LOW BACK PAIN

Why is low back pain common? 

Your lower back alone has 24 joints all containing numerous ligaments, tendons, nerves, cartilage and bones to support your body and allow for a wide range of movements. If any of these structures are affected, you may experience back pain. The most common causes of back pain are disc degeneration, sciatica, disc injuries (disc herniation), radiculopathy, spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint injuries, and osteoarthritis.

Nearly 12 million visits are made to the doctor each year because of back problems. Four out of five adults will experience significant low back pain sometime during their life. After the common cold, problems caused by the lower back are the most frequent cause of lost workdays in adults under the age of 45.

The low back is a complex structure that connects your upper body to your lower body (pelvis and legs). This important part of your spine provides you with the mobility¸ stability and strength needed for almost all of life’s activities.  Movements such as turning, twisting or bending; strength to pull and lift and the stability to do this while standing upright on 2 feet requires precise coordinated functioning between your spinal joints, muscles nerves and brain.

Low Back conditions such as spondylolisthesis, bulging discs, herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis and sacroiliac joint problems can restrict your activity, reduce your work capacity, limit the quality and enjoyment of everyday living and have been shown to reduce your overall health.  Symptoms can include, mild to severe; localized back pain, posterior hip/buttocks pain, pain that wraps around the waist, spasms, radiating pain/numbness/tingling down the legs, sciatica and tingling or stiffness in any of the regions listed above.  Chronic back pain is associated with reduced mobility, quality of life and longevity, and often includes increased rates of other health problems.