WHAT IS LBP?
Low back pain (LBP) is a condition that has become an epidemic in America. The latest research estimates that up to 15% of people will experience their “first-episode” and up to 36% of people will have an episode this year1 . That’s a lot of people. LBP is so common that it has been recognized as the leading cause of limited activity and work absence throughout much of the world. Low back pain can be acute or chronic, generalized or localized. Acute means that it occurred within the past month. Chronic means that it has lasted longer than 3 months. Generalized LBP is characterized by a broad area of pain, or the sufferer not being able to point to a certain spot. Localized LBP is the opposite, and sufferers can point to a specific spot of pain on their lower back.
WHO IS AFFECTED?
LBP affects every kind of person, but like any condition, there are risk factors. The main three risk factors for developing LBP are being female, being older in age, and having a more physically demanding job.
WHAT HAPPENS?
There are many reasons why LBP can happen, but the most common reason is due to a mechanical injury. Whether it’s because of age, a sport, or a job, your body can only handle so much wear and tear before it’ll start telling you to take it easy. And when your joints and muscles get too worn down, your nerves start telling you that there’s a problem.
WHAT TO DO
The first thing to remember if you experience low back pain, is “do not worry.” LBP is not a life sentence. With the right care, you can be pain free and back to doing your normal activities in no time! Secondly, chiropractic care can be instrumental in facilitating the body’s healing process. Typically, the cause of LBP is mechanical, and having a chiropractor treat your muscles and realign your joints will do the trick. Lastly, exercise. The worst thing to do for LBP is to go on bed rest. Even if it hurts to move, research shows that staying active is better than rest. Make sure to talk to your chiropractor about what exercises are best for you.