Chiropractic and Low Back Pain

If you’ve been experiencing low back pain, you are definitely not alone!

Low back pain is a common global problem. Back pain has been the leading cause of years lived with disability since 1990 and remains a global public health concern according to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. An estimated 619 million people experienced low back pain in 2020 globally, with a projection of 843 million by 2050. Between 85% and 95% of people presenting to primary care providers with low back pain had no specific, identifiable origin for their complaint. Low back pain that is not attributable to a recognizable, known specific pathology is commonly defined nonspecific or mechanical low back pain. Nonspecific low back pain appears to arise from the spine, intervertebral discs and the surrounding soft tissues. Common recommendations include anti-inflammatory or pain medication to manage symptoms along with interdisciplinary care involving manipulation and physical therapy.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published, in 2017, a review of the evidence and found that spinal adjustments helped improve pain and function for people with low back pain.

Chiropractic adjustments appear to help patients with low back pain through multiple routes:

1. promoting muscle relaxation

2. stretching of muscles, joints and ligaments

3. increasing motion and proprioception

4. affecting pain perception mechanisms

5. decreasing inflammation and inflammatory molecules

6. decreasing pain

7. stimulating endorphins (feel good molecules)

Chiropractic can be a safe, conservative, natural alternative for patients experiencing low back pain and sciatica, and can be considered a first-line approach to treating nonspecific low back pain. Along with therapeutic exercises, nutritional intervention and postural recommendations, manipulation can be an important tool in modulating acute pain and preventing worsening of symptoms.

Come visit us at Renovo Health & Wellness in Berkeley to find out if chiropractic can help you with your back pain symptoms!