Low Back Pain

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•Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work and a leading cause of disability worldwide. 

•Most people have back pain at least once. Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve most back pain episodes. 

•If prevention fails, chiropractic treatment and proper body mechanics often will heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain!

•Muscle or ligament strain: Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement may strain back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you're in poor physical condition, constant stress on your back may cause painful muscle spasms.

•Bulging or ruptured disks: Disks act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The soft material inside a disk can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve. 

•Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. Arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.

•Skeletal irregularities: Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain.

•Osteoporosis: Your spine's vertebrae can develop compression fractures if your bones become porous and brittle.

•Age: Back pain is more common as you get older, starting around age 30 or 40.

•Lack of exercise: Weak, unused muscles in your back.

•Excess weight: Carrying too much weight puts extra stress on your back.

•Diseases: Some types of arthritis and cancer can contribute to back pain.

•Improper lifting: Using your back instead of your legs.

•Smoking: This can keep your body from delivering enough nutrients to the disks in your back.