Back pain is something most people suffer from at some point in their life and with Back Pain Awareness Week taking place from 7^th-11^th October, we thought it was a great time to give you an insight into some of the common causes of back pain, as well as tips on treatment and how to prevent pain from occurring in the first place.

Not all back pain is the same

There are many different types of back pain, with some common examples including scoliosis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, piriformis syndrome, slipped discs, disc herniation, sciatica and facet dysfunction. Let’s take a look at each one in brief detail –

Scoliosis – This happens when the vertebrae is angled or twisted, and most people are born with this condition.

Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – Your sacroiliac joints are located at the bottom of your spine, and thus referred pain in the buttocks is a common problem.

Piriformis syndrome – This causes buttock pain and spasms because the piriformis muscle becomes irritated. Other symptoms include tingling and numbness.

Slipped disc – This happens when the discs between the bones of the spine become damaged and thus press on the nerves, causing weakness, tingling, numbness, neck pain and back pain.

Disc herniation – This occurs when the outer fibres of the intervertebral disc are torn. Some people do not experience any symptoms whereas others suffer from pins and needless, numbness, leg pain and buttock pain.

Sciatica – This is caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve.

Facet dysfunction – Facet joints are stabilising joints that are found at every spinal level. Face dysfunction is one of the most common causes of recurring back pain. If you don’t seek back pain treatment for this, the problem can end up getting a lot worse.

Back pain prevention

Now you have a better idea of the different types of back problems, but how do we prevent back pain from occurring altogether?

Tips on how to prevent back pain:

• Improve your lifting technique – Improper lifting and bending is one of the main causes of back pain.
• Sleep on your back or side – This will keep your spine neutral and elongated.
• Do core exercises – This includes the likes of planks, squats and lunges, all of which will strengthen a number of spine supporting muscle groups.
• Avoid wearing high heels – High heels cause strain on the lower back by shifting your centre of gravity.
• Take a break from the computer – Sitting hunched over a computer screen is no good for your back.
• Improve your posture – Consider investing in a chair with low-back support or a straight back, and while seated try to keep your knees a bit higher than your hips.

If you do experience any type of back pain, visiting a chiropractor is the best solution. They can diagnose the problem and put together a bespoke treatment plan. They also have a wide range of approaches available in terms of back pain treatment, from exercises and heat/ice application to hand manipulation techniques and braces.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of ways to prevent suffering from back pain, and the steps you should take if you are suffering from this problem. The good news is that Younger Chiropractic Clinic is here to assist, and in celebration of Back Pain Awareness Week we are doing an incredible offer of £10 off diagnosis and treatment for appointments that are booked between the 7th and 13^th October 2015. To book an appointment, simply give us a call on 0151 648 7878 or send an email to [email protected].