Does working from home have you perpetually seated and slouched over your laptop? The repercussions of back pain can be debilitating and interfere with daily life, work, and doing the activities you love to do. The upper back is also known as the thoracic spine and is composed of twelve vertebrae. The ribs connect with this portion of the spine and are partly responsible for protecting the spinal cord. The thoracic spine differs from the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) spine, in which it curves outwards (kyphosis) instead of curving inwards (lordosis). This provides the freedom of movement that allows you to touch your toes. However, it does not allow for back bending; that typically comes from the lower back.
Pain in the upper to mid-back can be caused by a variety of issues and can stem from the thoracic spine itself, ribs, muscles, tendons, and ligaments associated with it. Muscular pain is a common cause. The large upper back muscles are prone to develop strains or tightness that can be painful and difficult to alleviate. Upper back pain is typically due to either overusage (i.e. repetitive motions) or de-conditioning (lack of strength). Either sudden injury or natural degeneration of aging can affect the joints in the thoracic spine. This can lead to joint dysfunction and pain.
Chiropractic is a safe, effective, non-invasive treatment for upper back pain. If upper back pain becomes bad enough to limit activities, it can feel like a sharp localized pain or a general achiness that can flare up and possibly spread to the shoulder, neck, or elsewhere. Regular chiropractic treatment can provide immediate lasting relief, protect your posture, and effectively manage the pain and keep it at bay. Treatments may include: a wide-variety of soft tissue therapy, chiropractic manipulations/mobilizations, specific exercise recommendation, kinesiotaping, and ergonomic training.
The low back is made up of 12 lumbar vertebra and is primarily responsible for flexion and extension of the trunk. If you are experiencing low back pain, you are not alone. Low back pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek chiropractic care.
Low back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp, or shooting pain. Pain in the low back can manifest for various reasons. To name a few, low back pain can begin suddenly as a result of an accident, lifting improperly, too heavy or both, or a strenuous workout. It can develop over time as we age, from improper work ergonomics, poor posture, or getting too little exercise. Low back pain can be symptoms of more complicated matters such as degenerative disc disease, arthritis, stenosis, disc herniations, and disc bulges.
There are three types of low back pain:
• Acute or short-term low back pain lasts a few days to less than 6 weeks.
• Subacute back pain lasts 6 to 12 weeks,
• Chronic back pain continues for 12 weeks or longer.
Canadian chiropractors can provide education on your spine and posture, as well as create a personalized treatment plan including
back exercises and ergonomic solutions for your workstation.
Chiropractic treatment options primarily involves soft tissue therapy to decrease muscle tension and therapeutic manipulations/mobilizations to decrease joint stiffness and increase range of motion. Part of treatment also includes patient education on their spine and posture, rehabilitative exercises and stretches, and ergonomic solutions for your workstation, and lifestyle advice.
Give us a call at (604) 496-0626,
email at info@paradisechiropractic.ca,
or book online at https://paradisechiropractic.janeapp.com