Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal issues, affecting up to 80% of people at one time or another. At Complete Healthcare in Charlotte, North Carolina, experienced chiropractor Christopher L. Beller, DC, and the team specialize in using noninvasive and conservative treatments to manage back pain. Call Complete Healthcare today to receive treatment for back pain, or schedule your appointment online.

What is back pain?

Back pain makes it difficult to bend over, twist, or lift. It can occur anywhere along your spine, from the base of your skull to the area just above your waist.

Everyone experiences back pain occasionally, but most cases improve with at-home treatments like rest, ice, and activity modification. If your back pain continues for more than a few days or keeps you from your normal routine, contact Complete Healthcare.

What are the symptoms of back pain?

Back pain presents various symptoms, depending on its underlying cause and severity. Back pain is dull and aching for some people, but for others, it's sharp and shooting. In some cases, back pain triggers other symptoms, like headaches, tingling, or numbness.

What causes back pain?

Back pain occurs for various reasons, including:

• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis
• Bulging or ruptured intervertebral discs
• Muscle or ligament strains

Sometimes, back pain occurs because of poor posture or general wear and tear. For example, sleeping in an awkward position can cause the muscles in your back to seize up.

How is back pain diagnosed?

Your Complete Healthcare provider reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and completes an exam. They look at your neck and back, checking for redness, bruising, or swelling, and gently press on your spine to identify sensitive areas. 

Your provider asks you to rate your pain on a scale from 1-10 and have you perform a series of easy exercises to assess your posture, muscle strength, and range of motion. 

Then, they order a series of X-rays and MRIs to look at your vertebrae and intervertebral discs.

How is back pain treated?

At Complete Healthcare, the team treats back pain using conservative and minimally invasive treatments. Your provider may recommend:

• Chiropractic manipulation
• Cryotherapy
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy (TENS)
• Muscle stimulation
• Manual therapy
• Massage
• Spinal decompression therapy
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Traction
• Trigger point therapy
• Low-level light therapy (LLLT)

Back pain management typically includes several treatments combined with healthy lifestyle changes and routine checkups.

Is there any way to prevent back pain?

There’s no way to prevent back pain entirely, but you can reduce your risk by keeping your spine healthy and strong. The team at Complete Healthcare recommends exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and quitting smoking.

Call Complete Healthcare today to receive treatment for back pain, or make an appointment online.