Guest post

Millions of Americans suffer from chronic back pain. In most cases, back pain isn’t a serious health issue, however, a sharp, stinging pain in your spine could indicate a serious medical condition. Then again, pain could also be simply a result of habits and activities that put too much stress on the spine. These are the questions you may be wondering: Why does back pain occur? What are the best methods for treating back pain? Let’s take a moment to discuss how back pain develops:

Heavy lifting doesn’t break your back

We are often told not to lift things that are too heavy and to be careful with how we lift heavy objects. It turns out that the weight of an object isn’t a contributing factor to back pain. While it’s important to consider the weight of an object before lifting, it’s the technique that keeps you from damaging your back. The proper way to pick up an object is to keep your back straight and bend from the knees. Tensing your stomach muscles as you lift will also keep your core stable.

Disease can cause back pain, too

Many people assume that chronic back pain is the result of a serious spinal injury. Obviously, ruptured disks and other serious injuries can cause long-term health conditions, but they are not the only causes of back pain. Kidney infections and epidural abscesses can also cause back pain. Always consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Misconception: the skinnier you are, the healthier your back

Another common misconception people have about back pain is that skinny people aren’t prone to the issue. While people with excess weight and poor dietary habits are at a greater risk of developing long-term conditions in the spine, skinny people aren’t off the hook. When a person is skinny because they are chronically under-eating because of smoking, for example, means they aren’t getting the nutrients they need for strong bones and this can end up contributing to back pain.

You can’t treat back pain on your own

If you think you can “correct” your back by yourself, you should probably give it a second thought. This is especially true if your pain was caused by a sporting injury, which will take time and the right expertise to help you fully recover. For this, you will need to consult with a certified chiropractor who is capable of treating a variety of back ailments. When you’re out looking for the right expert to treat your back, make sure to check for credentials such as provincial licenses and other important documentation.

You can also consider other treatments such as acupuncture, although that won’t replace physical therapy. At any rate, it’s always important that you find specialists. If you need to look for someone who does physiotherapy in Ottawa, it’s always important to do a great deal of research based on reviews and referrals.

Back pain can be very difficult to handle, but if you know much about it, you can steer clear of risks and aim for a speedy recovery. Be sure to thoroughly consider chiropractic, physical therapy and stem cell therapy before opting for surgery which should be the last resort. Surgery has significant risks and very often leads to further surgeries. The other more natural modalities offer fringe benefits!