Question
Hello,
I'm a 22 year old female with a constant dull ache in my lower back. I have recently been having to crack my back up to 10 times a day, which relieves the pain slightly, although worried incase i'm doing more harm then good! I have tried walking, hot/cold patches and lying flat on my back, but these seem to increase the aching, have also tried NSAIDs, however would not like to have any tablets unless necessary, I was wondering if you could offer any advice.

Thank you.

Answer
Staten Island Back Pain , back ache , low back pain , NSAIDS ,




Hello Claire,


Sorry to hear of your back pain and concerns.

Let me 'cut to the chase':  see a local Doctor of Chiropractic.

You are 22 years old, you have a "....constant dull ache in my lower back.... ...I have tried walking, hot/cold patches and lying flat on my back, but these seem to increase the aching, have also tried NSAIDs, ....".

Your body is talking to you.

Will you listen?

You have a red light on your dashboard,,, will you bring the car to the mechanic for an evaluation?

Your body is talking to you.

Will you turn down the volume with symptomatic treatments- ie  medication, massage, hot/ cold?  - or  -  Will you look for a CAUSE to the problem, and look to treat the cause and not the symptoms?

Your body is talking to you.

Will you do nothing until your body is SCREAMING at you ?
     or
Will you do something to prevent it from getting worse and fix the problem?


In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I utilize patient information handout sheets.  I think this may be helpful to you:



PAIN     

Pain  is a  憆ed light on the dashboard?
 
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.

That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?  

Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down, or do you get it checked and correct the problem?   

Pain,  do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?  Take a painkiller, mask the pain, and allow a problem to progress in your body?



     NOTICE  ON  PAIN  RELIEVERS:
 
Label changes ORDERED by FDA;  the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news  206- 207;  12-9-06) ;

The  American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement  2-26-07).

NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage  destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse.  These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.


Pain  can  often  be  the  result  of  the  Vertebral  Subluxation  Complex.

Vertebral  Subluxation           (  慥SC?,    憇ubluxation?  )
Vertebral Subluxation  is  actually  a  quite  common  condition.

 Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties,   and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system  (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this).  VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.




Only  a  Doctor of Chiropractic  will  evaluate  and  treat  for  VSC,   as  well  as  other  pathology.



The course of VSC is highly variable.   Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights.    Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC,  some patients take years to develop symptoms.  Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months.  Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.  When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition.  Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.

       Vertebral  Subluxation   cannot   be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching,  yoga,  vitamins  or  physical  therapy  alone.       Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular-    mechanical-    problem  requires  a    mechanical correction-  -  -    a manipulation,         best  performed  with  the  chiropractic  adjustment.

Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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Lower  Back  Pain  (LBP):

        Low  Back  Pain  can be caused by many different things.

Big, BAD, catastrophic things like a tumor or a cancer can cause low back pain (only a proper exam by a licensed doctor, like your Doctor of Chiropractic, or your family Doctor of Medicine, can evaluate your signs and symptoms, and perhaps refer for testing).  

Big, bad things like a Herniated Disc, sciatica, possible fracture or dislocation can cause LBP (again, best evaluated by your DC or MD, and perhaps referral).  

Bad things, like  - Sprains, Strains, contusion, or Vertebral Subluxation Complex (all very efficiently diagnosed and treated by your Doctor Of Chiropractic.  

LBP can come from a motor vehicle accident, sport injury, slip, trip, fall, arthritis, lifting improperly, or even bad posture in standing, sitting or sleeping.  All of these things often have a Lumbar (Low Back) Vertebral Subluxation involved.

              Vertebral   Subluxation   Complex    (a.k.a.  憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.

A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.


This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:

    Spinal Kinesiopathology:
         This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.

    Neuropathophysiology:
         Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.

    Myopathology:
          Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.

    Histopathology:
         A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.

    Pathophysiology:
         Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.



The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.

         Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

          Vertebral  Subluxation  cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone.  Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical-  problem requires a mechanical   correction-  -  -    a manipulation,     best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.  Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate you for VSC- as well as the other possible pathologies.


Dr. Victor E. Dolan,   Doctor of Chiropractic;   Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST  Chief of Chiropractic  in  a  Hospital  in  New York State (DHSI);  As  Seen  in  PREVENTION  Magazine

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Claire,   I hope you see the importance of paying attention to your body, getting a proper evaluation, getting to the cause of the problem, and appropriately treating that problem-- rather then covering up the problem.

See a local Doctor of Chiropractic.  Get to the bottom of your
".....constant dull ache in my lower back....." .

I hope this helps you decide what to do. If you need further information, do
not hesitate to re-contact me here at AllExperts.com :
http://www.allexperts.com/ep/965-100794/Chiropractors/Victor-Dolan-DC.htm



Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)