Severe upper/lower back pain

Although back pain can be focused on one area of the body- the back actually consists of 3 parts.  This is exactly why austin chiropractor Dr. Daniel Gonzalez focuses on treating the whole spine – not simply one area!  The 3 parts of the spine include the upper back or cervical spine, the mid back or thoracic spine and the low back or lumbar spine.  Most chronic back pain occurs in the lower back.  In fact, lower back pain is one of the most common conditions among adults and one of the leading causes of physician visits in the U.S.  At least four out of five adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives.

How does back pain develop?

Many cases of back pain, especially in young people, are caused by the accumulation of stress on the muscles, ligaments and tendons that support the spine.  Less common causes are medical conditions known as spondyloarthropathies and congential abnormalities.  The vast majority of the population has disc syndromes that are present long before symptoms or pain actually occur.  It's no  secret that today we live extremely sedentary lifestyles compared to our ancestors.  Because of this, our jobs and current lifestyles create a vulnerability to this type of stress or damage.  Obesity, which increases both the weight on the spine and the pressure on the discs, is another factor. Strenuous sports such as football and gymnastics can also damage the back.

The most common cause of chronic back pain and disability is the development of osteoarthritis which occurs because of abnormal weight and stress placed onto the spine (examples include sitting for long periods of time, bad posture, unlevel hips, etc.).  Osteoarthritis is a condition that everyone will eventually experience because of this wear and tear.

It's important to note that the severity of pain experienced in this area is often unrelated to the extent of physical damage. For instance, a muscle spasm from a simple back strain can cause excruciating pain, making it difficult for the individual to walk or even stand. On the other hand, a herniated disc or completely degenerated disc can be completely painless.

What are the symptoms of back pain?

Common back pain symptoms for younger individuals aged 60 or less can include leg pain and numbness (usually a result of a herniated disc), lower back pain caused by movement (a common symptom of degenerative disc disorder and osteoarthritis onset), and low back pain and stiffness that worsens while standing.

In addition, individuals with minor back pain may be experiencing the earliest symptoms of arthritis. Osteoarthritis can begin in those as young as thirty, and may progress for many years before symptoms appear.