What is Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is a term used to describe a variety of conditions that cause pain in the lower back. These conditions can range from generalized muscle strain to more serious musculoskeletal disorders, such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal osteoarthritis.
Lower back pain is a common complaint. In the United States, lower back pain is the leading cause of disability in adults, with approximately 31 million patient visits attributed to lower back pain every year.
Signs and Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
As you might expect, the most common symptom of lower back pain is soreness and discomfort in the lower back region. This pain is often described as a dull ache or throbbing sensation that begins in the lower back and radiates down the buttocks and legs.
The pain can be continuous or intermittent in nature and may be aggravated by prolonged sitting and standing. In severe cases, lower back pain symptoms can lead to numbness in the lower extremities and/or mobility disorders.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Lower Back Pain
In addition to supporting the head carriage, the upper cervical spine is also responsible for maintaining a healthy range of motion and mobility in the neck and lower back. For this reason, pain in the lower back is often related to strain or dysfunction in the upper cervical spine.
The most common cause of upper cervical spine dysfunction is a vertebral misalignment in the atlas or axis vertebrae. Vertebral misalignments are usually caused by repetitive stress injuries in the neck and upper spine. These injuries can be the result of poor posture, occupational hazards, or traumatic impact events.
When the upper cervical spine is out of alignment, the body compensates by shifting the weight of the head and neck forward. Over time, this position will wreak havoc on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck and lower back, causing joint inflammation, and wide-ranging muscle strain.
Left untreated, inflammation and musculoskeletal strain can contribute to a wide range of lower back pain symptoms, including chronic pain, flexion/extension restrictions, muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, and stiffness.
How Our Lower Back Pain Treatment Works
To address the root cause of lower back pain, our treatment program will focus on restoring the normal alignment of the upper cervical spine and relieving the abnormal stresses that are contributing to the strain and inflammation in the neck and lower back.
The first step in our treatment program is to detect and locate any misalignments in the upper cervical spine. To do so, our expert chiropractor will use a combination of diagnostic tools, including gentle X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography scans.
Following the initial assessment and examination, Dr. Bello will perform precisely targeted corrections to the upper cervical spine. By relieving musculoskeletal tension and restoring normal joint mobility, our treatments aim to eliminate inflammation and reduce the frequency and severity of your lower back pain.
If you are looking for a natural and effective remedy for lower back pain, we are here to help you. Dr. Bello services patients in West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, and the surrounding areas.