Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Indeed, lower back pain is so common that it would probably be fairly difficult to find someone who isn’t now or has not in the past suffered from this affliction. Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve lower back pain that does not involve drastic methods such as surgery. Chiropractic care just may be the key. Let’s look at more about this all too common condition and how chiropractic treatments can help treat and prevent nearly all forms of low back pain.

What is Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is caused by injury to a muscle (strain) or ligament (sprain). The lower back, which starts below the ribcage, is called the lumbar region. Pain here can range from being a minor inconvenience to being very nearly debilitating. Since low back pain can be chronic in many people a conservative approach - such as that taken by chiropractors – is often the best way to treat the pain that accompanies this condition.

The Causes of Low Back Pain

Back pain often develops without a cause that a doctor can identify. However, the conditions commonly linked to back pain include:

Muscle or ligament strain

Bulging or ruptured disks

Arthritis

Skeletal irregularities

Osteoporosis

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Low Back Pain

The core of chiropractic often involves treatment of the lower back through manual therapy including spinal manipulation and mobilization. Manipulation involves chiropractic adjustment of the spine and delivers a gentle, non-invasive, non-addictive therapy to the patient. In short, benefits that patients can derive from chiropractic care include:

 Reduced pain and discomfort

 Decreased inflammation

 Improved range of motion

 Improved flexibility

 Increased muscle tone and strength

Low back pain is a universal human experience. In fact, more than 3 million people a year are diagnosed with this condition. To see if chiropractic care is right for you, Dr. Richey at Living Well Chiropractic will perform a consultation, examination and if necessary, refer you out for diagnostic imaging such as x- ray or MRI. Your doctor of chiropractic may elect to co-treat your low back pain with other healthcare professionals including massage therapists, physical therapists, etc. We are skilled at back pain relief in Thousand Oaks. So, if you need a chiropractor in Thousand Oaks just contact us to make an appointment.