Wellness.MA
Wellness.Massachusetts

Lower Back Pain and Disc Problems

Dr. Scott Fuller, D.C., C.C.S.T.

The number one reason a person seeks help from any health care practitioner is for low back pain. If the source of pain can be clearly identified, appropriate effective treatment can be administered, and the patient will better understand the problem and what they can do to get and stay well.

Medical research has clearly indicated that the number one source of low back pain is the discs. Therefore treatment must focus on the restoration of disc health.

Discs are the tough fibrocartilagenous pads that separate bones of the spine. The center of a disc is called the nucleus and is filled with a gelatinous substance, which is about the consistency of toothpaste. Strong, criss-crossing fibers, called annular fibers, surround the nucleus and give the disc its shape and strength. Discs allow for motion of the spine and disperse gravitational and mechanical loads. The discs of the spine are well supplied with nerve endings called receptors. One group of receptors, called mechanoreceptors, is sensitive to motion. Another group of receptors, called nociceptors, are sensitive to pain and inflammation. If the discs and joints of the spine are healthy and flexible the mechanoreceptors are continuously stimulated. Mechanoreceptor nerve traffic is essential to keep the brain happy and healthy. If the discs and joints become irritated and stuck, the mechanoreceptors are not stimulated. Consequently, nociceptive nerve traffic replaces mechanoreceptor nerve traffic, which may result in pain.

During the early stages of disc irritation one may not have any pain. Disc irritation begins early in life during birth, early childhood trauma, poor posture, sports injuries and lack of physical activity (which reduces flexibility and motion). Other injuries including falls, lifting, and automobile accidents may injure discs. Injuries and wear and tear to the joints and discs may "heal," meaning the patient's pain goes away. This repair occurs with scar tissue. Scar tissue is a cheap grade of original tissue and is weaker, stiffer, and more sensitive to pain. The accelerated wear and tear and scarring may continue to a point when many years later the patient has pain and does not know why.

Disc problems (injury and degeneration) usually develop slowly over time and with little or no pain, therefore the person is not aware of the problems until later stages. X-ray and MRI tests may not find any abnormalities, but the pain is still coming from irritated discs and joints. Most cases, even herniated discs, may be helped with chiropractic care, appropriate exercises, ergonomic changes and posture improvements.

Many of you that experience low back pain think, or are told, that the muscles are the cause of pain. You may be given a diagnosis of "pulled muscles," "back strain" or "muscle spasm." Treatment is usually painkiller drugs, muscle relaxer drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs, heat and rest. Although you may have tight, sore, tender muscles, muscles are rarely the primary cause of your suffering. The muscles are secondary sources of pain, but in over 95% of cases irritated discs and joints are the primary causes of back pain. Ice outperforms heat, because ice is an anti-inflammatory, and heat is the opposite. (Ice also works directly on the site of the swelling and without side effects.) Movement is a better choice than bed rest. Current research shows anti-inflammatory drugs taken after 72 hours following injury may actually interfere with proper healing (with side effects). Muscles have an abundant blood supply and heal quickly, with few residuals. Discs have no blood supply after age 20 and joint blood supply is poor, therefore healing is slow and poor.

In many cases properly administered chiropractic care can help improve many disc conditions. At Fuller Chiropractic patients undergo a thorough history and complete examinations, perhaps including x-rays, to accurately determine the source of pain. After a diagnosis is formulated, the diagnosis is explained in simple terms to the patient. A report of findings discusses the examination, the diagnosis and a treatment plan that addresses the problems, both short and long term. Patients are required to come to one workshop at the office to learn everything they need to know about their condition and to save time, pain and money. This program is designed so that people can once again enjoy their work, relationships, sports, and play time.


If you or someone you know suffers with lower back pain, give Fuller Chiropractic a call at (781) 933-3332 to schedule an appointment and see how chiropractic care can be part of the solution.

Created by: Dr. Scott Fuller, D.C., C.C.S.T.
Fuller Chiropractic
576 Main Street
Woburn, MA 01801

(781) 933-3332

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