Back Pain Treatment in Clearwater, FL

Nearly everyone suffers from back pain, whether it’s in the neck, shoulders, or lower back. From sprains to disc injuries, even the smallest actions can cause tension in the back. The good news is that chiropractic care can minimize discomfort while speeding up your body’s recovery.

Our chiropractor, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip, offers back pain treatment in Clearwater, FL. With over four decades of experience, he’ll evaluate your physical condition and find the underlying cause of your back pain.

Learn what causes back pain and what your chiropractic treatment options are here!

Symptoms of Back Pain

Symptoms of back pain may come on suddenly or slowly appear. In many cases, back pain occurs after a traumatic event, such as lifting a heavy object. Other times, you might not know what’s causing your pain.

Back pain typically ranges from sharp, severe pain to a dull ache. It may also radiate down the back to the legs. Pain can be worse in some positions, such as bending over, and may ease when you’re lying down.

Other symptoms of back pain typically include:

- Stiffness – Back pain can make it difficult to move or stand up straight. Standing from a seated position may also take a bit longer, and you might notice a reduced range of motion.

- Muscle spasms – After a sprain or strain, muscles in the back can spasm uncontrollably. Muscle spasms are extremely painful and can make it hard to walk or stand.

Poor posture – If you have back pain, you may find it tough to straighten your back. You may stand bent or crooked, and your lower back might appear flat instead of curved.

What Causes Back Pain?

Back pain is caused by a variety of things, such as physical problems with the back or certain medical conditions. Some of the most common causes of back pain include:

- Strains and sprains – People with physically demanding jobs typically have an increased risk of back problems. You can injure tendons, ligaments, and muscles by lifting heavy objects or not lifting them safely. Heavy pushing, twisting, and bending over may also cause back pain.

- Fractures – The bones in the spine can break during an accident, such as a fall or slip. Conditions like spondylolysis or osteoporosis that weaken the bones may increase your risk of fractures.

- Structural issues – Conditions like Sciatica pinch the spinal cord, causing severe nerve and lower back pain. Spinal stenosis narrows and compresses the spine, causing pain and weakness in the low back and legs.

- Arthritis – Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that causes back pain. Arthritis may also cause stiffness and inflammation in the spine.

- Disc problems – Between each of your spinal vertebrae, there’s a small disc structure that provides cushioning. When one of these discs bulges and interferes with the spinal nerves, it’s called a herniated disc. With degenerative disc disease, the discs become flat and provide less protection, resulting in pain.

- Injuries and accidents – Sudden movements that cause a whipping motion may affect the muscles and supporting tissues of the spine. Injuries like whiplash can also damage your spinal discs and nerves.

Spondylolisthesis – Spondylolisthesis causes the spine’s vertebrae to slip out of place, leading to lower back pain and leg pain.

How Is Back Pain Diagnosed?

To find the cause of your back pain, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip will take a look at your medical history and perform a physical exam. After this is complete, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may use muscle testing to identify weaknesses in your body.

Using this information, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip will recommend a chiropractic treatment plan, depending on whether your back pain is related to strain or an underlying condition.

Chiropractic Treatment for Back Pain

Because everyone responds differently, Family Life Chiropractic doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Instead, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip evaluate their patients to ensure chiropractic treatment is appropriate for their condition.

Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may use a variety of chiropractic techniques to treat your back pain, including:

Chiropractic Adjustment

Depending on the cause of your back pain, you may need a chiropractic adjustment. An adjustment is a hands-on treatment that relaxes tight muscles, eases pain, and improves alignment and posture.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may suggest spinal decompression therapy for patients with disc problems. Non-surgical decompression shifts the position of the spine, which takes pressure off of the bulging spinal discs. This treatment improves movement and alleviates lower back and neck pain.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy relieves pain by stimulating cellular activity, allowing your body to naturally heal.

Nutritional Counseling

Our nutritional counseling services intend to complement your chiropractic care. Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip has decades of experience treating patients with nutritional counseling and may provide supplement recommendations to lessen back pain.

Posture and Ergonomic Exercises

Recommended exercises consist of general stretches focused on improving posture and preventing future back injuries.

Back Pain Chiropractor in Clearwater, FL

Whether you’re suffering from chronic back pain or want to prevent future flare-ups, Family Life Chiropractic provides chiropractic care in Clearwater, FL. As part of our chiropractic services, Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip will design a program to treat your back pain, so you can return to your everyday life!

Your back pain exam and consultation includes a health evaluation, a complete diagnostic chiropractic exam, an overview of your treatment options, and answers to any questions you might have!

Back Pain Treatment FAQs

When Should I See a Chiropractor for Back Pain?

Minor back pain might resolve on its own after a short period. However, if your condition doesn’t improve after two weeks or the pain continues to worsen, it may be time to see a chiropractor.

It’s also important to seek treatment if you have sudden or severe back pain that affects your daily life. If your back pain is spreading or hasn’t improved after rest, contact Family Life Chiropractic today!

How Can I Prevent Back Pain?

While there’s no way to prevent back pain that results from structural problems in the spine, you can try to avoid injuries and accidents. To reduce your risk of back injury, we recommend:

- Keep a healthy weight – Excess weight can put pressure on your vertebrae and spinal discs.

- Avoid heavy lifting – To avoid injury, lift items with your legs and not your back. Also, push heavy items instead of pulling them. Don’t twist your torso while lifting.

- Exercise and stretch regularly – Daily exercise and stretching can strengthen the core muscles that support the spine, preventing injury.

- Improve your posture – Try to maintain proper posture throughout your day. This includes sitting at eye level with your computer screen at work, making sure your work chair provides support for your middle and lower back, and wearing shoes with arch support. Poor posture can strain your back, causing tightness and painful muscle spasms. Dr. Jere & Dr. Philip may recommend exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your posture.

Maintain a comfortable sleep – Make sure you have the right mattress for your bed, and you feel comfortable in it. We recommend sleeping on your back or your side, using pillows for extra support.