A few lower back pain facts:

• One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.
• Back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work. In fact, back pain is the second most common reason for visits to the doctor’s office, outnumbered only by upper-respiratory infections.
• Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.
• Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain—and that’s just for the more easily identified costs.
• Experts estimate that as many as 80% of the population will experience a back problem at some time in our lives.
   

Lower back pain can have many causes. It is important first to understand the complex structure of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles that must work in concert. Often it is overt trauma such as auto accidents or slips and fall that can sprain joints, damage ligaments, and strain muscles in the lower back. However, it is important to remember that the majority of lower back cases occur insidiously. That is, damage occurs over time due to repetitive stress and improper postures. Prolonged sitting, working at a computer, reaching over head, bending, and twisting are just some examples of repetitive stress that can damage the lower back.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation is one of the safest and most effective treatments for lower back pain. In fact, after an extensive study of all currently available care for low back problems, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, a federal government research organization, recommended that low back pain sufferers choose the most conservative care first. And it recommended spinal manipulation as the only safe and effective, drugless form of initial professional treatment for acute low back problems in adults.

Dr. Daniel Weber owns The Joint…a chiropractic place, located at 3016 Lake Washington Rd, Melbourne. Each visit is only $20 and no appointment is necessary. For more information call 321-254-2828 or visit www.thejoint.com.