The nerve rich facet joints on the back side of each spinal bone are a common cause of back pain. If these pairs of interlocking “fingers” aren’t moving right, they can cause painful symptoms. The discs between the spinal bones can be a source of back pain too. These rings of fibrous tissue act as spacers, connectors and shock absorbers for the spine. Trauma can cause the soft, pulpy material in the middle to bulge and herniate, putting pressure on delicate nearby nerves. Back pain can also be caused by strain of the many soft tissues surrounding the spine. Many muscles and ligaments work in balance to keep the spine supported and aligned properly, and through overuse, acute injury or bad posture we can cause damage to these soft tissues.

Once you know the causes you have several choices. One approach is bed rest. But research shows that prolonged bed rest can actually delay recovery and make the problem worse. Physical therapy is another option. But exercising spinal joints that aren’t working properly is like continuing to drive your car with misaligned tires! Another choice is to numb or cover up the pain with drugs. While drugs can offer temporary relief, they can’t correct functional problems of affected spinal joints or damaged tissues.  The most drastic measure is surgery. A laminectomy cuts off the offending facet joints, leaving the spinal cord exposed! A spinal fusion cuts out the disc tissue and immobilizes the joint. While there may be times when surgery makes sense, it’s expensive, risky and more than half of all back surgeries fail.

More and more people are choosing chiropractic and natural healthcare. Specific chiropractic adjustments can help improve spinal function, and chiropractic looks to correct the underlying cause of the problem. In tandem with chiropractic many people also seek massage therapy as an option to help reduce scar tissue in the muscles and ligaments and improve their mobility. Acupuncture is also a great option for those seeking to ease the chronic pain associated with these conditions. All of these options are natural and safe for everyone from children to adults.