Low Back Pain Treatment at Graham Chiropractic Wellness Center

At Graham Chiropractic in Modesto, we see many patients with low back pain, which can be caused by several disorders of the spine. Lower back pain can be caused by disc herniation, degenerative disorders, spinal stenosis, or a lumbar sprain. This kind of pain is usually referred to as “discogenic back pain”, meaning that one or more of the intervertebral discs between each vertebra is the source of pain.

Discogenic Pain Symptoms

Discogenic low back pain has several specific symptoms including low back pain, or leg pain called radiculopathy, caused by pinched nerves in the lower back. As people age, the spine structure changes, and so do the discs, which start to degenerate. Discogenic pain usually occurs during movements that increase the pressure within the disc—movements like bending forward, sitting or even coughing and sneezing. Patients who have discogenic pain often complain of pain that starts in the spine and travels down the extremities. Some patients also report muscle weakness, numbness, muscle spasms and sciatica.

How Discs Cause Pain

Discogenic low back pain is usually chronic pain; your body keeps hurting for weeks or months because the nerves keep firing after the initial injury. Doctors define chronic pain as lasting more than six months. Each intervertebral disc has a hard outer ring and a gel-like interior, and each disc has a nerve supply. The discs sit between each vertebra of the spine, acting like built-in shock absorbers to cushion impacts as the spine moves and flexes. When discs become weak and brittle with degeneration, the discs can slip out of place.

Contact Our Local Chiropractor for Diagnosis And Treatment Today

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is the best way to see degenerative disc changes. Discogenic pain usually starts off simple and worsens over time. Doctors usually try bed rest and physical therapy first, and will likely also prescribe pain medication or anti-inflammatory medication. Chiropractic care is a great technique because we use adjustments to move the disc back into its normal location, thus alleviating the pain. Don't suffer--give us a call at Graham Chiropractic today at 209-545-8727.