Why Does My Back Always Hurt?

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Why Does My Back Always Hurt?

Why Does My Back Always Hurt?


Back pain is a very common problem affecting 80-90% of all of us at some point in our lifetime.  Why is that you ask?  There are many reasons.  One of the biggest reasons is that we are 2-legged animals carrying 2/3 of our weight above our waist.  Studies have shown deterioration or arthritis occurs much sooner in humans vs. 4-legged animals.  A 180 lb man roughly carries 120 lbs above the waist.  This means, every time he bends over, in order to stand upright, he needs to hold/lift 120 lbs PLUS whatever he is lifting.  When doctors hear “...but I only bent over to lift a pencil and my back went out,” seems impossible;  but in reality, the man in our example is lifting the pencil plus 120 lbs.  Now, let’s add to that the point that a 5 pound weight equals 50 pounds when held out in front of the center of gravity.  Now , if that’s not bad enough, let’s assume all of this is happening from a bent forward position, with a twist at the waist, with out-stretched arms, while lifting a 20 pound object.  Get the idea?  It’s amazing our back does not get injured every day as we lift 2 bags of groceries into the far end of a car trunk, or, when lifting a 30 pound child in and out of a car seat or when they are screaming and pushing away from us as we try to lift them!

In order to further appreciate why the back is so vulnerable to injury, some basic understanding of anatomy is needed.  At birth, the spinal column is made up of 33 segments of which 5 fuse by the time we’re about 18 years old to make up the sacrum        (bottom of the spine) and 4 fuse to make up the coccyx (tail bone), leaving 24 seperate moveable vertebra.  These are stacked up on top of each other like building blocks and are connected to each other by a shock absorbing disk in the front and two smaller facet joints in the back, acting like a tripod.  

In the low back, humans bear about 80% of their weight in the front and 20% in the back, but if abdominal muscles are out of shape and the pelvis rotates forwards, the curve in the low back increases and overloads the back of the vertebra (facets) making them vulnerable to injury.  The disk becomes injured when we bend/lift/twist.  This can tear the outer fibers of the disk, allowing the central more liquid-like material to leak out.  If this happens, the leaking or “herniated” disk can put pressure on nerves that exits the spine and travels down our leg.  If the pain pattern includes the back of the leg, it’s commonly referred to as “sciatica.”

OK, enough about anatomy.  What can you do to reduce the chances of having back pain?  Obviously, staying in shape is very important.  Certain muscles of the body must be tight to keep us upright or standing (e.g. hamstings and abdominal muscles.)  These muscles need to stretched and strengthened on a regular basis.  How about a visit to your back specialist (Chiropractor) to improve alignment and release some biomechanical stress?

You do have a choice in where you choose to go for your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services and look forward to serving you and your family presently, and in the future.

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Includes an exam, any necessary x-rays, report of findings, and 2 adjustments (Normally over $600.00)

Please call (925) 829-8484 to schedule your appointment!


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