Is back pain making it difficult for you to live an active life? Whether this pain is keeping you awake at night or making daily activities, chronic back pain can have a serious impact on your life. If you suffer from chronic pain, you are not alone. 31 million American suffer from low back pain at any given point, says the American Chiropractic Association. Back pain is the second most common cause for missed work.

Chiropractic Care Helps Treat & Prevent Chronic Pain

The majority of back issues are caused by mechanical problems. This means that care from our Tacoma chiropractor can successfully treat these conditions without the need for medication or surgery.

Whether you suffer from pain now or worry about the possibility in the future, understanding the causes for pain is the best way to treat current problems and prevent reoccurring issues. Heres what you need to know:

#1: Injury or overuse. Muscular strains and spasms caused by improperly lifting a heavy object or overuse can tear the ligaments, tendons and muscles that support our lower back. While many patients may not remember the exact event that triggered the strain or spasm, theyll definitely remember the pain associated with this injury. With proactive care from our Tacoma chiropractor, many minor overuse injuries will heal quickly.

#2: Pressure on the nerves from a herniated disc. A spinal misalignment is one of the most common causes for lower back problems. An accident injury, such as a car accident or sports injury, can easily cause a herniated disc in the lower back. Pain occurs when this disc places pressure on nearby nerves. Chiropractic adjustments are the most effective way to restore proper alignment to the spine and alleviate pressure on the nerves.

#3: Poor posture. All those hours spent hunched over a computer keyboard or slouching on the couch can catch up with you! Poor posture compresses the lower spine, which triggers chronic pain. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, ergonomic changes to your workplace will support correct posture.

How do you prevent back problems?