What Can I Do About Chronic  Back Pain

Low back pain has been globally recognized as the leading cause of disability for 3 decades.  Approximately 80% of the population will at some point in their lives experience debilitating back pain.  This figure is astounding and it is something that we at ReAlign Natural Health Care know a fair bit about.  During this blog, you will learn some techniques that you can utilize to reduce or avoid chronic back pain.

Back pain may come from a variety of sources.  We have several tissues such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, discs and joint capsules all of which may be pain-producing.  We also have other areas of the body which may refer pain into our back such as compromised organs and/or trigger points within muscles.  We need to first identify which tissue is causing us pain, and this is something that our chiropractors, physiotherapists and massage therapists are excellent at doing in our clinic.

How to decrease chronic back pain?

There are several well-known avenues to take when decreasing chronic back pain.  The first is exercise.  We know that regular exercise decreases inflammation, improves core strength and endurance and makes a marked dent in days lost due to back pain.  “But Doc, I can’t exercise due to the pain.”  This is something we encounter regularly and have devised a system to cope with.  We know that exercise can be painful so we approach it by the easiest means possible.  If you cannot walk or run, we will get you onto a stationary bike or into a pool.  If you cannot do these, then we introduce you to yoga and or static stretching or strengthening programs.  There will always be a bit of resistance (pun intended) to exercise, but there are many ways to approach it.

Reduction of inflammation is another approach that we take.  This can be done without the use of pharmaceuticals, contrary to popular belief.  We can take natural supplements such as turmeric (curcumin), vitamin C, fish oils and MSM to name a few.  Vitamin D, bromelain and quercetin and green tea extract are also great at reducing overall inflammation in the human body.  Before taking any of these, please consult a professional who can guide you through the benefits and potential risks.

The use of heat and cold is an effective way to decrease system inflammation and thus chronic pain.  We utilize things such as cold showers, ice packs and for the very bold patients, ice water plunges.  This has many positive effects such as release of dopamine and norepinephrine which enhance mood and decrease pain.  Cold therapy also reduces muscle spasm which can lead to reduction in pain levels.

Lastly, we use therapies in our office.  These include but are not limited to, chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue therapies, spinal decompression, massage therapy, physiotherapy, exercise, laser therapy, acupuncture, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, ultrasound, shockwave and many more.

So, if you or someone you know suffers from chronic back pain, let them know that the team of Chiropractors, Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists at ReAlign Natural Health Clinic are here to help. We look forward to continuing to serve the families of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and surrounding communities for many years to come.

Also, see our blog How Often Should I See a Chiropractor.

If you’re looking for a chiropractor in Cambridge, check out ReAlign Health.