Ranging from the occasional twinge to a debilitating ache, lower back pain is never something to ignore. It can keep you from doing the things you love, and your quality of life will be at risk. Back to Health Chiropractic in Florence, KY, specializes in determining the cause of lower back discomfort and helps people of all ages, occupations, and lifestyles find relief. If you aren’t sure why you’re in pain, their staff explains some of the common reasons.

4 Common Injuries Related to Lower Back Pain

1. Muscle Strain

A strain is when a muscle is pulled too hard or stretched too thin. Imagine a piece of plastic wrap being pulled past its limit and becoming ineffective. With muscles, this often happens when lifting a heavy object, twisting suddenly, or being involved in a collision with a large impact.

2. Ligament Sprain

A strain is upgraded to a sprain when the overstretching of the muscles also affects the ligaments attached to bones. The side effects of a sprain are similar to a strain, but torn ligaments typically take longer to heal. Sprains rarely cause long-term damage, but the initial pain can be intense.

3. Lumbar Herniated Disk

In between the vertebrae in the spine are discs for cushion and flexibility. The center of these discs is comprised of a jelly-like substance encased in a hard shell. With they become herniated, the soft middle breaks through the outer layer. Not only does it hurt when the disc wall tears, but the herniated portion usually comes in contact with a nerve root to cause severe inflammation and pain.

4. Osteoarthritis

Most commonly seen in older adults, osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by the gradual wear and tear of the spinal joints. It causes lower back pain that usually progresses with time as well as general instability. Regular chiropractic adjustments will relieve this pain.

Everyone is at risk of lower back pain. It can happen subtly due to age or all of a sudden after a sports injury or car accident. Regardless of the cause, an experienced chiropractor is your best chance at finding relief. Meet with a chiropractor from Back to Health Chiropractic for a personalized treatment plan. Call (859) 746-2222 or visit their website for more information.