What is Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is a common condition that affects many people. As the term indicates, the condition is characterized by pain in the lower back. Lower back pain can interfere with strength, flexibility, and mobility. This condition is the most common cause of disability for adults in the United States.

The aches and pain in the lower back can be due to one or more of a host of different conditions, such as pulled muscles, herniated discs, arthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders. 

Lower back pain can range in severity. For some, it may be an infrequent nagging discomfort, but for others, it can be a constant debilitating condition that interferes with one’s quality of life and ability to function. 

Signs and Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain occurs when there is discomfort in the lower back region. This discomfort may be due to soreness, aching, throbbing, spasms, and it may radiate down into the legs. For some, the pain is intermittent, or it may be triggered by certain movements, poor posture, or standing, sitting, or lying in uncomfortable positions. 

Though, for people with a more severe case, the pain may be constant and make it difficult to sleep or go about daily tasks. The pain can cause a numbing of the lower extremities, resulting in mobility problems. 

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Lower Back Pain

One might assume that since the pain is centralized in the lower back that the root of the problem lies there as well. However, the culprit of lower back pain can also be in the upper cervical spine. 

The upper cervical spine is made up of the vertebrae that support the head, running from the base of the skull, down the neck, and into the upper back. This is an area that’s vulnerable to injuries that can cause a misalignment of the vertebrae. 

When the vertebrae are misaligned, it causes swelling, inflammation, pinched nerves, and other problems. This causes us to shift our weight and adjust our posture to compensate, which puts strain on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the lower back.

How We Treat Lower Back Pain 

Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder are experts in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. The doctors first assess the issue by way of advanced diagnostic tools in order to target misalignments in the upper cervical spine with sophisticated 3D imaging. 

And once misalignments in the upper cervical spine have been pinpointed, our doctors use gentle but precise pressure to realign the upper cervical spine. Once the spine is corrected, it alleviates the problems in the lower back that the misalignment caused. The body, once realigned, can resume using its natural healing mechanisms to continue improving, bringing itself back to a  healthy state.

If lower back pain is interfering with your quality of life, please get in touch with Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau for an appointment. Located in Boulder, Colorado, Upper Cervical Chiropractic of Boulder also services Broomfield, Denver, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont, and Louisville.