Back pain is a funny thing.  It can come quite suddenly, out of nowhere and completely incapacitate you for several days or weeks or it can come on gradually and intermittently, slowly taking its toll.  Pain ranges from sharp and stabbing to a constant, dull ache.  You can get back pain from lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, even sneezing and coughing.  The options are endless.  Here are some quick facts:

• While anyone can get it, it is definitely more prevalent as you get older
• The more out of shape you are, the more likely you are to have it
• If you are overweight, not only are you probably out of shape, but carrying around all that excess weight puts pressure on your back, hips and knees and contributing factor
• While most back pain is caused by mechanical issues, some are hereditary or congenital conditions
• Musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis can cause back pain
• If your job involves pushing, pulling, twisting, bending, standing or sitting for extensive segments of the day
• Prolonged effects of smoking can negatively impact and diminish the nutrients that reach the  vertebral discs and contribute to spinal weakness
• Back pain is one of the most common reasons for lost work days and decreased productivity
• Studies suggest that as many as 80% of the population will experience back pain at some point in life

What Can Chiropractic Offer Someone?

Chiropractic doctors treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders, however most patients will initially seek treatment from a Chiropractor in search of relief.  While Chiropractic offers many varied therapeutic options for the treatment, spinal manipulation is the treatment that receives the most attention.   Multiple peer reviewed studies have found spinal manipulation to be a safe, comfortable, cost-effective, and proven therapy.  The findings also concur that spinal manipulation reduces pain and allows the patient to participate in physical therapy and exercise, which will help strengthen the back.  This type of ACTIVE rehabilitation is much more effective than PASSIVE rehabilitation therapies like bed rest and anti-inflammatory or pain medication.

What is the Difference between Back Pain and Sciatica? 

The Sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body.  It originates in the lower spine and extends down the back of each leg.  Irritation of this nerve gives rise to a condition known as Sciatica.

Sciatica Facts:

• Sciatica pain usually affects one side of the body but it can also manifest on both sides
• Typically the pain will  begin in the buttocks and extend down the leg(s)
• Sciatica pain worsens when sitting
• Pregnant women often experience painful bouts of sciatica due to shifting pressures on spinal nerves
• Herniated discs can cause Sciatic pain
• Sciatic pain can appear in many forms.  Symptoms can vary from mild to moderate sensations of “pins and needles” and numbness  as well as very sharp acute and debilitating pain
• True Sciatic pain is always a symptom of a greater problem at the vertebral level
• Like back pain, Sciatic Pain is very common and many people will experience this type of pain in their lifetime

Is Spinal Decompression a Treatment Option For Back Pain or Sciatica?

Most people who experience Back Pain or Sciatica will usually try any one or many approaches to treatment ranging from complete bed rest, medication, exercise, physical therapy, Chiropractic and Massage Therapy.  The common approach to treatment is to try conservative and low cost treatment first.  This is not an unwise decision.  Many cases will respond well to these treatments.  Studies have shown that Active Rehab like Chiropractic and Physical Therapy are more effective than Passive therapies like bed rest.  However, many cases of back pain and sciatica are recalcitrant to treatment or recurrent in nature.  For many years, Spinal Decompression therapy was considered to be the last alternative prior to surgical intervention.  Today, we increasingly find that Spinal Decompression Therapy is a first resort instead of the next-to-last resort!   The reasons that have brought this dynamic therapy to the forefront include:

• Impressive treatment outcomes even with long standing cases that have undergone multiple courses of various traditional treatments
• Increased availability of equipment and practitioners trained in providing this type of treatment have driven down the cost of this effective treatment, making it much more affordable than when it was first introduced
• The science behind decompression makes sense and it really works
• People have realized that conservative low cost therapy is a false economy.  When you add up the expenses, including time lost at work, decreased quality of life, as well as add up the expenses related to medication and ongoing and prolonged treatment; Spinal Decompression turns out to be a very reasonably priced and effective treatment.

Just ask the many, many satisfied CanadaPhysio patients who came to us after having experienced years of pain and limited ability to function and were able to finally obtain effective and lasting relief with Spinal Decompression.  Almost unanimously, our patients say that they wish they had tried this form of therapy sooner!  Not all patients and conditions are suitable candidates for this type of treatment.  At CanadaPhysio, we offer all patients a free no-obligation evaluation to see if Spinal Decompression is a treatment option.  What do you have to lose aside from the constant pain?  See if Spinal Decompression is right for you. Our dedicated professionals are willing to help with many locations to serve your needs across Ontario, in Toronto, Scarborough, Whitby, Mississauga and London.