What is Chronic Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the most common complaints of people in the United States, with nearly a third of all adults suffering from some kind of chronic back pain. Chronic back pain is a general term that may refer to a wide range of conditions, such as muscle strain, soft tissue injuries, sciatica, arthritis, or slipped discs.
No matter what the cause of chronic back pain is, sufferers have one thing in common: it can make life really difficult. Back pain robs people of activities and hobbies they enjoy. It can interfere with your getting a good night's sleep. In extreme cases, chronic back pain can be downright debilitating, costing you your job or making you dependent upon loved ones for care.
Managing Chronic Back Pain
Stay Mobile—the more you give in to chronic back pain, the more difficult it is to live with it. You shouldn't push yourself too hard or strain yourself, but you should try to keep moving. Walking, gentle exercises, and keeping up with light activity is the best way to help keep your back muscles strong and prevent pain from worsening. The activity also helps you keep your mind off your pain and will have a positive impact on your mood.
Stretch—a good stretch helps relieves tension, keeps your muscles loose, and improves your range of motion. Daily stretching can be a great exercise to help cope with and alleviate back pain. Make sure you warm up before stretching so you don't cause further injuries.
Get a better mattress—a good mattress may be a luxury you need. A poor mattress can wreak havoc on chronic back pain. According to research, a medium-firm mattress provides and comfort that many back pain sufferers need, however, each person is different so it is important to test mattresses and find what works best for you.
Eat an anti-inflammatory diet—you might be surprised at how the right foods can alleviate many of your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Inflammatory foods, which generally contain high amounts of sugar, trans-fats, and refined grains, can exacerbate many of your aches and pains.
Consult an upper-cervical specialist—a natural, drug-free, non-invasive means of managing back pain for many people is through chiropractic care. Upper cervical chiropractors in particular can pinpoint and treat problems that cause a domino-like effect of aches and pains throughout the musculoskeletal system. Often, your lower or middle back problems are rooted in the upper cervical spine.
How We Treat Chronic Back Pain
The upper cervical spine consists of the uppermost seven vertebrae that begin at the base of the skull and run down through the neck. These vertebrae in particular are prone to injury from even minor impacts and postural problems, and the effects of a misalignment in the upper cervical spine can cascade down the back, putting more strain on other joints, ligaments, and muscles.
Dr. Gordon Elder is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern upper cervical technique that combines state-of-the-art technology with low-pressure manual manipulations.
Dr. Elder uses advanced 3D imaging tools to diagnose and calculate misalignments of the spine. He is then able to apply precise, gentle, swift manipulations to make corrections. Once the upper cervical spine is in correct alignment, this reduces inflammation and takes stress off other joints and tissue down the back. The body's natural healing processes are then able to kick in and do the rest of the work.
Dr. Elder rounds out his care with follow-up exams to ensure alignments hold. He then recommends periodic exams as a preventative measure to prevent further back problems.
Instead of suffering needlessly from back pain, try some of our tips to help bring relief. Or, call Dr. Elder for an appointment to see if upper cervical care can help you. Dr. Elder's area of coverage includes Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.