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Backaches & Sciatica
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There are several causes of back pain: mechanical causes, degenerative conditions, ankylosing spondylitis; infective causes, primary benign or malignant tumors; osteoporosis. |
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Sciatica is a lay term indicating pain along the course of the sciatic nerve, especially noted in the back of the thigh and below the knee. It has been commonly referred to as "having a toothache in your leg" as the pain is similar to the type of pain one feels while experiencing a toothache.
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When body systems work in harmony, self-healing processes can function efficiently. Because the spinal cord carries nerves to every part of the body, any distortion or strain on the spine can have far-reaching effects and cause problems in the internal organs, glands and blood vessels. Chiropractic treatment aims to re-align the spine so that body systems can function properly.
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Good back care can greatly reduce the risk of back pain.
To look after your back, make sure you:
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take regular exercise
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use a chair with a backrest, and sit with your feet flat on the floor or on a foot rest
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sleep on a firm mattress
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Lifting and carrying tips:
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Lift only a manageable weight, or ask for help
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When lifting things or putting things down, bend the knees, and keep the back straight and feet apart
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Do not lift and twist at the same time
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Lift and carry objects close to the body
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Because the nervous system is so intimately related to the spine from an anatomical standpoint, identifying and restoring spinal structural integrity through chiropractic treatments can improve the health of the individual by reducing pressure on sensitive neurological tissue. |
Who suffers from back pain?
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Virtually all human beings are subject to back problems. The fact that humans walk upright, on two legs, puts great pressure on the spine and muscles that support it. Over time, back pain is all but inevitable. Normal wear and tear, accidents, disease, and such bad "back habits" as unnecessary strain from overexertion at play or work (especially lifting, pushing, pulling, and reaching for things improperly), and poor standing and sitting posture result in both immediate and long-term back problems.
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Does Back Pain Go Away on Its Own?
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| Eighty percent of people suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor's office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections. Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic, i.e., not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture, or cancer.
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What Can I Do to Prevent Long-Term Back Pain?
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| If your back pain is not resolving quickly, visit your doctor of chiropractic. Your pain will often result from mechanical problems that your doctor of chiropractic can address. Many chiropractic patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment. The relief they feel after a month of treatment is often greater than after seeing a family physician.
Chiropractic spinal manipulation is a safe and effective spine pain treatment. It reduces pain, decreases medication, rapidly advances physical therapy, and requires very few passive forms of treatment, such as bed rest. |
What Should I Tell My Doctor of Chiropractic?
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Before any treatment session, tell your doctor of chiropractic if you experience any of the following:
- Pain goes down your leg below your knee
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Your leg, foot, groin, or rectal area feels numb
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You have fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, weakness, or sweating
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You lose bowel control
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Your pain is caused by an injury
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Your pain is so intense you can't move around
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Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better quickly
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