Low Back Pain Relief in Edwardsville, IL
It is estimated that up to 80 percent of the population will experience lower back pain at some time, and it is in fact one of the leading causes for missed work in the United States—costing an estimated $25 billion annually. Consisting of many bones, discs, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves, the spine is a complex arrangement that plays a major role in the human body. It is designed to be flexible, yet strong and protective as it houses the spinal cord.
Pain medications and manual manipulations by general chiropractors often are used to treat pain in the lower back, but the source of the problem actually may stem from a misalignment in the two volatile bones of the upper cervical spine. The top two vertebrae (the atlas and axis bones) are the most mobile segments in the spine. These two bones can move in six different directions, which allows the head to swivel and have a wide range of motion.
The spine operates as one, continuous unit. With the upper cervical spine (neck) being responsible for maintaining both the proper posture and alignment of the entire spine. Sensors located in the upper cervical area constantly are monitoring head position and sending nerve responses to make necessary changes throughout the lower spine to assure that the head remains upright.
When the upper cervical spine is properly aligned, the rest of the spine is extremely strong and stable. However, if either of the top two vertebrae are out of position, even slightly, the lower parts of the spine must compensate or adapt. This can trigger a chain reaction from the top to the bottom of the spine, resulting in lower back pain. A misalignment also puts stress on the delicate spinal cord and central nervous system, which can create a wide array of health problems.
If left untreated, an upper cervical misalignment not only affects pain in the lower back, but also has the potential to increase chances for premature arthritis and irreversible spinal degeneration. Upper cervical chiropractors have long been helping patients with low back pain and most sufferers who receive upper cervical corrections experience a substantial improvement in both the severity and frequency of their low back pain over time.