BACK PAIN

Back pain is very common. At some point in all our lives, we are very likely to experience back pain to some degree. However, the majority of cases are not serious are often the result of a muscle or soft tissue strain or sprain. The core of your back is your spine, often called the backbone or spinal column. It is one of the strongest and most crucial parts of the body in relation to our overall health and wellness. Our Chiropractors are experts in back pain relief.

People can develop back pain at any stage of life. The following factors may place you at greater risk of developing back pain:

• Age – Back pain is more common as you get older.
• Lack of exercise – Weak muscles in your back, spine and abdomen places you at increased risk of developing back pain.
• Excess weight – Excess body weight places additional stress on your back.
• Disease – Some forms of arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.
• Improper lifting and movement techniques
• Psychological conditions – Depression and anxiety cause a greater risk of back pain.
• Smoking cigarettes – This reduces blood flow to the spine and soft tissues, which ultimately can keep your body from delivering enough nutrients to the disks in your back. Smoking also slows healing.

An intervertrbral disc is principal joint situated between the boney spinal segments of the spinal column. Discogenic pain arises from pain sensitive afferent nerve stimulation situated in the annulus fibrosis.

A vertebral disc that has undergone chronic stress or degeneration can release nociceptive molecules and growth factors that ultimately result in nerve ingrowth into the intervertebral disc.

Intervertebral disc components:

1. The nucleus pulposus is the gelatinous inner component
2. The annulus fibrosus is an outer ring of fibrous tissue that encloses the nucleus pulposus.
3. Two endplates of hyaline cartilage that serve as the interface between the boney segments of the spine and the intervertebral disc

Discogenic pain is characterized by degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc due to aging or trauma. A healthy disc have nerves isolated to the outer layers, while degenerative discs have nerve fibers that penetrate into the inner portion of the disc that can trigger the release of cytokines (proinflammatory mediators) which elicit nociceptive (pain) stimulus from the inner portion of the disc.

A comprehensive assessment from a qualified Oakville Chiropractor can often provide significant insight and potential relief with treatment.

A principle mechanism in discogenic pain is the migration of the nucleus pulposus due to breakdown of the outer annulus fibrosis layer causing small fissures (fibrillations) to form. These fibrillations allow for the migration of nociceptive nerve fibers into the nucleus pulposus, as well as the migration of the nucleus towards the outer portion of the disc and ultimately, with progression, herniation of the nucleus pulposus outside the disc material and into the spinal canal. This phenomena is referred to as a disc herniation. Nucleus migration and discogenic pain often result in directional preferences in the patient. That is, most often flexion versus extension of the spine is either aggravating or relieving. Movement and positional release techniques in these circumstances will allow the nucleus to migrate back into the central area of the disc, thereby moving radiating pain more proximal. This is called pain centralization.

Features often associated with discogenic sources of pain:

• Directional preference
• Aggravated by prolonged sitting (>60min)
• Aggravated by lifting
• Aggravated by forward bending
• Aggravated by coughing or sneezing
• History of working in a job with heavy manual handling
• The mechanism of injury is associated with flexion/rotation and/or compression loading
• Symptoms are much worse the next morning or day after the onset of the injury

Manual therapy has been shown to be extremely effective at treating back pain and providing long term relief. A great Chiropractors should represent the pinnacle of manual therapy and body work. The expert palpation and treatment skills that some Chiropractors posses can provide extensive relief and protection to the pain generating tissues of the body. The Chiropractic adjustment is a powerful manual therapy approach to spinal pain and dysfunction. Dozens of Randomized Controlled Trials have demonstrated the long term benefit of manual therapy on musculoskeletal pain and injury. However, manual therapy should most often be accompanied and reinforced by home exercise and education.

If you’re interested in a thorough assessment to determine the cause of your back pain or are seeking effective treatment for relief from back pain in Oakville, please follow the link below to schedule an appointment with one of our Oakville Chiropractors.