Causes of Back Problems

When your back is injured, the pain can take your breath away. Any of the normal activities of daily living – coughing, sneezing, lifting or bending – can trigger a painful spasm or regional instability that negatively impacts your overall health and quality of life.

Back pain is epidemic in our country, with more than 21 million Americans suffering. Current treatments include chiropractic adjustments, medication, surgeries, physical therapy and acupuncture. Our goal is to guide you to wellness by providing a less invasive treatment, as well as a commitment to helping you achieve a pain-free life.

All back pain can be divided into two categories, medical and mechanical. Medical includes recent fractures, tumors, infections or metabolic diseases. Women who are pregnant, or in advanced stages of osteoporosis, may be included in this group. Medical back pain represents 3% of all low back pain sufferers.

97% of people with acute or chronic back pain have what physicians refer to as mechanical. This means the pain is a by-product of spinal instability and may result in a herniated disc, degenerated joint disease, sciatica, facet syndrome and even canal narrowing called spinal stenosis.

Mechanical back pain may develop from inherited, congenital or an acquired condition such as a repetitive stress injury or an impact trauma. Over time, the injury manifests itself through pain. This is when most people go see their doctor. Medication is prescribed to reduce pain, but does nothing to address the underlying problem of the mechanical instability.

Pressure on sensitive nerve fibers from the disc, nerve root or facet articulating joint may cause a cascade of nerve messages to the brain putting the muscles into spasm. This cycle is often repeated over days, weeks, months and eventually for years until the degenerative changes become visible on x-ray and MRI. Chiropractors, physical therapists, and medical physicians perform a variety of techniques that are done in earnest to reduce pain. If the condition becomes too extreme and the pain intolerable, the back pain sufferer may attempt surgery as a final attempt for relief. Almost half of all spine surgeries have less than satisfactory outcomes.

“Lordex® spinal decompression therapy are one of the biggest innovations in spine care and have success rates as high or higher than surgery in many cases.” Says Tom Dunn P.T., a 30 year physical therapy practitioner.

“Besides being safe, non-invasive and painless, it allows physicians a place to refer patients that does not involve surgery,” says Dunn.

The Lordex® System is leading care in the field of non-operative spine medicine.

Following each procedure, patients generally undergo a stretch and flex program designed to improve lower extremity flexibility and range of motion.

It has been clinically observed that the best long-term results occur when individuals take an active part in prevention.