If you have back pain you are not alone. Studies show nearly 8% of adults in the US struggle with chronic or persistent back pain. Studies suggest health care providers spend about $50 billion a year to manage low back pain. Yes, that’s – billion- with a ‘B’. Back pain can originate from a wide variety of sources, including poor posture, lifting heavy objects, inactive lifestyle and/or repetitive stress injuries.

Take Notice of Your Day-to-Day

When going about your daily routine, you may not realize the exertion you are inadvertently putting on your back, knees, and other areas. Being aware of your posture and listening to your body may help you avoid pain. Here are some tips:

Posture is truly important. When standing, make sure your feet are spread evenly apart, about shoulder width, so your weight is distributed. When sitting, make sure your chair’s height allows your feet to be flat on the floor. Also it is a good idea to avoid wallets or phones in your back pockets. Sitting on objects over a long period of time can cause spinal misalignment and back pain as you unconsciously adjust to being off-center. Additionally, slouching in a chair and leaning over a desk can cause significant lower back pain, and moreso, if you are bending your neck down to read your phone or text.

Lifting is another common cause of injury or pain. If your job involves lifting heavy objects, make sure you are doing so correctly. Lift with your legs, tighten your core and do not twist your back when lifting heavy items. These are especially important tips when it comes to repetitive tasks. If you are carrying several heavy items daily, be sure to alternate between heavy and light loads.

The single most common cause of lower back pain is a torn muscle or ligament. Strains and sprains can happen suddenly or slowly over time. Paying attention to your body’s movement and positioning can prevent serious injuries such as herniated lumbar discs, degenerative disc disease, joint dysfunction and even spinal stenosis.

Don’t ignore lower back pain once it starts. Speak with our team at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics to relieve pain and begin taking restorative measures to start the healing process.

Persistent back pain sometimes requires medical intervention but surgery is certainly not the first or only solution to chronic pain. Surgeries are costly, invasive, require long recoveries and are not always practical for the patient, particularly for those with an active lifestyle.

Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics specializes in treating acute and chronic back pain with unique and specialized treatments for each individual. We specialize in several non-invasive treatments, including injections, laser therapies and decompression therapy, among others.

Dr. Hall and Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics uses a series of diagnostic tools and specialized treatment methods to help our patients properly target the root cause of their pain and select the right treatment plan to get them back on their feet, pain-free, and on a path to complete healing.

Call for an appointment today: 423-499-0003, or use our online patient paperwork and set up your visit with us.

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