Why Do I Have Back Pain?
Our backs comprise various ligaments, tendons, nerves, and muscle groups that work with the spine to support many common movements. Within the back is the spine, a complex structure that provides flexibility and range of motion and connects parts of the musculoskeletal system (soft tissues and joints).
Because the back is our central support and numerous pressures are placed upon it regularly, it’s vulnerable to injury. When the back’s tissues or spine are damaged, pain is often the result, and everything from proper movement patterns and posture to quality sleep is put at risk.
Reasons we experience back pain include:
- Bulging or herniated discs and degenerative disc disease
- Sciatica
- Sprains, strains, and inflammation
- Nerve impingement
- Pulled muscles
- Spine compression
- Arthritis
- Scoliosis
- And more
Our back pain chiropractor in North County San Diego is prepared to find the cause of your back pain so the best treatment can be applied. We know your discomfort needs to be controlled so you can get back to living in comfort. Let us help.
What is Sciatica?
Many patients suffering from back pain believe it to be sciatica, and with sciatica affecting approximately 40% of Americans at some point in their lifetime, it’s not a wrong assumption.
Sciatica involves an injury within the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, running from the lower back and down each leg. It supports movement in various parts of the leg and sensations to the back of the thigh, lower leg, and sole of the foot.
When undue pressure is placed on the nerve, typically because of an injury to surrounding soft tissues, the condition is referred to as sciatica and may cause many symptoms, including:
- Pain
- Weakness
- Numbness
- Tingling
Because of its size, these injuries and symptoms can occur anywhere in the lower half of the body along the nerve’s path. Often, sciatica leads to lower back pain.
Self-diagnosis is never a great option when you’re in pain. Working with a chiropractor, you’ll get reliable results based on a physical exam, which is essential to healing. If we find that sciatica is the reason for your back pain, our team will create a solution based on the condition and several other factors.