Even if you don’t have lower back pain, chances are you know someone who suffers acute or chronic back pain: It’s the leading cause of disability worldwide. Whether you experienced sudden acute back pain or you’ve lived with chronic pain for years, Dr. Joe Colopy at Colopy Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Arlington, Texas has extensive experience using chiropractic treatment to relieve lower back pain. Contact Colopy Chiropractic to schedule an assessment and to relieve your pain today.

Why is lower back pain a common problem?

Your lower back is vulnerable to injury and degeneration for two main reasons:

Designed to be flexible
The lower part of your spine — the lumbar spine — enables movement that lets you twist and bend. However, to gain flexibility, you lose the type of solid structural support that would stabilize the lower spine. This means the lower back is susceptible to injuries and vertebrae displacement.

Supports body weight
The lower spine bears the full weight of your upper body, creating constant pressure. Over time, the pressure can cause misalignment, damage the discs between vertebrae, and cause degenerative problems like osteoarthritis. The two lowest discs take the most strain and are most likely to herniate.

What are the main causes of lower back pain?

In the majority of cases, the reason for acute lower back pain is rarely ever identified by traditional medicine whose typical recommendation is prescription pain medication and muscle relaxer or steroids to treat the symptom and not the cause. Dr Colopy is an expert at determining the cause and putting together an exact plan to address the problem for full recovery. Whether acute or chronic, lower back pain commonly arises from:

• Torn or pulled muscle or ligament
• Herniated disc
• Vertebral compression fracture
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Spinal osteoarthritis
• Spondylolisthesis (misaligned vertebra)
• Spinal joint dysfunction

What chiropractic techniques relieve lower back pain?

Dr. Colopy has extensive experience using several different chiropractic techniques to relieve lower back pain. After a thorough examination, he works with you to develop a treatment plan that may include various adjustments, decompression, and physical therapy modalities such as home exercise programs and personal EMS unit to be used at home.

Some of the therapies often used to treat lower back pain include:

• Spinal manipulation
• Spinal mobilization
• Spinal decompression and traction
• Trigger point therapy
• Myofascial release
• Graston technique

If poor ergonomics or posture contribute to your back pain, Dr. Colopy will recommend modifications you can make to improve posture and make your work environment less stressful on your back, such as adjusting the level of your chair, keyboard or computer screen.

What is the Thompson Technique for spinal adjustment?

The Thompson technique is one of the key treatments for adjusting the spinal cord. It uses a segmental drop table, which enhances motions used during spinal adjustment. The table has individual pieces — drop pieces — that support each area of the spine. When chiropractic thrust is exerted, the drop piece gently gives way, reducing the amount of pressure needed to adjust that part of the spine.