What is Chronic Back Pain?
As the name suggests, chronic back pain refers to chronic pain that is experienced in the upper or lower back. Back pain can occur at any age and can be exceptionally disruptive to your everyday life. It is not uncommon for someone to experience back pain intermittently throughout their lives. However, if you have experienced back pain for more than three months, you are likely suffering from chronic back pain.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Back Pain
The specific signs and symptoms of chronic back pain will depend on the individual and their initial injury. However, some of the commonly experienced symptoms of chronic back pain include persistent aching or stiffness in the back, buttocks, or legs, difficulty standing up straight or walking for long periods of time, limited range of motion in the back or difficulty moving, muscle spasms or cramping, tingling or numbness in the back, buttocks, or legs, weakness or fatigue in the back, buttocks, or legs, and pain that radiates down the legs or into the feet.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Chronic Back Pain
The upper cervical spine comprises the seven vertebrae that form the neck, supporting the head and providing the framework for the spine. Dysfunction or misalignment in the upper cervical spine is one of the most common causes of back pain, as well as the other symptoms described above. This is because the upper cervical spine is closely connected to the rest of the spine and the nervous system, and any problems in this area can have a knock-on effect around the rest of body.
Left untreated, a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine can lead to the development of significant ligament strain and muscle imbalances. This occurs because the rest of the spinal column is attempting to compensate for the weight of the head. If not corrected, a misalignment in this region of the spine can result in chronic back pain.
How Our Upper Cervical Spinal Treatment for Chronic Back Pain Works
Here at Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Boulder, our upper cervical chiropractic specialists use a technique known as the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique to help relieve chronic back pain. In conjunction with advanced diagnostic techniques, Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic specialists can diagnose and treat upper cervical spinal misalignments that may be impacting your health.
Our Blair Upper Cervical specialists, Dr. Christina Coblish and Dr. Ryan Moeskau, can provide you with an effective and gentle treatment for chronic back pain. Before treatment begins, diagnostic testing is typically performed to determine whether there are any vertebral misalignments in the upper cervical spine that could be triggering your chronic back pain. With the use of cutting-edge 3D modeling software like CBCT scans, Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau can generate a detailed image of your upper cervical spine, making it quick and easy to pinpoint any problem areas.
After your initial diagnosis, if a misalignment is detected, Dr. Coblish or Dr. Moeskau will use precise, non-invasive, and gentle Blair correction techniques to push the affected vertebra back into its natural alignment. Don’t worry, unlike traditional chiropractic treatment, there won’t be any painful twisting or cracking. By pushing the upper cervical spine into the correct alignment, any compressed nerves or overworking muscles will ease, allowing regular nerve function to resume and the weight of the head to return to the upper cervical spine. With time, this should ease chronic back pain.
If chronic back pain is disrupting your life and you can’t find relief, Dr. Coblish and Dr. Moeskau can help. We service patients across Colorado, including Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Erie, Lafayette, Broomfield, and Denver.