Approximately 8 out of 10 people living in the United States will experience back pain at least once throughout their lifetime. Fortunately, many healthcare professionals, including chiropractors and physical therapists, are qualified and experienced in the treatment of back pain. Because symptoms of back pain may occur due to a variety of health issues, however, properly diagnosing the source of an individualβs back pain in order to treat them accordingly may often be difficult.
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Chiropractic care is a well-known, alternative treatment option commonly utilized to diagnose, treat and prevent a variety of injuries and/or conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. A chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, will carefully use spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, among other treatment methods, to safely and effectively correct any spinal misalignment, or subluxation, found along the length of the spine which may be causing symptoms of back pain. By restoring the original alignment of the spine, a chiropractor can improve the function of the spine, allowing the human body to naturally heal itself without the need for invasive procedures and/or the use of drugs and/or medications.
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Chiropractic care can improve a patientβs ability to better manage their back pain symptoms because it can help reduce pain and discomfort, decreases inflammation, and improves strength, mobility, and flexibility. Furthermore, a chiropractor may recommend lifestyle modifications, including nutritional changes and fitness advice, to speed up the patientβs recovery process. However, before seeking any type of treatment for your specific symptoms of back pain, itβs essential to understand the different types of back pain, its symptoms and its causes as well as what you can expect from a doctor visit for back pain.
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Table of Contents
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Back pain is one of the most common complaints frequently reported in doctor office visits on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, back pain has been identified to affect approximately three in four adults at least once through their lifetime. When referring to βback painβ healthcare professionals utilize the term loosely to medically define it as pain which originates anywhere between the upper back, or the cervical spine, and the lower back, or the lumbar spine, regardless of the cause of the symptoms.
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Back pain can also be characterized by different types of pain. Acute back pain is identified as short-term but severe in nature. Chronic back pain is long-term and may vary in intensity. It can often be severe, but it may also be identified as mild, deep, achy, burning, or electric-like in nature. Back pain which radiates into another part of the body, including the upper and/or lower extremities, is identified as radicular pain, particularly when it radiates below the knee, into the feet. This type of back pain is commonly known as lumbar radiculopathy. Fortunately, not all types of back pain include radiating pain symptoms.
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Dr. Alex Jimenezβs Insight
Back pain is a common symptom which affects about 80 percent of the population at least once throughout their lifetime. Because a variety of injuries and/or conditions may be the cause of back pain symptoms, many healthcare professionals consider the diagnosis of back pain to be difficult, however, back pain specialists, including chiropractors and physical therapists, can safely and effectively diagnose the source of an individualβs back pain symptoms. As a chiropractor, the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations can help naturally restore the original structure and function of the spine, without the need for drugs and/or medications or surgical interventions.
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When you visit a doctor regarding your symptoms, they may often use terms such as thoracic, lumbar, lumbosacral, or sacrum to describe your type of back pain. Back pain can originate anywhere along the spine, therefore, a healthcare professional will use the following terms to describe the source of the patientβs symptoms. The different regions of the spine are explained below.
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Back pain can be challenging to properly diagnose because the spine consists of 17 vertebral bones, from the upper back to the tailbone, many joints, the sacrum and tailbone. In addition, the spine is made up of other fibrous and muscular supporting structures, intervertebral discs, the spinal cord and nerve roots, as well as blood vessels. Trauma from an injury, such as a back sprain/strain from lifting and twisting simultaneously, can cause immediate and severe back pain which may often become debilitating if left untreated.
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Not all cases of back pain are due to trauma from an injury. Many other spinal health issues are congenital, meaning they developed since birth, degenerative or associated with age, due to disease, and they may even be connected to poor posture, obesity or the result of an unhealthy lifestyle habit, such as smoking. In other cases, the back pain may be worse than the severity of the injury and/or conditions causing it, which raises the question, βWhen should I seek medical attention for back pain?β If you are experiencing symptoms of back pain, among others commonly associated with spine health issues, you should seek immediate medical attentions if:
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Itβs normal for patients with back pain to feel afraid and anxious about seeking medical attention for their symptoms. Most individuals who experience severe and debilitating back pain will intuitively known when itβs time to receive the proper health care they need for their spinal health issues. Many healthcare professionals, such as chiropractors and physical therapists, are qualified and experienced back pain specialists who will help safely and effectively treat your specific back pain.
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Whether your doctor office visit is due to the urgent symptoms above or if youβre simply seeking immediate medical attention to prevent worsening back pain, below is a list of what you can expect in a back pain specialist visit. In order to properly diagnose the source of the patientβs back pain symptoms, a healthcare professional will first:
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After a thorough examination, a healthcare professional should then be able to come up with a proper diagnosis for the patientβs back pain. To obtain more information and to help confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may order an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Sometimes lab tests may be ordered as well. Itβs essential to keep in mind that an accurate diagnosis is essential towards a well-developed treatment plan. Once a proper diagnosis has been established, a healthcare professional will begin treatment accordingly, utilizing the recommended treatment methods for the patientβs specific cause of their back pain. Furthermore, a doctor may also be able to advice the patient regarding the best treatment methods to prevent further back pain.
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In conclusion, back pain is aΒ commonΒ symptoms which affects a majority of the population in the United States on a regular basis. Understanding the different types of back pain, its symptoms and its causes is essential towards receiving the right treatment from a qualified and experienced healthcare professional. Several procedures can be expected in a doctor office visit for back pain. Chiropractic care is a popular, alternative treatment option commonly utilized to help treat back pain and other injuries and/or conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. A chiropractor, or doctor of chiropractic, will utilize spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to carefully restore the natural integrity of the spine, reducing symptoms of back pain. The overview above can help patientβs understand the process they must undergo in order to find relief from their back pain.Β The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
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Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
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According to statistics, approximately 80% of people will experience symptoms of back pain at least once throughout their lifetimes. Back pain is a common complaint which can result due to a variety of injuries and/or conditions. Often times, the natural degeneration of the spine with age can cause back pain. Herniated discs occur when the soft, gel-like center of an intervertebral disc pushes through a tear in its surrounding, outer ring of cartilage, compressing and irritating the nerve roots. Disc herniations most commonly occur along the lower back, or lumbar spine, but they may also occur along the cervical spine, or neck. The impingement of the nerves found in the low back due to injury and/or an aggravated condition can lead to symptoms of sciatica.
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Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Back Pain Overview in El Paso, TX" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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