Back pain: the signal you should not ignore

Do you suffer from back pain? You’re not alone; unfortunately it’s common - one in six Australians suffers from back problems. These problems can affect all areas of your life; causing difficulty with everyday activities - like bending, lifting, and getting out of bed. You may also experience mental distress and difficulty working.

How does back pain happen?
In simple terms, back pain is discomfort felt in the region between your neck and hips, and can result from different causes and have various effects on your body.

Back pain can originate from the bones, discs, ligaments, muscles, joints, muscles or nerves in your back. Sometimes, it's referred pain from other sources like menstrual pain or irritable bowel syndrome. Other times, it's due to underlying conditions like arthritis, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, kidney stones, or osteoporosis. Often, it's linked to mechanical issues in the spine.

When should you seek help?
If you’re struggling with back pain or discomfort, reach out, it’s an indication that all is not well. A professional assessment will help identify the cause. From there, we can discuss treatment options and advice, or, if needed, further assessment or referral.

There are also “red flags” - signs that may indicate a serious problem that may need further referral - that should not be ignored. If you have any of these, book a consultation promptly:

• pain or weakness in one or both legs
• numbness in the leg or saddle area 
• trouble controlling your bladder or bowel
• recent trauma like a car crash, fall, or knock
• unexplained weight loss
• fever
• pain that persists for six weeks or more
• rest - including sleep - doesn’t help

While it may appear that the pain has occurred suddenly, back pain can actually manifest long after an issue first develops, sometimes even years later. Therefore, discomfort serves as a reminder to assess the health of your spine.

As chiropractors we understand back pain very well. We use a hands-on holistic approach to assess your body, spine, and health. We may evaluate your range of motion, muscle strength, nerve function, balance, coordination, and posture. We’ll identify any problems with your spinal, muscle, nerve, and joint function.

Together, we’ll decide on a treatment plan. This can include adjustments to your spine or other joints, strengthening or stretching exercises, and lifestyle, postural, and movement advice. We will work with you to help reduce or eliminate your pain and improve your function.

While back pain is common, it’s not unbeatable. It’s a signal from your body telling you something is wrong, much like the oil light warning in a car. Listen to your body! Seeking professional care can set you on the path to a healthier, pain-free life.