A note from Dr. Steph: “This is an article I wrote a few years ago, but the principles still stand! Low back pain is a super common problem (just read the stats!) and something we take care of all the time here in Broome through chiropractic care. Chiropractors are highly trained to care for low back pain, so don’t suffer in silence - see your Broome chiro today”
Up to 50% of people seeing Chiropractors note back pain as one of their primary symptoms.
Back pain is usually caused by dysfunction in the way the muscles, joints, tendons, discs, ligaments and nerves work together. It can feel like stiffness, a dull ache, sharp catching, or sudden pain on movement. Low back pain is a common problem: 1 in 6 Australians are affected every year, and between 70-90% of people worldwide will suffer at some point in their lives1.
Chronic back pain is back pain lasting longer than 3 months. Chronic back pain can have a serious negative impact on daily life, affecting social, work and family life. Chronic back pain mostly affects working people (77%)1. It has a negative impact on the economy, with over a billion dollars spent per year, and is the third leading cause of disease burden in Australia1.
There are many different causes of low back pain. Most are mechanical and respond to chiropractic care and management. Your chiropractor will conduct a detailed history and physical examination to determine a diagnosis and the correct course of care for your individual situation.
If you are suffering from low back pain, spinal adjustments (specific manipulation) as well as other methods working on joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves with individualised advice on lifestyle and exercise factors is the treatment of choice for most. Research shows that chiropractic care for lower back pain is both safe and effective to reduce pain and improve function in patients with chronic lower back pain3.
What can you do?
There are several easy things you can start doing today to reduce your lower back pain. Our top tips include:
Get moving! Your spine is designed to move, and when we are stationary for long periods of time we stiffen up. Sitting in particular increases the load on your lower back. Movement will help counter this, as well as helping to reduce pain. Research shows that exercise plus chiropractic care (spinal manipulation therapy) is likely to not only speed up outcomes, but it reduces your risk of episodic recurrence of low back pain4. Time to lace up those sneakers, there’s plenty of beautiful places to get out an exercise in Broome, especially Cable Beach!
Improve your posture. Poor posture, especially over a prolonged period of time, puts stress through the spine and can lead to pain and stiffness. Investing in an ergonomic chair or sit-stand desk can help, as can putting a reminder on your phone every hour to stand, stretch and reassess your posture. Your chiropractic visit at Cable Beach Chiropractic will include postural assessment and help with improvement.
Stretch. A mobile spine is a healthy one; in fact, 90% of the nutrition to your brain comes from movement of the spine. Stretching must be performed correctly and within your own range of movement – ask your Broome chiropractor for individual advise for your situation.
Questions? Ready to be checked? At Cable Beach Chiropractic in Broome our chiropractor helps with low back pain every day. Head to the booking link on the main page to find a time to see your Broome chiropractor.
Impacts of Chronic back Pain, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/arthritis-other-musculoskeletal-conditions/impacts-of-chronic-back-problems/contents/summary
Lower Back Pain: https://www.myvmc.com/diseases/lower-back-pain/
Coulter, I et al, 2018, Manipulation and mobilisation for treating chronic lower back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis, The Spine Journal, http://www.thespinejournalonline.com/article/S1529-9430(18)30016-0/fulltext
Lawrence, D et al, 2008, Chiropractic management of low back pain and low back-related leg complaints: a literature synthesis, Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, vol 31(9):659-74
Chiropractor’s Association of Australia Spinal Health Blog: 3 things you can do today to help improve chronic lower back symptoms, https://chiropractors.asn.au/blog/3-things-you-can-do-today-to-help-improve-chronic-back-pain-symptoms/
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