Common Overlooked cause of Low Back Pain

There are many different instigators of pain in the lower back. Two of the most common ones are the joints of the spine (facet joints) and a degenerated/herniated disk. Both of these can cause irritation of the nerves such as numbness, tingling and produce a referred pain further down the leg (sciatica). However, another very common one that is often misdiagnosed by some practitioners is the sacroiliac joint. It is actually the joint between the “sacrum” and “ileum” bones located at each side of the pelvis and not in the spine at all.

Back not too long ago, it was thought that this joint did not move at all and was not a potential source of pain. A recent study has disproved this theory. The researchers in this study injected “freezing or anesthetic” specifically into this joint in people with low back pain. They used x-rays to be sure the needle was actually inside of the “sacroiliac joint”. Once the anesthetic was given time to take affect, the low back pain was significantly better and then the pain returned when the anesthetic wore off. Although it was not a cure for their back problem, it clearly demonstrated that the sacroiliac joint should be added to the list of possible causes of acute and chronic low back pain.

Problems with the sacroiliac joint are one of the most common causes of acute low back pain that I see in my office. It can occur in the absence of any heavy lifting or accidents. When sore, you will feel the pain two to three inches to one side from the middle of the low back. It can even occur on both sides at the same time. The nerves that control pain in this joint can cause pain to be referred to the hip, groin, and leg. As well, strong and painful muscle spasms can accompany the pain in the joint.

Research has also shown that the fastest way for any joint to heal, particularly in the low back and pelvis, is to restore the movement or mobility of the joint. All the joints in your body are designed to nourish themselves, remove swelling, and heal after injury. But, for this to occur, the joint has to be able to move properly. In cases of low back pain, the joints become very “stiff or jammed”. It is the job of the chiropractor to do “adjustments” to restore and maintain this movement, allowing it to heal.

If you have any questions about your back pain give me an email at landrumdc@gmail.com or visit my website http://www.landrumdc.com/

Forward Head Posture

The next time you go to Wal-mart for your weekly outing, try to notice how other people’s heads are positioned. Sound weird? Probably. But if you know what to look for, you can see which people likely have headaches and neck problems. When someone is standing with their arms at their sides, look at them from the side. Their ear, shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle should be in vertical alignment. In other words if you drop a piece of string from their ear it should pass through all of those points.

Did you know that for every inch a person’s head is positioned "forward", that gravity is pulling their head even further forward, equal to a pull of 10 pounds?! It’s true! As far as the muscles in your upper back and neck are concerned, they have to work even harder than normal in order to keep the head (chin) from dropping forwards onto your chest. This forces the muscles that raise the chin or pull the head back to remain in constant contraction, putting pressure and tension on the joints, muscles, and eventually the nerves of the neck and upper back. As an example, if a person’s head is tipped forward two inches, it would be similar to hanging a 20-pound watermelon from the front of his or her head? It is no wonder that people who do this consistently end up with tension headaches, upper back pain, and neck pain.

When your head is held in a forward position, the mobility of the joints in the upper four vertebrae of the neck will be significantly restricted. All of our joints need to move and be positioned properly to remain healthy. If these joints have abnormal pressure on them due to improper positioning and are not allowed to glide freely, degeneration of the joints and discs in that area will eventually occur.

To prevent forward head posture from happening in the first place, practice good posture and keep the muscles of your neck strong and flexible. If you have had forward head posture for some time, see your chiropractor so that the mobility in the joints and flexibility of the muscles within and around the neck can be restored. He or she can also show you some simple exercises to help strengthen and release the chronic spasm of the muscles involved. Once your treatment protocol is complete, your postural habits are improved, and you either commence or continue to exercise regularly, your persistent neck pain and headaches will be a thing of the past.

If you have any questions about your back pain give me an email at landrumdc@gmail.com or visit my website http://www.landrumdc.com/

Note Homer's excellent head posture