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Writer's pictureStephanie Marslen

How to Beat Low Back Pain


Did you…
Lift and twist in the wrong way?
Bend over a feel your back just “go”?
Roll over in bed and experience a sharp pain?
Sit at the desk and have a slow dull ache in the lower back?

Low back pain is very common, and something we see at Cable Beach Chiropractic every day. Although it’s common, it’s also something that a lot of us don’t really understand, so when it happens to us it can be really scary!

Read on to learn more about low back pain (LBP), and how your Broome chiro can help :)
Dr Steph, Broome chiro, adjusts a patient


LBP can have a sudden or slow onset, and can range from mild stiffness and discomfort to sharp, electric pain in the back and down the legs. Most low back pain is unspecific in nature (it’s literally diagnosed as non-specific lower back pain); however, it can be caused by sprains, strains, disc protrusions or degenerative disc disease. Because LBP can be caused by so many things, it is important to see your Chiropractor for a proper assessment of your pain to determine the best course of care. In clinic we take a full history and perform a thorough examination, using our knowledge and our tests results to determine your diagnosis.

Low back pain is estimated to affect 70-90% of people at some point during the course of their lives. Back pain is the number 1 reason for time off work in Australia, and the leading cause of work related disability worldwide. Latest evidence shows that for low back pain that does not require surgical intervention, chiropractic care is part of the most effective approach to treatment.

What causes LBP?
Non-specific LBP is caused by a musculoskeletal issues such as a muscular strain, ligamentous sprain, joint dysfunction, degenerative disc disease, or intervertebral disc bulge. Chronic LBP is pain lasting longer than 3 months, whereas acute LBP is pain lasting less than 3 months. Although acute LBP can resolve fairly rapidly, the chance of recurrence within a 12-month period is high (up to 73%). Research shows that chiropractic care reduces the likelihood of recurrence, whilst chiropractic maintenance care significantly reduces pain and disability and aids prevention of recurrence over a 12 month period - excellent news!

How to prevent LBP


Here’s some of the general advice often given to patients at Cable Beach Chiropractic. Remember, the advice we give is tailored specifically to not only your presenting symptoms, but also factors in your life. For example, if you have a lot of stress and are time poor, we’ll take that into account when giving advice to ensure you get the best chance of healing.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight

  • Maintain a healthy diet

  • Ensure regular exercise

  • Stretch!

  • Maintain good posture

  • Bend at the knees when lifting

  • Correct workplace ergonomics



What can your Chiropractor do for you?

Chiropractic is a remarkably safe and effective option for many health problems, including low back pain. Your chiropractor will work to determine the cause of your pain, before advising on a course of care. Your chiropractor will give you a hands on treatment to get you out of pain as quickly ad possible. Our treatment can include soft tissue work (massage), chiropractic adjustments, dry needling, neural balancing, activator adjustments, drop piece and mobilisations, all aimed at influencing the neuromusculoskeletal systems of the body to promote healing and pain relief, without the use of drugs or surgery. The techniques we choose are tailored to your individual needs.

Questions? Looking for an appointment? Head to the home page of our website to find our online booking link.

See you at Cable Beach Chiropractic soon :)



References
Australian Government: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Conditions: Back Problems, 2014.
Department of Health, Western Australia, Spinal Pain Model of Care. Perth: health networks branch, Department of Health, Western Australia, 2009
World health Organisation, WHO Guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic, Geneva, 2005
Goertz CM et al, Adding chiropractic manipulative therapy to standard medical care for patients with acute low back pain: results of a pragmati randomised comparative effectiveness study, Spine, 2013
Pengel et al, Acute Low Back Pain: systematic review of its prognosis. British Medical Journal, 2003
Senna MK, Machaly SA, Does maintained spinal manipulation therapy for chronic non-specific low back pain result in better long term outcome? Spine 2011
Knecht C, Humphreys BK, Wirth B, An observational study on recurrances of low back pain during the first 12 months after chiropractic treatment, Jounrla of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 2017
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