Lower back pain is extremely common and affects about 85% of the public. It can be something as simple as muscle pain from exercise or lifting objects, to severe pain down the leg with muscle weakness. In general, there are a few categories of lower back pain:

Muscle pain – very common and can be local pain in the lower back. It may feel like you “threw out your back” or you “can’t stand up straight”. General physical medicine and Chiropractic care will eliminate this pain in as little as 2 treatments.

Nerve pain – Nerve pain is more common in men than women and feels like sharp shooting pain down the leg or numbness in the feet. Muscle weakness can also occur. In most cases the nerve is actually not the problem, rather it is the disc material that is “herniated” and pressing on the exiting nerve root causing pain down the nerve distribution. In many cases, the patient will not have any lower back pain, only pain into the buttock and leg. Physical medicine and Chiropractic care will either help or cure this type of pain. An MRI is a very good way to confirm a “nerve” or “disc” problem.

Bone – Bone pain is common in older patients and can be characterized by stiffness along with pain. Arthritis can set in and cause your bones to be restricted with motion which will lead to pain. Physical medicine and regular trips to Dr. Ramsey’s office will help keep your spine moving freely insuring you are pain free.

Back Pain Q & A

How does Dr. Ramsey treat back pain?

Manipulation, which is also referred to as adjustment, is the primary treatment used by chiropractors to treat back pain. Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation with their hands or devices that use controlled force to adjust vertebrae alignment. Dr. Ramsey uses an Impulse Adjusting Instrument, which provides spinal manipulations without the popping or cracking of joints, which helps some patients to relax. Spinal adjustments are generally safe for treating back pain when performed by a trained and licensed practitioner, according to the NIH. Dr. Ramsey also helps his patients to prevent future back pain and injury by suggesting strengthening exercises and stretches that prevent future back pain by strengthening the muscles in the core and back. Dr. Ramsey is dedicated to diagnosing and treating the root cause of back pain, and to truly provide long-term and sustainable relief.

What are some of the proactive treatments that Dr. Ramsey uses with people who have back pain?

Because the cause of back pain varies from one patient to the next, Dr. Ramsey offers different treatment options. One option might be low-impact exercises that target abdominal fat. Dropping belly fat can help your spine return to a more normal curve. Stress reduction is another common passive treatment option. These alternative treatments work in conjunction with traditional chiropractic care to help solve immediate pain issues while adding a preventative aspect to a patient’s treatment plan.