For anyone who has experienced true back pain, we salute you. It can be agonising. Excruciating. Debilitating. So much so that you are terrified that the inevitable sharp, shooting spasm will re-occur and you will do anything to stop it happening again – even come and see a chiropractor!
The good news is that almost all injuries will heal
Your pain will usually subside and you will get back to normal activity again. Understanding your problem, knowing how to manage it, and not being afraid of it is the key.
Getting experienced advice and treatment is crucial. We can help if you need us – BOOK NOW
Over the years, we’ve lost count of the number of clients who are too afraid to move properly due to being told they have “crumbling discs” or a “crumbling spine”. This sort of language is poor, fear inducing and misleading. Fear of pain causes apprehension, and a loss of control over your own health. Anyone who tells you that you have a “crumbling back”, is a poor clinician and you should seek a second opinion. Most back injuries will heal and can be managed.
Allowing your fear of injury to control you is NOT the answer.
A good example of this is our chiropractor Chris, who has had back issues since his days sitting at computers in his early twenties, which led to a disc prolapse and micro-discectomy surgery (its how he came to change his career to become a Chiropractor). He told us a story about his back from a few years ago:
“As I was sorting through some of our old things, I came across an old MRI scan of my lower back when I was in my first year of chiropractic school, at the ripe old age of 27 (I’m now nearly 50!). I’d had previous surgery at L5/S1 when I was 23 and suffered back flare ups on and off since then, but this one was bad.
If you take a look at my scan (red circle), you can see multiple disc bulges, inflammation of the vertebrae, a narrow spinal canal and degenerative (or so-called “crumbling”) discs.
I was suffering quite severe back and leg pain at the time, and I can still remember being told that I had the “spine of a 65 year old” by one of the doctors. Great, thanks. I was really quite worried. How would I cope with the pain? When will it stop? How will I live with this for the rest of my life?
Compare the above image to this MRI of a healthy 20 year old lower back. It has lovely alignment, healthy vertebrae and discs, and a nice spacious spinal canal. You can see, based on my scan alone, how it would have been easy to give up hope and let the pain and fear set in. And let it control my life.
But I chose not too. Thanks to my experience and training as a chiropractor over the last 20 years, and my neuro-mechanical nutrition training, at the age of nearly 50 I am stronger than I’ve ever been. I can ride mountain bikes down scary hills (that’s me in the main pic), squat my own bodyweight, and deadlift twice my own bodyweight. Sure, I get the occasional flare up (the degeneration hasn’t gone anywhere!), but it is extremely rare and when it happens I know how to manage it. And I can help you to do that too!“
You must learn how to manage your condition – there are no shortcuts!
One of the main challenges with persistent back problems is learning how to move better again with confidence and coordination. A big part of this is building stability, strength and mobility. This is done through appropriate exercise, a healthy diet and lifestyle and techniques such as Yoga, Pilates, massage and Chiropractic. You must learn how to manage your condition – there are no shortcuts!
Getting good advice and maintaining good quality movement is essential. BOOK NOW.
Take the Next Step
If you’re dealing with muscle, joint, or nerve pain that’s impacting your quality of life, chiropractic care, massage or shockwave could be the answer — whether that means short-term relief or lasting improvements, our care could help. If you are unsure which may be best for you, please feel free to contact us.
BOOK IN NOW. to start feeling better, move more freely, and support your body’s natural healing. We’ll work with you to identify any underlying issues and give you the tools to maintain your health.
Clinics in Stafford & Newport
We can help you to achieve better health. Our team of experienced chiropractors and massage therapists are ready to help you. We look forward to seeing you.
Your team at Pure Health Chiropractic
Article by Ethan Mallett
Content and Media Manager
Case courtesy of Mohd Radhwan Bin Abidin, Radiopaedia.org. From the case rID: 151544
