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3 Types of Back Pain And When To See A Chiropractor

Writer's picture: Mattia Spinal Care & Rehab CenterMattia Spinal Care & Rehab Center


It is common to experience back pain at one time or another. 31,000,000 Americans suffer from low-back pain at any one time. Different types of back pain are different. Some experience dull, throbbing pains while others feel sharp pain. Others have constant pain that gets worse when they sit for prolonged periods of time or exercise.


Back pain is complicated because it's made up of bones, joints and ligaments. However, there are three main causes. We'll be discussing the main causes of back pain and how to identify them in this article.

What kind of pain should you see a chiropractor for?

Although there are many causes of back pain, we can identify three main ones here:

1. Discogenic back pain

When the discs between the vertebrae become damaged, this type of back pain can be caused. These discs can bulge, tear, herniate and even extrude or irritate nearby nerves. A problem in one or more intervertebral disks is responsible for 40% of chronic spine pain. Although disc degeneration can cause discogenic pain, not all cases of disc degeneration are the same.

Most discogenic pain is experienced by middle-aged people and the elderly. If disc degeneration is causing back pain in younger individuals, it's usually due to disc damage. Sciatica is a condition that many people experience. It's caused by a herniated disk in the lower back. A herniated disc can place pressure on the sciatic nerve causing pain, burning, tingling and numbness radiating from the hip to your feet.

Discogenic back pain can be caused by activities that increase pressure in the intervertebral disk, such as sitting forward, coughing, and bending forward. Patients with discogenic pain almost always experience pain when they bend forward.

We create a customized plan for each patient if we find out that they are experiencing discogenic back pain. This includes pain relief, prevention, and strengthening of the spine muscles to prevent future disc herniations.

2. Joint-Related Backache

This is a type of backache that occurs when the spine's joints (also known as zygapophysial or facet joints) become restricted, adhered, or degenerated. To provide mobility and support, each vertebra has two sets of facet joints. These facet joints can develop worn cartilage, which can prevent normal movement. Bone spurs may form as the bone tries to adjust to a lower support level. Inflammation can result in osteoarthritis. Bone spurs may form to compensate for the loss of cartilage. This can pinch nerves, causing back pain.

Facet joint degeneration is similar to disc degeneration. For a long time, it can be completely painless. It is usually a dull, dull feeling of pain that occurs in the lower back, shoulders and back of the skull. Radiating back or neck pain is when the pain spreads beyond its source. Patients suffering from joint-related pain often feel pain when they bend forward or backwards.

As the cartilage provides support, disc degeneration can occur as a result of changes in the facet joints. As we age, these changes occur naturally as the cartilage that supports our facet joints starts to degrade. This type of back pain is most common in those over 40. It affects both men as well as women. This type of back problem is more common in those who have suffered from arthritis or who have been injured by a spinal injury.

If a patient is suffering from joint-related pain, we aim to help them by providing deep tissue massage and strengthening the muscles around the joint. Proper posture is one of the most important things that you can do to maintain your spine alignment and prevent future problems. It is important to ensure that your spine doesn't suffer from prolonged sitting.

3. Muscle-related back pain

This is a type of back pain that occurs when the discs and joints signal to muscles to tighten in order to protect the affected area. This type of pain is also known as myalgia. This kind of pain can also be caused by strain, overuse, poor posture, or excessive lifting. Back muscle strains can be caused by lifting too much weight, improper lifting, poor posture, repetitive movements like golfing, and lifting heavy objects. This kind of back pain is also seen in patients who have been involved in a car accident.

Your back pain may be muscle-related. This means that the pain will only radiate to one part of your body and not spread to other parts. You may feel your back tender or spasm. Your muscles will likely become stiff and tighten to protect the area. It can be sudden and you may feel better if you relax the affected muscles.

Muscle-related back pain is often caused by twisting and bending to one side. This causes the pain to get worse. Our goal is to alleviate the patient suffering from muscle-related backache and to relax the muscles in order to prevent future pain. There are many methods that our chiropractor can use to achieve this, including dry needling and class 4 laser therapy. Deep tissue work is also possible.

Although there are some red flags that may cause back pain that are not related to the spine, they are far more rare than those three types. Back pain can be caused by kidney problems, cancer, or other non-spinal issues. However, they are rare and rarely present on an exam.

When To See A Chiropractor?

If you’re dealing with pain or any out of the normal issues, it’s important to see your medical doctor. If you’ve been to your doctor, specialist, or have tried medications that aren’t working, we recommend seeing our chiropractor.

It would be our pleasure to help you feel like yourself again. Contact our team to schedule your appointment today!


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