Back pain is something with which we all deal. Around 85% of people experience it at some point. But is it normal to experience back pain as you age? Dr. James Sheehan and our team of chiropractors at Pro Rehab Chiropractic & Rehabilitation share their expertise.
Your spine isn't as resilient as you get older. Most patients start getting back pain around age 50, but it can happen earlier. Certain back conditions and injuries are more common with age, but persistent, chronic pain could be from an illness.
Many conditions cause back pain. The most common ones are disc injuries, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis.
Problems with discs are a common cause of back pain. Discs sit between your vertebrae, the bones in your spine. Their main function is to work as cushions and to absorb shock.
Certain factors can break down your discs, like:
When they wear out, you have a greater chance of getting a slipped disc. This is when your disc slips out of place.
Untreated disc injuries can lead to herniated discs. This occurs when the gel substance in your disc leaks out and irritates your nerves. Most younger patients experience back pain from a herniated disc.
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects your joints. Though it's most common in knee joints, it can affect your spine, too.
Your spine has cartilage that prevents joints from rubbing together. Aging and weight gain cause the cartilage to wear down.
As this occurs, you may experience pains and aches that worsen with movement. It can limit your movement and cause a lot of pain.
Spinal stenosis happens when parts of your spine narrow. The biggest reason for this is aging and osteoarthritis. As it narrows, it can pinch nerves in your back. This results in numbness, weakness, and tingling.
Back pain can be either acute or chronic. Acute pain is less severe and resolves within six weeks or less. It’s often caused by a fall or muscle strain. Chronic back pain is severe and persistent. It can last for more than three months and often doesn't have a specific cause.
You can relieve back pain with chiropractic care at Pro Rehab. We offer a variety of services to treat acute and chronic back pain, including:
If you want to find long-term relief for your back pain, use our online tool to book your appointment now or call one of our locations in Wilmington, Newark, Middletown or Lewes.
You Might Also Enjoy...
There is plenty of research supporting chiropractic care as an excellent approach for managing whiplash associated disorders (WAD). While the in-office treatment aspect of care—spinal manipulation, mobilization, soft tissue therapy, massage, modalities,...
If you’ve been in a car accident or suffered an injury to your neck and are experiencing pain or discomfort, take a moment to learn the signs to see if you might have whiplash.
If chronic headaches are disrupting your life and traditional treatments haven’t brought you the relief you need, chiropractic care may offer a solution. Read on to learn how chiropractic care can ease your headache pain.
If you’re worried about osteoporosis, understanding your risk of developing this debilitating bone disease can help you take steps now to prevent future problems. Take a moment to learn more about osteoporosis.
When it comes to a condition like chronic knee pain, there are many treatment options available to reduce pain and improve function, including chiropractic care. However, there are cases when a patient may opt for total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
No one wants to be in a car accident, and when accidents do happen it’s natural to feel overwhelmed — especially if you’ve been injured. If this describes your situation, read on for information on what you should do.
