I get asked on a daily basis what causes back pain and subluxations. The simple answer is Thoughts, Traumas and Toxins.

Thoughts:

This is a fun way to say stress. I’m sure you have heard the saying “A day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.” The same is true for your spine. When you become stressed you tense up and this can cause your spine to become misaligned. If you are a frequent blog reader you know that this misalignment causes a pinch on the nerves and causes muscle tightness/spasm and pain. It can also cause arm and leg pain/tingling/numbness.

Traumas:

This one is actually two categories. There are microtraumas and macrotraumas. A microtrauma is a repetitive small trauma. The most common are prolonged sitting, flexion to use your phone or tablet, long car rides and even sleeping posture. Think of it like a drop of water. One single drop of water is no big deal. But a continuous drop of water over time can cause some serious damage. Most often patients that have microtraumas ask me, “but I didn’t do anything, didn’t lift anything, or fall to hurt my back. Why does my back hurt?”

Macrotraumas are more obvious and what people think of more often for a way to hurt their back. We all know lifting that big rock in the front yard is a dangerous movement. This type of trauma is the classic over straining to lift something or a fall. Car accidents of course fall into this category too. The absolute worst position you can put your spine in is, flexion and twisting at the waist while reaching your arms out away from you. This puts 10 times more strain on your spine and discs. Most injuries I see are from this motion. It is typically the shoveling, raking, weed wacking, car washing/maintenance, child lifting, golfing…positions.

Toxins:

This one is usually a surprise to patients. Toxins can be drugs, chemicals and food. Everything we put in and on our bodies has an effect on our entire body and usually multiple systems. Drugs can be prescription or recreational. You know all the side effects to drugs, if you don’t, watch tv one night and listen to all the side effects on those drug commercials. I’m not a huge nutrition guy when it comes to my practice. Some chiropractors love to help with supplements, diets, weight loss and what is referred to as the chiropractic lifestyle. Basically it means healthy eating, wellness care and exercising. Taking care of the machine that is your body. The bottom line is your Mom was right. You are what you eat. If you eat junk food your body will feel like junk.

If you happen to find yourself in a spot where you think you need a chiropractor I am currently accepting new patients and would love to help you feel better and enjoy life to the fullest. See you soon!