Spine-related musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common medical conditions we see. In fact, 80% of people will experience low back pain at some point in their lifetimes. Neck and back pain can be caused by any number of underlying injuries, but some of the most common causes are disc injuries, sprains and strains, joint dysfunction, and arthritic degeneration.

Disc injuries are extremely common, and studies show that 35-45% of adults will experience this condition at some point in their lives. Disc injuries can occur due to acute trauma, but most often they are caused by long-term stress to the tissue. Typically disc injuries begin when the outer fibers of the disc stretch, weaken, and tear. This often happens slowly over time, however factors like sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, improper lifting technique, and smoking, can cause the disc fibers to weaken more quickly. Eventually the outer fibers of the disc weaken to the point that the disc bulges and becomes inflamed.  The inner part of the disc can also herniate through the weakened outer fibers, leading to nerve compression. This can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs.

Sprain/strain injuries occur when ligaments or muscles are stretched or torn. This can be caused by acute trauma, such as a fall, sports injury, or motor vehicle accident. Alternatively, chronic sprain/strains occur due to low-level stress that is applied over an extended period of time, which occurs with poor posture, sedentary lifestyle, repetitive movements, improper lifting, pregnancy, or weight gain. 

Joint dysfunction occurs when the joints of the spine are not moving the way they should be, which can cause pain, stiffness, and muscle tightness. Longstanding joint dysfunction can cause improper wear and tear on the joints, leading to premature joint degeneration and arthritis. Low back pain associated with joint dysfunction can worsen with prolonged sitting or standing, overhead activity, and forward bending.

Chiropractors are specially trained to treat neck and low back pain using a variety of conservative techniques. The first step to treating neck and back pain is to identify the specific cause of the pain so that we can develop a personalized treatment plan to address it specifically. Each condition requires a unique approach to treatment, however most spinal pain responds very well to a combination of joint mobilization and traction, myofascial release, and therapeutic exercise.