Back pain, or more specifically lower back pain is one of the most common pains and symptoms our patients seek out care for. The vast majority of adults in the United States will report experiencing back pain semi regularly as they get older, but despite how common it is, back pain should not be accepted as the standard. Pain is the body’s way of alerting the brain when something is not right, and the most common treatment and course of action for that pain is prescription medication. While prescription pain medication can dull the nerves, it can’t fix the problem. There are also numerous side effects of taking these medications for long periods of time, as they are highly addictive and can be extremely damaging, as shown by the opioid epidemic.
If you or a loved one is experiencing back pain that doesn’t go away shortly, it might be time to start looking into treatment. There are some lifestyle changes that can be made to help back pain, including improving posture while sitting, wearing supportive shoes with cushioned insoles, and potentially improving your mattress quality and sleeping position. If none of those minor changes makes a difference, we recommend looking up upper cervical chiropractors near me, or if you’re located in Athens or Watkinsville, GA, give our office a call.
Lower back pain can be caused by numerous incidents, including former injuries, car accidents, or sport trauma, but most often it stems from years of bad posture, sitting in an unsupportive desk chair for years, poor footwear, anything that could slowly cause inflammation or misalignment in the spine. What many people are unaware of is how the upper cervical spine, or basically the neck region, can be connected to their lower back pain.
We like to explain spinal health as a top down approach type of system. The top two bones of the spine, the atlas and axis vertebrae, support the head, allow the head to move in all directions, protect the brain stem, and keeps the eyes level. If an injury, bad posture, or some other issue causes strain on the neck, this can cause nerves to get pinched, pressure to be placed on the area, and other issues that can affect the rest of the body. Because of the deeply intertwined relationship between the upper cervical spine and the nervous system, it’s incredibly important to maintain alignment in order to remain pain free and healthy. Any pressure or strain on the upper cervical area is bad news for the nervous system and brain stem, so as upper cervical chiropractors in Athens, GA, it’s our job to work with each individual patient’s needs, and improve their spinal alignment.
At our office we use x-rays and 3D imaging technology to navigate each patient’s unique spine, and diagnose exactly where the misalignment could be occurring and causing strain on the body. Getting x-rays and 3D images allows us to be incredibly accurate with our adjustments, and helps us to adjust precisely as needed, with no need for unnecessary jerking or cracking. Upper cervical chiropractic treatment is incredibly gentle, and is safe for even the most sensitive patients. To find out if your back pain could be coming from an upper cervical issue, give us a call and schedule an appointment today!