Oftentimes, we can feel alone when we live with low back pain day in and day out. The pain can be frustrating and draining. However, did you know that low back pain is highly prevalent in the United States today? It is, in fact, the leading cause of morbidity and disability in the United States. It is also the second most common cause of hospitalization. You are not alone. And that also doesn’t mean you have to live with it either.
Not all low back pain is the same, however. Low back pain is common because of the many factors at play, including aging, sedentary lifestyles that include desk and computer jobs, poor posture/slouching, repetitive motion/movement often seen in factory-type work, and also seen in some genetic degenerative conditions.
The low back is comprised of bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, joints, discs, nerves, and blood vessels. Each of these parts can contribute to low back pain, and finding the root of the problem is key, rather than just chasing symptoms. Often, the pain is exactly that, the symptom, but the root of the problem is yet to be found. For example, if a muscle is tight, relaxing it may provide temporary relief. However, nerves control muscles, so if a nerve is being irritated and the irritation is not removed, the muscle may contract/spasm again, causing the same sensation and pain as before.
It is essential to treat low back pain quickly because too often it may lead to a more chronic condition. It may lead to more severe problems like sciatic pain in the buttocks or perhaps down into the leg and foot. Chronic conditions can become more challenging to treat because permanent damage may have accrued. This can lead to conditions such as sclerosis and arthritis, as well as degenerative disc and degenerative joint disease.
Untreated low back pain can often be a vicious cycle. Pain makes it hard to stay active and participate in the activities we enjoy. We start to lose joy in life, and we become even more sedentary, which can lead to weight gain and muscle loss, making it even more challenging to engage in the activities we love. Not only does low back pain affect us physically, but it often slowly consumes us mentally.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation With Your Doctor, Thorough Chiropractic Examination, Doctors Report of Findings, X-Rays If Necessary, First Treatment & MRI Review.
How Our Care Plan Works
1. See Exactly What Is Causing Your Pain
Step one is to better understand each and every patient through our thorough consultation process. This leads to a comprehensive spinal examination and any needed digital x-rays to better understand the problem at hand.
2. Get a Customized Gameplan To Fix Your Problem For Good
After the consultation, spinal examination and any needed spinal x-rays, a specific game plan to fix the problem is recommended which may include spinal adjustments, non-surgical decompression therapy, Softwave tissue regenerative therapy, orthotics, home exercises, or even possibly a referral to an appropriate provider if it is not a condition Dr. O’Keefe feels he can help.
3. Get Back To Everything You Love With The People You Love The Most
Enjoy the benefits of following your specific game plan that you have been seeking. Find joy in playing pickle ball again, bask in the excitement to get outside and garden, or perhaps feel the energy of sleeping well once again.
How We Treat Low Back Pain In Clear Lake, WI
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
We treat low back pain in our office by first understanding what each patient is experiencing and gaining a deeper understanding of the events that may have led to their visit. This is the power of the comprehensive consultation and spinal examination.
We begin our examination with a 3D postural assessment from Foot Levelers. We need to understand all components from the feet to the spine. Our 3D technology provides accurate information on foot biomechanics, arch differentials, and posture. We perform any necessary orthopedic and neurological examinations to understand the underlying problem for that patient. We also perform any essential digital spinal X-rays to assess the spine not only for its position but also for its condition. More often than not, patients are amazed to see what their spine really looks like, which provides essential information on their expectations for recovery.
When we can apply all this information and knowledge, it helps us better understand the root cause of the problem, rather than simply masking or covering up the symptoms. Covering up the pain often leads to the problem getting worse; more invasive procedures are needed to provide relief, and they are also usually more expensive to treat.
Digital X-rays
Digital x-rays are an essential procedure we offer in our office because they not only allow us to visualize the position of the vertebrae and spine, but also to assess the condition of the spine. Life leaves us with slips and falls, wear and tear, perhaps we have had motor vehicle injuries or work injuries. All these injuries can leave their mark on our bodies. Digital X-rays help us visualize where these injuries occurred and also provide a better understanding of the recovery process.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Clear Lake, WI
We offer specific chiropractic care that can help alleviate low back pain. Chiropractic refers to the hands-on application of adjustments to correct vertebral subluxations. A vertebral subluxation means that a vertebra is not moving as it is supposed to in relation to the other vertebrae. When it is not functioning correctly, this can cause nerve irritation, swelling, and muscle spasms, which can lead to pain. As a chiropractor, we make adjustments to these subluxated vertebrae to restore proper motion, which removes nerve irritation and breaks the inflammatory cycle, reducing and eliminating pain. A pill, potion, or lotion can not remove the mechanical distortion happening from a subluxated vertebra.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise Plan
Often, low back pain is not treated with a single treatment modality. As mentioned earlier, the low back is comprised of bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and nerves. So we must address all components. This is where therapeutic exercises are recommended for each patient.
Exercises are an essential part of low back pain relief because each person often needs a restrengthening phase of care. These muscles hold the spine in its proper position, and if these muscles are not firing correctly or have lost strength or endurance, the patient is likely to relapse into their low back pain condition. An example of these exercises often includes spinal stability and core exercises, such as Cat-Camels, Bird-Dogs, Dead-Bugs, and modified sit-ups, to name a few.
These movements pair nicely with the other treatments we offer and provide patients with at-home exercises to do. Treatment is a two-way street. Both the chiropractor and the patient need to do their part to make the most significant impact on the healing process.
Spinal Decompression
Another treatment often used in our office is non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. Spinal discs are made of the nucleus pulposus and annular ligaments. The nucleus is a very gel-like substance at the center of that disc, and the annular ligaments act as strong bands that contain that gel in the center. There is not great blood or nutrition flow to the center of that disc, so if a disc is injured, it is tough to heal.
As we think of a disc like a jelly donut, any abnormal position of those vertebrae stacked on top of those jelly donuts causes pressure on one side, which can cause that jelly to push toward one side over the other. Unfortunately, the weaker part of the disc is in the back corners, which is also where the nerve roots lie. If the annular ligaments in that disc become weak, the disc starts to bulge, causing inflammation and irritation of the nerve. This may lead to pain, numbness, or tingling down the leg. It can also get as bad as someone losing bowel and bladder function, called Cauda Equina Syndrome, which is an immediate surgical situation.
Non-surgical spinal decompression is a computerized mechanical table that helps expand and contract those discs in the low back. Think like an accordion as you pull it apart; it sucks or pulls air into the unit. Similarly, when we do that with the disc, it creates an internal pressure that pulls nutrition and fluid back toward the center of those discs. The rhythmic pulling and releasing over a period of time helps reduce low back pain.
Deep Tissue Laser
Another modality we commonly use to help treat low back pain is Softwave Tissue regenerative therapy. This modality utilizes electrohydrodynamic soundwaves to help alleviate pain by reducing inflammation, enhancing blood flow, and stimulating a healing response in the treated area.
It can be a cornerstone to healing because it supercharges the body’s own ability to heal! A softwave treatment can be done in as little as five minutes, but the effects can be significant. Often, patients undergoing Softwave therapy will notice that they feel the treatment taking place, sometimes accompanied by mild discomfort. But the mild pain can be worth the fantastic results we are seeing with this technology.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain in Clear Lake, WI
Bulged Lumbar Discs
A bulged lumbar disc is a common age-related spinal disc condition; however, it is becoming more prevalent in younger individuals. This condition is where the outer ring or annulus of the disc weakens to the point that it begins to bulge outward. This outward bulging movement can sometimes press on nearby spinal nerves, leading to symptoms such as low back pain, stiffness, numbness, and tingling in the leg.
Unlike a herniated disc, the outer layer of the bulging disc remains largely intact. On the conservative side, we have successfully helped individuals with bulging discs through our protocols, which may include some or all of the following: chiropractic adjustments, non-surgical decompression therapy, orthotics, and Softwave therapy.
Herniated Lumbar Discs
A herniated lumbar disc is a common age-related spinal disc condition, as a bulge is often the first step in its progression. A herniation is when the outer ring or annulus of the disc weakens enough that the nucleus pulposus material from the center of the disc begins to press through the annulus. Unlike the bulged disc, the annulus does not remain intact. Typically, symptoms of a herniated disc can be very similar to those of a bulging disc; however, a herniated disc may cause more severe symptoms. On the conservative side, we have successfully helped individuals with herniated discs through our protocols, which may include some or all of these: chiropractic adjustments, non-surgical decompression therapy, orthotics, and Softwave therapy.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative Disc Disease is a condition where the spinal discs, often considered shock absorber disc pads that are between each vertebrae, start to wear down, lose hydration, and become less effective in cushioning the spine. This can cause the disc height to diminish, leading to disc bulging, herniation, or tears, and often, bone spurs and arthritis form. This degenerative process can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the legs. Usually, age is a risk factor, but it appears to be affecting younger individuals more frequently. This may be happening due to more sedentary lifestyles, poor posture, and repetitive overuse injuries. We can help alleviate this condition through various treatments, including chiropractic adjustments, non-surgical decompression therapy, and Softwave therapy.
Facet Joint Dysfunction
Facet Joints are the other joints that help support proper movement and guidance, along with the discs in the low back. Facet joints are found throughout the entire spine, and in each region of the spine, the facet joints are angled differently to support specific movements in that area. Due to the angle of the facets in the lumbar spine and the weight of the human body, these facet joints can compress together, become irritated, and even become stuck. When they become compressed and stuck, inflammation accrues and can cause pain, and oftentimes that pain can spread outward across the low back. Chiropractic spinal adjustments and non-surgical decompression therapy can help this condition by restoring normal movement to the facet joints and allowing them to move as they were intended.
Subluxation
A subluxation can occur due to the everyday wear and tear on our low backs, including slips and falls, repetitive movements at work or during exercises, poor posture, and sedentary lifestyles, among other factors. These subluxations are the initial stages of irritation, which can contribute to symptoms such as low back pain and postural alterations, leading to problems with the hips, knees, and ankles. As a trained chiropractor, I assess the biomechanics of the spine through visualization and with the 3D postural Foot Levelers scanner. We also evaluate by taking any necessary digital X-rays of the spine to determine its position and condition. Chiropractors are the only trained professionals to detect and correct vertebral subluxation, much like a dentist is to cavities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do to relieve my low back pain in Clear Lake, WI?
Of course, there are many options available to help alleviate low back pain. However, each cause of low back pain can be different; there is no one-size-fits-all solution or cure that works for everyone. This is why we highly encourage a consultation with Dr. O’Keefe so he can better understand your situation and provide the best recommendations on next steps to help alleviate the low back pain.
How should I sleep with low back pain?
Often, stomach sleeping can help relieve low back pain and promote the body’s rest. However, this is not always the case, as it again stems from the underlying cause of the low back pain, which should be evaluated.
Why won’t my low back pain go away?
Low back pain is more than just a strain/sprain or a tight muscle that needs to relax. Oftentimes, if the pain continues to linger, it needs to be assessed by a trained chiropractor.
What is better for low back pain: a chiropractor or a massage?
Massage is excellent; we often recommend people seek out a great massage therapist because it has its time and place. However, a chiropractor has completed four years of undergraduate studies and four years of doctorate-level studies, and they can help pinpoint the cause of the pain to create a more effective treatment plan.
How can you tell if your spine is out of alignment?
Oftentimes, it is difficult for someone to know if their spine is not functioning optimally. Similar to a cavity, if it hasn’t progressed to a severe stage, you won’t notice it or feel it yet. A trained professional, also known as a dentist, can assess and evaluate whether a cavity is present. Similarly, a chiropractor has undergone years of training to assess and evaluate the function of the spinal system.
$49 New Patient Special
Includes Consultation With Your Doctor, Thorough Chiropractic Examination, Doctors Report of Findings, X-Rays If Necessary, First Treatment & MRI Review.