Lower Back Pain Treatments in Mississauga

Causes for Low Back Pain

Low back pain (LBP) accounts for a majority of presentations seen in chiropractic office. Approximately 80% of adults will experience low back pain in their lifetime. It appears that adolescence with LBP are more likely to experience LBP in adulthood. It has been estimated that 90% of LBP complaints could resolve on it’s own. However, remaining 10% accounts for a huge financial and social burden on society.

Low back pain can be dull and achy to severe and debilitating. Also, low back pain can encompass leg pain which, can drastically affect the quality of life. We would like to explain what structures potentially can cause the back pain and how we can treat the low back pain at our Mississauga and Oakville locations.

Anatomy of Low Back

Anatomy of the low back sets the stage for a better appreciation of potential causes of pain in the region. Lumbar segments are the largest in the human spine. There are 5 lumbar vertebral bodies and referred as L1, L2, ext. They are thicker and bigger in comparison to thoracic and cervical vertebrae. Lumbar spine is often referred as “Three Joint Complex”, essentially there are three joints in each functional segment in lumbar spine.

1. Intervertebral joint
2. Two facet joints (Zygapophyseal joints)

Another joint that we will include low back region is Sacroiliac Joint (SI Joint). What is an SI Joint: The sacroiliac joint connects the spine to the pelvic girdle. Main job of the SI joint is to transmit body weight equally to both side and provide stability to the lower limb. Sacroiliac joint is the biggest joints in human body which, due to SI joint size, it reinforced by numerous ligaments and muscles which, make it very stable.

What Structures Can Cause Low Back Pain

The Disc

The lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) is essentially divided into two parts: (1) an inner (soft) nucleus pulposus and (2) an outer (hard/fibrous) annulus fibrosus. The disc has been accused of being one of the major causes of LBP. When a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intravertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to bulge, the disc is said to be herniated. A tear in the disc ring causes inflammation, which can result in severe low back pain and/or accompanied with leg pain. Please follow the link for more specific and detailed information. Link will be provided shortly

Lumbar Facet Joints

What are the signs and symptoms to facet joint pain?

Pain is usually worse in the morning, morning stiffness that lasts less than 30 minutes, during periods of inactivity, and following exercise, lumbar spine extension or rotary trunk motions, is provoked by standing or sitting positions, and may be elicited on palpation

Facet joints account for 15-45% of low back pain, and it most frequently involves facet arthrosis (osteoarthritis). Low back pain may be on one side or both sides of the low back. Also, may refer pain down one or both buttocks, the sides of the groin, and back of the thigh (but not below the knee). Furthermore, if left untreated can progress to chronic low back pain.

Sacroiliac Joint (SIJ)

Signs and symptoms of SI joint dysfunction:

SI Joint pain represents 15-30% of individuals with mechanical LBP. Low back pain can be local and confined to one side as well as pain can affect both sides. Furthermore, some patient may complain of low back pain and buttock pain which, can affect one side or both sides of the body. Pain is usually sharp and stabbing in nature and aggravated by weight sitting or standing for long periods of time.

SI joint indicated by arrows (picture on the left). For more information on SI joint please follow please follow the link.

Risk Factor and/or Causes for SI joint Pain:

• Leg Length Inequality – if one of the legs is shorter than the other, the weight distribution and biomechanical loading of the joint changes and can produce pain.
• Too Little Motion – (Hypomobility) due to muscle or ligaments stiffness can produce limited motion in the SI joint which, subsequently can produce dull achy pain in the region.
• Too Much Motion: (hypermobility) due to ligamentous laxity SI joint can have access motion which, can lead to instability cause pain in low back. For example: low back pain during pregnancy or post-partum can be attributed to hypermobility due to hormonal changes.
• Inflammatory Conditions: (Sacroiliitis) such condition can cause the low back pain due to inflammation however, the bio-mechanical integrity of the joint remains intact.

Lumbar Strain and Sprain

What is the difference between sprain and strain? Strain refers to a muscle, if you hear someone say I pulled the muscle in my back he/she refers to a muscle strain. Sprain refers to a ligament. There are different grades of the for both strain and sprain, grade 1, 2 and grade 3. The grade depends on severity of the injury.

Risk Factors for pulled muscle in the back:

• Prior low back pain or injury
• Sudden unguarded movement
• Repetitive lifting and/or twisting (occupational hazard)
• Weak core muscle
• Prolonged seated posture
• Bad posture while sitting and standing

Signs and Symptoms pulled muscle in lower back

• Low back pain
• Stiffness or muscle spasms – onset immediate or shortly after
• Limited range of motion
• Pain is relieved by rest, heat and aggravated by activity or movement.

Lumbar Instability

Lumbar instability is the loss of normal biomechanical function between two adjacent vertebral bodies resulting in increased abnormal motion or malposition of vertebral bodies. There are number of reasons for instability one of the reasons is laxity in ligaments and/or muscles in the low back and abdomen. Please follow the link for more information on Lumbar instability. For more information on lumbar spine instability, causes and treatment options please follow the link (Link will be provided shortly)

Treatment for Low Back Pain in Toronto, Mississauga and Oakville

Can Chiropractic treatment help with low back pain?

The effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for low back pain has been recognized in several ways. Chiropractic care is cost effective, non-invasive and has a high satisfaction rates for patients.

Chiropractic Treatment Include:

• Spinal Adjustment
• Mobilization Techniques
• Muscle Release Therapy
• Medical Acupuncture
• Modalities such:
• IFC Machine
• Ultra Sound Machine
• Heat Therapy
• Advise on proper:
• Lifting techniques
• Sleeping posture
• Exercise
• Head Position while using a smart phone or an Ipad
• Ergonomics of the work space

Fees & Pricing for services Chiropractic Care