The Lumbar Spine


Most Americans experience one form of back pain or another during the course of their lives. Back pain causes more disability in men over the age of 45 than any other condition. It is one of the most common reason for surgical intervention. The spine is such a complex structure consisting of a myriad of bones, muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments and tendons that it makes diagnosis difficult. Pain is often triggered by disease or injury in one or more of these structures.

What causes lower back pain? Lower back pain is often caused by a muscle strain. The erector spinae, or large paired muscles in the lower back that help keep your spine erect, can become inflamed and spasm. In more serious cases, the pain may be caused by a degenerative condition, such as arthritis, disc disease, or disc herniation.

A degenerative disc condition can sometimes cause a chain reaction of other events in your spine. When a disc is not in its appropriate place, or is misshapen from disease or another condition, it can cause pressure on neighboring healthy structures, such as discs, nerves, muscles, joints, ligaments, and tendons.

What types of treatments can ease lower back pain? Rest, ice, heat therapy, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory supplements, such as curcumin (turmeric), are often the first course of treatment for mild lower back pain. This allows your muscles to return to their normal position and begin to heal.

Be careful with resting the back too much. Rest for a sore back should be kept to no more than two weeks. After 2 weeks the muscles in the lower back begin to atrophy and can become weak, which could set you up for more injury or aggravation of the lower back. An experienced chiropractor can guide you through your therapy making sure you get the right amount of rest, therapy and activity.