Littleton CO Low Back Pain Relief
Are you struggling with lower back pain? Our holistic medical team is dedicated to helping patients manage and overcome their lower back pain or sciatica, without drugs or surgery.
Back pain is something that almost everyone will go through at some point in their lives. It can range from being just a little annoying or stiff, to very painful, making it extremely hard to do the things that you love to do in life (or the things you have to do, like work!).
Have Low Back Pain or Sciatica?
Back pain is a leading cause of missed work and doctor visits. Among the different areas of back pain, lower back pain is particularly troublesome. It can make simple activities, like sleeping, sitting, and walking, very difficult.
Unfortunately, lower back pain is extremely common, affecting people all around the world. In the United States alone, it’s estimated that about 80% of adults will experience some form of lower back pain during their lifetime.
Shockingly, lower back pain is also the leading cause of disability globally. If you’re experiencing severe back pain, know that you’re not alone, and there are options available to help you manage your pain and get back to your daily routine. Ultimate Health is the place to go to.
Common Causes of Back Pain
Low back pain can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes include:
Poor posture
Standing or sitting incorrectly can lead to back pain.
Lifting heavy objects or lifting improperly
This can strain your back muscles.
Overexertion
Doing more than you’re physically able to can cause injury.
Repetitive movements
Repeating certain actions can lead to strain and discomfort.
Sudden, awkward movements
These can result in muscle strains or sprains.
Falls or trips
Injuries from falling or tripping can lead to back pain.
Auto accidents
Collisions can cause injuries that result in back pain.
Osteoarthritis
This is a type of joint inflammation that can cause pain and stiffness.
Ruptured or bulging disks
These are injuries to the cushioning between your spine’s bones.
Scoliosis
This is an abnormal curve in the spine that can lead to discomfort.
Nerve damage or neuropathy
Damage to nerves in the back can cause pain, burning and/or tingling.
Osteoporosis
This condition causes bones to become weak and brittle.
Muscle or ligament strains
Overstretching or tearing these tissues can result in pain.
Disc injury
Damage to the discs in your back can cause discomfort.
Facet Syndrome
This is an injury to the small stabilizing joints in the spine.
Sciatica
Pain from this large nerve can be caused by various back and pelvic conditions.
Disc Degeneration
Old injuries can lead to degenerative disc disease.
Spinal stenosis
This is a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on nerves.
Facet Arthrosis
The degeneration of spinal facet joints can cause pain and limitations.
Arthritis
Inflammation of the joints can lead to pain and stiffness.
Fibromyalgia
This is a long–term condition causing pain in the joints, muscles, and tendons.
Spondylitis
Inflammation of the spinal bone joints can cause discomfort.
Spondylosis
A degenerative disorder affecting the spine’s structure and function.
Pinched nerve
Pressure on a nerve can cause pain and discomfort.
Remember, maintaining good posture, practicing safe lifting techniques, and exercising regularly can help prevent low back pain. If you are experiencing pain our Littleton CO chiropractors and holistic medical team can offer you some of the latest treatments available to help you overcome this painful condition.
Common Symptoms
of Back Pain
Low back pain can manifest in various ways, with different symptoms and triggers. It’s important to recognize the signs to seek appropriate treatment. Here are some common symptoms of low back pain and the motions that may trigger them:
Dull, aching pain
This type of pain is usually felt deep in the lower back and can be triggered by prolonged standing or sitting.
Sharp, shooting pain
This sudden and intense pain can be triggered by sudden movements, such as bending, twisting, or lifting heavy objects.
Stiffness and reduced range of motion
Difficulty moving your back or feeling stiff after sitting or lying down for an extended period can indicate low back pain.
Muscle spasms
Sudden, involuntary contractions of muscles in the back can be triggered by overexertion, poor posture, or muscle strain.
Pain that radiates down the leg
This is often a sign of sciatica, caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. It can be triggered by sitting for long periods or lifting heavy objects.
Numbness or tingling
Sensations of numbness or tingling in the lower back, buttocks, or legs can be triggered by nerve compression or irritation.
Weakness in the legs or feet
This can be a sign of nerve damage or compression, often triggered by prolonged standing, walking, or sitting in one position.
Difficulty standing up straight
Struggling to maintain an upright posture due to pain or discomfort in the lower back can indicate a back problem.
Pain that worsens with specific movements
Certain actions, like bending forward, backward, or to the side, can aggravate low back pain.
What are Back Pain Treatment Options?
Treatment options for back pain vary depending on the cause and severity of the pain. Here are some suggestions to manage mild or acute back pain at home:
- Rest your back, but avoid prolonged bed rest
- Steer clear of activities that caused the problem
- Engage in gentle exercises
- Apply heat packs to the painful area
- Maintain gentle movement without overdoing it
If your pain doesn’t improve after a few days, consider seeking professional help.
At Ultimate Health, our treatment programs apply a combination of non–drug and non–surgical treatments, each providing specific benefits to our patients:Back pain is something that almost everyone will go through at some point in their lives. It can range from being just a little annoying or stiff, to very painful, making it extremely hard to do the things that you love to do in life (or the things you have to do, like work!).
Physical Medicine
Addresses the root cause of pain through hands–on techniques and therapeutic exercises.
Heat and Ice Therapy
Provides pain relief and reduces inflammation.
Massage & Manual Therapy
Relieves muscle tension, improves circulation, and promotes relaxation.
Rehabilitation Exercises
Restores strength, flexibility, and function to the affected area.
Ultrasound
Enhances the healing process and reduces inflammation.
Laser and Red Light Therapy
Stimulates cell regeneration and reduces pain.
Trigger Point Injections
Relieves pain by targeting specific muscle knots.
Lumbar Spinal Decompression & Traction
Relieves pressure on spinal discs and reduces pain, while promoting healing.
Targeted Stretching
Improves flexibility and reduces muscle tightness.
Chiropractic Treatment
Corrects spinal alignment and promotes overall spinal health.
Strengthening Exercises
Stabilizes the back and prevents future injuries.
Shockwave Vibration Therapies
Accelerates the healing process and reduces pain.
Enriched Plasma Injections
Promotes healing and reduces pain in affected areas.
Regen Therapies
Stimulate joint health, strength, healing, and reduces pain/inflammation.
Prescription Lumbar Support Bracing
Provides spinal stability and support during the healing process.
Extremity Adjustments and Functional Supports
Restores joint function and reduces pain.
At Ultimate Health Medical, our team tailors treatment methods based on your individual history and symptoms, focusing on your body’s healing potential rather than pharmaceutical solutions.
Our providers are experienced in evaluating, treating, and managing various lower back pain conditions. They diagnose the root cause of your discomfort and create a personalized plan that includes a variety of these manual treatments, medical intervention, exercises, and education to prevent recurrence so you can stay active!
Back Pain Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between back pain and sciatica?
“Back pain” is a general term for many conditions that cause pain in the upper or lower back. It can happen due to poor posture, car accidents, arthritis, or sports injuries. Our Physical Therapists can create a treatment plan based on your specific back pain, where it’s located, and your medical history.
Back pain can be acute or chronic. Acute pain lasts for one month or less. It’s important to avoid staying in bed and start therapy to reduce the time you have symptoms. Chronic pain lasts for three months or more. It can be constant dull pain, severe pain, or something in between. Physical therapy can help, no matter how long the pain lasts!
Sciatica, or lumbar radiculopathy, is connected to the nerves in your lower back. People with sciatica have pain along their sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body. This nerve starts in the lower back and splits at the base of the spine, going down the buttocks, both legs, and the bottom of each foot. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve gets “pinched,” causing sharp, stinging, or burning pain in the lower back, buttocks, legs, or feet. Numbness and tingling can also occur with sciatica.
How do I know if my back pain is serious?
The pain you experience in your back may either be acute or chronic, depending on how it was sustained.
Acute pain means that it lasts for a short time and is usually severe.
Chronic pain means that it lasts generally three months or longer and it can either cause dull or severe persistent pain.
The pain you experience is typically either rooted in your back muscles or the bones in your spine. If your pain is severe enough to hinder you from doing daily tasks, if it suddenly worsens, or if it has lasted longer than three months, then it is time to seek the help of a physical medicine specialist.
Why do people develop back pain and sciatica?
Back pain typically develops from an injury, though this is not always the case. Repetitive straining motions, such as bending down multiple times to pick up heavy boxes, or from a sudden trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident are examples of ways we injure our back.
Sedentary lifestyles and obesity can also contribute to low back symptoms. Other underlying conditions may be present including stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and herniated discs. Those who suffer from degenerative disc disease usually report feeling dull, aching, and chronic pain in their lower back. While these conditions may contribute to low back pain, studies have also shown that people with these conditions do not always have pain.
People who develop sciatica are typically between the ages of 30-50, and there are several different conditions that can lead to it. Among the most common include arthritis, bone spurs, or any injury that affects the sciatic nerve. Common injuries that cause sciatica development include sports-related collisions, harsh falls, herniated discs, or anything that occurs gradually over time through overuse, repetition, or general “wear and tear.”
It is important to note that cancers, infections, fractures, and other serious diseases can present themselves as back pain. Our providers are trained in recognizing these red flags and referring you to the appropriate healthcare specialists.
What is the accelerated joint rejuvenation protocol?
Because every individual who comes to Ultimate Health is different, our Accelerated Joint Rejuvenation Protocol is personalized for each patient.
Our team of healthcare providers has decades of experience and deploys a protocol pulling from nearly a dozen proven treatment modalities.
The aim of the Accelerated Joint Rejuvenation Protocol is to restore function, increase the health of the tissues and joints, decreasing pain, while being back functionality.
We want to see you living an active life!
