Back pain is not simply a normal part of the aging process. Although, many back problems are the result of years of neglect, many spinal problems are non-symptomatic until the advanced stages of degeneration. Many elderly patients who have maintained their spines continue to enjoy excellent spine health and function.

The back is a complicated structure of bones, joints, ligaments and muscles. You can sprain ligaments, strain muscles, rupture disks, and irritate joints, all of which can lead to back pain.

Once you know the cause, you have several choices.

1) One approach is bed rest. But research shows that prolonged bed rest can actually delay recovery and make the problem worse.

2) Physical therapy is another option. Movement and exercising are vital to your long term improvement. However, premature exercising of spinal joints that are not working right is like continuing to drive your car with misaligned tires.

3) Another is to numb or cover up the pain with drugs. While medication can offer temporary relief, it can’t correct functional problems of affected spinal joints or repair wear and tear.

4) The most drastic measure is surgery. For example a laminectomy cuts off the offending facet joint, leaving the spinal cord exposed and a spinal fusion cuts out the disc and immobilizes the joint. Unless it’s an emergency, conservative measures should be sought prior to undergoing an expensive and risky procedure that doesn’t always work.

5) More and more people are choosing chiropractic care first. . Low back pain often results from mechanical problems that your doctor of chiropractic can address. Many chiropractic patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment. Specific chiropractic treatments can help improve spinal function. Better yet, chiropractic care is safe, natural and looks to correct the underlying cause of the problem.

You may not like any of the above options and decide to wait and hope the pain goes away on its own, which is fine when the pain is from muscular strain that goes away in 1-3 days.

Research shows that when back pain is not treated, it may go away temporarily, but will most likely return. The study demonstrated that for those who have had back pain that lasted over 30 days, only 9% of the people were pain free 5 years later. Another study showed that when back pain is ignored it does not go away on its own. Those studies demonstrate that low-back pain continues to affect people for long periods after it first begins.

If your back pain is not resolving quickly, visit Dr Jim or Dr. Sherri at Beauchamp Chiropractic. We will address your pain from the mechanical problems in your spinal joints and muscles. Many patients with relatively long lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic is safe and effective spinal pain treatment. It reduces pain, decreases the need for medication, and can be just the start you need to return to a more youthful you. Pain has a way of making a person feel older and less able to accomplish their goals.

Don’t wait any longer. Join the millions of others that enjoy healthier living by restoring the integrity of their spine and nervous system with safe and natural chiropractic care.

How Can I Prevent Back Pain?

• Don't lift by bending over. Instead, bend your hips and knees and then squat to pick up the object. Keep your back straight, and hold the object close to your body.
• Don't twist your body while lifting.
• Push, rather than pull, when you must move heavy objects.
• If you must sit for long periods, take frequent breaks and stretch.
• Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels.
• Exercise regularly. An inactive lifestyle contributes to lower-back pain.

What Should I Tell My Doctor of Chiropractic?
Before any treatment session, tell your doctor of chiropractic if you experience any of the following:

• Pain goes down your leg below your knee.
• Your leg, foot, groin, or rectal area feels numb.
• You have fever, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, weakness, or sweating.
• You lose bowel control.
• Your pain is caused by an injury.
• Your pain is so intense you can't move around.

Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better quickly