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Low Back Pain and Sciatica

Low back pain is felt by 80% of all American adults at some point in their lives. The causes of low back pain are often related to injuries, but can vary widely. In the U.S., the most common treatment is prescription and non-prescription medication, which only treats symptoms, such as pain and inflammation. 

Drug dangers

Published figures from the National Institute of Health (NIH) shows an alarming trend of dramatically increased deaths related to prescription drug overdose.  According to the NIH there has been a 340% increase in deaths in from prescription opiates from 2001-2014.

There has also been a large increase in the use of benzodiazepines (Valium, Ativan, Librium, Klonopin and others) in treating patients with pain, insomnia (trouble sleeping), muscle spasms, anxiety and seizures. This class of drugs has had a 500% increase in overdose deaths between 2001 and 2014. Considering these sobering statics, it’s important for patients to be informed about other safe and effective options that are inexpensive and available. You and your family deserve better.

Helping you understand your back pain condition

At Graham Chiropractic and Acupuncture we help our patients understand their health condition deeply, and we encourage them to be active participants in their own care. This begins with a thorough medical history, careful examination and, if needed, x-rays.  Most patients are surprised when we’re able to explain the problem in language they understand, and they feel comfortable asking questions.

Clear diagnosis leads to effective treatments, which leads to better outcomes.

Many of our patients with back pain and leg pain, leg numbness or tingling have more than one condition causing their symptoms. In many instances, the “traditional” approach fails to distinguish between, or ignores, other factors that must be considered to treat the problem. 

Many patients have been to a visit to their doctor with no physical exam performed. A specific exam is needed to distinguish between the many possible causes of back and leg pain, especially if there is leg numbness or tingling.

Lower back pain and Sciatica

True sciatica from a pinched nerve in the low back looks a lot like Piriformis Syndrome. If you are only giving out pills for pain relief, the actual cause is a lower priority. However, if you want to correct or fix the underlying cause of the problem, it’s critical to have an accurate diagnosis, which leads to the best treatments and the best results.

Lower back pain is almost as common as the common cold. However, there are many different causes for lower back pain and sciatica (which includes symptoms such as leg pain, numbness or tingling). We treat these conditions everyday. It’s important to understand that lower back pain, with or without leg pain (sciatica), can affect different people in different ways.

However, there is a common thread in most cases. Lower back pain can begin as an injury from a fall, lifting or an accident, but then become chronic over the years. Most patients say that their back pain gets worse and happens more frequently as time passes. Good conservative care includes stretching and exercise.

Treating only the pain and not correcting the underlying mechanical problems, such as pinched nerves, joint dysfunction, muscle imbalances or decreased range of motion, ensures the problem will reoccur and will get more complicated. Our treatments relieve pain and correct the root cause of the problem.

At Graham Chiropractic and Acupuncture, we are uniquely qualified with over 20 years of serving patients in the area with a sophisticated, yet practical approach, blending Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Cold Laser (LLLT), traditional physical therapy techniques and modalities, along with Massage Therapy, to correct the underlying problems — and take away the pain!

Back problems

We routinely treat herniated disks, degenerated disks, pain from arthritis in the spine, spraining or straining injuries, and post-surgical pain or failed back surgery syndrome. Many patients continue to have pain in the back or leg after surgery.

A good way to explain this in simple terms is to think of the back as a dartboard. The “herniated disk” is the bullseye and the muscles, joints, nerves, ligaments and tendons are the rings around the bullseye.  These “outer rings” often cause as much or more pain and dysfunction as the disk.

The surgeon is able to cut the portion of the disk out, but the remaining problems (the rings around the bullseye) don’t automatically resolve and must be corrected. The dartboard metaphor illustrates how our backs or, any joint, need to be treated.

Many of our patients come from Burlington and the surrounding communities, but we also treat patients from as far as 2 hours away because of the unique treatments we offer. 

Call (336) 229-4345 today, and receive a FREE consultation!