Eighty percent of Americans will suffer from back pain at some point throughout their lives, whether it is once or multiple episodes. Back pain is second to upper respiratory infections as the most common reason to seek medical care. Most episodes of back pain are structural or mechanical in nature or non-organic, for example not caused by serious conditions, such as a tumor, cancer, severe inflammatory arthritis, or fracture.

What Causes Back Pain?
The back is a complex unit of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Injuring any of these structures may cause back pain. Athletic injuries or accidents can cause back pain. Sometimes the simplest of motions-for example, getting out of your car-may have painful, debilitating results. In addition, arthritis, poor posture, obesity, and psychosocial stress may cause or exacerbate back pain. Back pain may also be a symptom from disease of the body’s internal organs, such as kidney stones, kidney infections, blood clots, or Osteoporosis (bone loss).

What Can I Do to Prevent Long-Term Back Pain?
If your back pain isn’t healing quickly, a comprehensive evaluation with the doctors at MCC will help in identifying the source of your pain and give you the necessary information to make an informed decision about the course of your back pain treatment. Your back pain will often stem from mechanical dysfunctions that the doctor can address. Many chiropractic patients with chronic or recurring back pain feel relief shortly after starting chiropractic treatment. The improvement they feel is often more substantial than after seeing a family physician. If left untreated, back pain may continue to affect you physically, structurally, and mentally for long periods after it begins. Neglecting to address your back pain may affect your ability to perform your activities of daily living without discomfort, work efficiently, exercise and most importantly live a higher quality of life.

Back Pain Treatment Northern, VA (Fairfax, Merrifield, Vienna, Tysons Corner, Falls Church and surrounding areas).

     Copyright © 2008 Merrifield Chiropractic Center. All Rights Reserved.