints.

At higher risk for low back problems are people in poor physical condition, and those with jobs that include heavy labor or long periods of sitting or standing. These people also recover from their back problems more slowly. Emotional stress or long periods of inactivity may intensify symptoms, or trigger recurrence of a previous problem.

The chiropractic approach to treating low back pain is to find the source of the problem and correct it, not just to treat the symptoms. By correcting the source of the problem, the body can heal naturally without nerve interference. Low back pain often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal position and motion of the spinal bones through chiropractic care.

The chiropractor's primary tool in treating spinal malfunction is the use of manipulation or the spinal adjustment. By applying precisely directed force to a joint that is out of position or not moving properly it is gradually restored to a more normal position and function. Depending on each individual condition, the doctor's hands or a special instrument may be used to deliver quick, therapeutic thrust to the affected joint. Other adjustments may require slow, constant pressure.

Your chiropractor may also recommend a program which includes exercises to strengthen and retrain back muscles, hot or cold compresses, massage, and even diet, stress reduction, and lifestyle modification.

When pain is severe, problems with your back can't be ignored. "Stop pain" immediately goes to number one on your list. Falls, car accidents, sports strains, heavy lifting, or repetitive work may cause sudden damage, or damage may occur slowly over time. However, most problems are more easily treated within the first month symptoms are noticed.

While some patients seek chiropractic care only when pain is unbearable, this "crisis" approach often costs more in the long run in time, stress, and dollars. Long-standing problems that have been neglected for years can't be cured with a single adjustment, any more than a single pill in a prescription can cure an illness.

Chiropractic care for low back pain has been proven to work. The sooner you seek professional care, the sooner you'll find relief from your pain. Don't continue to suffer.