Back Pain
Lower back pain is the most common complaint we treat. More than 80 percent of Americans experience lower back pain at some point in their lifetime. For many, the effect of low back pain is an everyday battle that immensely impacts the quality of life.
The pain we feel — whether in the back, the hips, or down the legs — is the body’s request for change. Back pain is not an indication something is broken or that it needs to be “fixed”.
We must take the time to understand the issue and how it behaves, that way we can apply the right tool for the job from our unique toolkit – only then can we achieve a solution.
What Causes Lower Back Pain and How is it Treated?
Back pain is most commonly mechanical in nature, meaning the issue is based on movement, and how we’re using our body. If your lower back pain changes — becoming better or worse — with different positions and movements, you likely suffer from mechanical back pain.
“The number one indication of mechanical low back pain is a big obstruction in range of motion, whether that’s bending forward, backward, or to the sides”
Dr. David Jolson, Chiropractor in Greenville SC
Since the nerve supply to your legs stems from the spinal cord within the spine, poor spinal mechanics can alter the signals from your brain to the muscles. It is common to experience symptoms such as pain, muscle weakness, or numbness and tingling into the hip or groin, down your legs, with or without local back symptoms!
In quality non-surgical care, it’s important to minimize variables and rule out the spine as the pain generator. Many medical diagnoses need to be thoroughly examined so that we don’t “chase pain” and can understand WHY you’re dealing with discomfort:
Sacroiliitis
The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is the load-bearing, shock-absorbing union between the spine and pelvis. It is a mechanical link that connects the chain of locomotion to the rest of the body. This irregular, synovial and fibrocartilaginous joint is surrounded by a strong ligamentous-reinforced capsule and is minimally mobile (1,2).
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Approximately 13% of low back pain is attributable to the SIJ (3). Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SIJD) can be divided into two general categories: mechanical and arthritic. “Mechanical” SIJD results from any process that alters normal joint mechanics. Common culprits include: leg length inequalities, gait abnormalities, lower extremity joint pain, pes planus, improper shoes, scoliosis, prior lumbar fusion, lumbopelvic myofascial dysfunction, repetitive strenuous activity and trauma- especially a fall onto the buttocks. Studies show that over half of mechanical SIJD results from an inciting injury (4). Pregnancy creates an array of sacroiliac joint issues with weight gain, gait changes and postural stressors occurring contemporaneously with hormone-induced ligamentous laxity. “Arthritic” SIJD results from either osteoarthritis or from an inflammatory arthropathy including; ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, enteropathic arthritis, and Reiter’s/reactive arthritis which produce sacroiliitis and resulting pain. Morning pain that resolves with exercise is characteristic of arthritic SIJD.
The clinical presentation of SIJD is quite variable and shares several common characteristics with other lumbar and hip problems.The patients lumbar spine must first be ruled out since it’s a common referral for low back discomfort. When asked to point specifically to the site of pain, the SIJD patient will often place their index finger over the PSIS. Pain may or may not refer to the lower back, buttock, thigh or rarely into the lower leg via chemical radiculopathy of the neighboring L5 or S1 nerve roots (5). Symptoms may be exacerbated by bearing weight on the affected side and relieved by shifting weight to the unaffected leg. Pain may be provoked by arising from a seated position, long car rides, transferring in and out of a vehicle, rolling from side to side in bed or by flexing forward while standing. Pain is often worse while standing or walking and relieved by lying down.
References
1. Sturesson B, Selvik G, Uden A. Movements of the sacroiliac joints: A roentgnen stereophotogrammetric analysis. Spine. 1989;14:162–165.
2. Sturesson B, Uden A, Vleeming A. A radiostereometric analysis of the movements of the sacroiliac joints in the reciprocal straddle position. Spine. 2000;25:214–217.
3. Maigne JY, Aivaliklis A, Pfefer F. Results of sacroiliac joint double block and value of sacroiliac pain provocation tests in 54 patients with low back pain. Spine 1996;21: 1889–1892.
4. Bernard TN Jr, Kirkaldy-Willis WH. Recognizing specific characteristics of nonspecific low back pain. Clin Orthop Relat Res. Apr 1987;217:266-80.
5. Fortin JD, Washington WJ, Falco FJE. Three pathways between the sacro-iliac joint and neural structures. AJNR. 1999;20:1429–1434.
Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome arises when a irritated piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve (1). This pressure causes ischemia, congestion, local inflammation and radicular complaints (2). Researchers estimate that piriformis syndrome contributes to up to one third of all back pain (3,4).
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The piriformis muscle originates on the anterolateral surface of the mid-portion of the sacrum and inserts on the superior medial aspect of the greater trochanter. When the hip is extended, the piriformis functions primarily as an external rotator of the thigh, with secondary contributions toward flexion. The muscle assists in abduction when the hip is flexed to 90 degrees. (3) The sciatic nerve has a variable relationship to the piriformis muscle. In the majority of the population, the sciatic nerve travels deep to the muscle. Approximately one fourth of the population is anatomically predisposed to piriformis syndrome because their sciatic nerve passes through the muscle, splits the muscle or both. (5,6)
Symptoms of piriformis syndrome may begin abruptly as the result of a traumatic event, or may develop slowly in response to repeated irritation. Piriformis muscle irritation and hypertonicity can result from a strain, a fall onto the buttocks or catching oneself from a “near fall”. In other instances, the process may begin following repetitive microtrauma, like long distance walking, stair climbing or from chronic compression- i.e.sitting on the edge of a hard surface or a wallet. (8,9)
Presenting complaints for piriformis syndrome include pain, paresthesia or numbness beginning in the gluteal region and radiating along the course of the sciatic nerve. Additional symptoms may develop from local trigger point referral into the proximal thigh, sacroiliac and hip regions. (9) Symptoms are often provoked by holding any one position for longer than 15-20 minutes- particularly prolonged sitting or standing. Positional changes may provide transient relief. Patients may report increasing discomfort when walking, running, stair climbing, riding in a car or arising from a seated position. Activities that involve hip internal rotation, like sitting cross-legged, may exacerbate symptoms (10).
Piriformis syndrome shares several common characteristics and may even co-exist with other lumbopelvic problems. The differential diagnosis for piriformis syndrome includes; hip pathology, fracture, lumbar compression fracture, discitis, trochanteric bursitis, sacroiliitis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, lumbar radiculopathy, spinal stenosis and viscerosomatic referred pain.
References
1. Yeoman W. The relation of arthritis of the sacroiliac joint to sciatica. Lancet. 1928;ii:1119-22.
2. Williams PL, Warwick R. Gray’s Anatomy. 36th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1980.
3. Papadopoulos EC, Khan SN. Piriformis syndrome and low back pain: a new classification and review of the literature. Orthop Clin North Am. 2004;35:65-71.
4. Pace JB, Nagle D. Piriformis syndrome. West J Med. 1976;124:435-439.
5. Beason LE, Anson B.J. The relation of the sciatic nerve and its subdivisions to the piriformis muscle. Anat Record. 1937;70:1-5.
6. Pecina M. Contribution to the etiological explanation of the piriformis syndrome. Acta Anat (Basel). 1979;105:181-187.
7. http://physioplus.blogspot.
8. Foster MR. Piriformis syndrome. Orthopedics. 2002;25:821-825
9. Travell J, Simons D. Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction, Vol 2. Williams and Wilkins 1992. pp 186-214
10. Magee DJ. Orthopedic Physical Assessment. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders Co; 1997.
IT Band Syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome (aka Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome) describes an irritation of the tissues near the distal attachment of the iliotibial band. This overuse syndrome is particularly common in runners and cyclists. (1-3) This is a common issue Dr. Jolson treats with the Hincapie Racing Team.
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Iliotibial band syndrome (aka Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome) describes an irritation of the tissues near the distal attachment of the iliotibial band. This overuse syndrome is particularly common in runners and cyclists. (1-3) This is a common issue Dr. Jolson treats with the Hincapie Racing Team.
The ITB is divided anatomically into two distinct portions- a proximal “tendinous” segment and a distal “ligamentous” component. (4) The proximal portion begins as a sheath encasing the tensor fascia lata muscle. This sheath anchors the tensor fascia lata to the iliac crest and also receives the majority of the gluteus maximus tendon. (5) The dense fibrous ITB then courses distally with a deep component that attaches to the femoral shaft via the strong lateral intermuscular septum and linea aspera. (4) Distally, the tendinous portion “fans” before terminating near the lateral epicondyle. (4) The ITB then transitions to its ligamentous component, spanning from the lateral epicondyle of the femur to Gerdy’s tubercle on the anterolateral aspect of the tibia. (5)
The iliotibial band is a conduit for forces generated by the TFL and gluteus maximus (i.e. thigh abduction, flexion, extension, and external rotation). The deep fascial component, which attaches to nearly the entire length of the femur, is most taut when the gluteus maximus and TFL contract. This “tensile” action significantly increases during single leg stance and serves to counteract medial bowing of the femur, while lateral bowing is minimized by “compression”. (4,6)
ITB syndrome is common in populations exposed to repetitive knee flexion and extension while in a single leg stance. (9) The problem is particularly prevalent in runners, where it comprises almost ¼ of all lower extremity injuries. (2,3,10-17) Ultimately, ITB syndrome affects up to 12% of all runners. (10) The condition is also frequently seen in cycling, weight lifting, skiing, soccer, basketball, field hockey, and competitive rowing.
The typical presentation for ITB syndrome is a runner or cyclist complaining of “sharp” or “burning” pain approximately 2 cm above on the outside of the knee – near the lateral femoral condyle. (9) Pain may radiate slightly above or below. (9) Symptoms are provoked by activities that require repetitive knee flexion and extension. Symptoms are more likely as activities proceed. (9) Less severe presentations may report pain only during activity, but as the condition progresses, symptoms become more persistent.
References
1. S. P. Messier, D. G. Edwards, D. F. Martin et al., “Etiology of iliotibial band friction syndrome in distance runners,” Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, vol. 27, no. 7, pp. 951–960, 1995.
2. Ellis R, Hing W, Reid D. Iliotibial band friction syndrome–a systematic review. Man Ther. Aug 2007;12(3):200-8.
3. Hamill J, Miller R, Noehren B, Davis I. A prospective study of iliotibial band strain in runners. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). Jun 24 2008
4. Fairclough J, Hayashi K, Toumi H, et al. The functional anatomy of the iliotibial band during flexion and extension of the knee: implications for understanding iliotibial band syndrome. J Anat, 2006;208:309-316.
5. Standring S. Gray’s Anatomy: the Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 39. Edinburgh: Elsevier/Churchill Livingstone; 2004.
6. Michaud T. The Real Cause of Iliotibial Band Syndrome Dynamic Chiropractic November 18, 2012, Vol. 30, Issue 24
Fetto J, Leali A, Moroz A Evolution of the Koch model of the biomechanics of the hip: clinical perspective. J Orthop Sci. 2002; 7(6):724-30.
7. Drogset JO, Rossvoll I, Grøntvedt T Surgical treatment of iliotibial band friction syndrome. A retrospective study of 45 patients. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 1999 Oct; 9(5):296-8.
8. Fetto J, Leali A, Moroz A Evolution of the Koch model of the biomechanics of the hip: clinical perspective. J Orthop Sci. 2002; 7(6):724-30.
9. M. Fredericson and A. Weir, “Practical management of iliotibial band friction syndrome in runners,” Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 261–268, 2006
10. Linenger JMCC. Is iliotibial band syndrome overlooked? Phys Sports Med. 1992;20:98–108.
Sciatica Treatment
Sciatica is not a true medical diagnosis but rather a symptom of an underlying medical condition. There are a few common lower back problems that can cause sciatica symptoms. These include a radiculopathy, bulging disc, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or spinal stenosis
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Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms: constant pain in one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs), pain that is worse when sitting, leg pain that is often described as burning or tingling, weakness or numbness, sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or walk, and pain that radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes.
Our chiropractor in Greenville typically finds that sciatica symptoms aren’t always as black and white as it’s drawn up in the books. The patient typically can’t draw a straight line with a pen from the back straight down the leg. Rather, the symptoms are variable and change based on positions and movements. The patient may sometimes have pain the glute, their hamstrings feel “different”, and they have an odd sensation in the calf. Sciatic pain can vary from intermittent and irritating to constant and debilitating.
Symptoms are usually based on the location of the pinched nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body and is made up of individual nerve roots that start by branching out from the spine in the lower back and then combine to form the “sciatic nerve.” Sciatica symptoms occur when the large sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed at or near its point of origin around the lower back. The sciatic nerve starts in the low back, typically at the third lumbar segment. At each level of the lower spine, a nerve root exits from the inside of the spinal canal, and each of these respective nerve roots then come together to form the large sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of each leg. Portions of the sciatic nerve then branch out in each leg to innervate certain parts of the leg—the thigh, calf, foot, and toes. The specific sciatica symptoms—the leg pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and possibly symptoms that radiate into the foot—largely depend on where the nerve is pinched.
Often, a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica— the most common cause of sciatica is “for no apparent reason” – it tends to develop over time. Our chiropractor in Greenville helps you understand your sciatica symptoms and will quickly find you a solution or get you to the provider who can help.
More info on: Sciatica Treatment
In rare cases, back pain can indicate a serious medical problem requiring immediate attention. Our thorough history and exam will help guide us if we need to send you out immediately. Please be cautious if you’re dealing with signs like bladder dysfunction, fever, direct trauma, or unexplained weight loss accompanied by back pain.
What it isn’t
Let’s talk about pain science! Pain is a signal from the brain of perceived threat. Pain is there to protect you! It’s a request from our brain telling us that it’s time to change something – whether that’s the way you move, the positions you live in, or what you’re eating. Mechanical back pain does not have to be debilitating and just because you have back pain does not mean you’re broken.
Just because you have pain doesn’t mean you need an MRI; just because your MRI shows “degeneration,” “disc bulges,” or “arthritis,” – that doesn’t mean it’s causing your pain. Back pain is often unassociated with aforementioned structural changes commonly found from imaging, e.g. X-ray, CT scan, MRI. There are countless studies that show arthritis, disc bulges, and hip pathology in individuals with no pain!
To learn more about the problems of MRI regarding muscle and joint pain, click here to watch a short video.
Common Causes for Back Pain
Mechanical back pain is most commonly caused by poor body mechanics and postural habits.
Humans are meant to move and move often — not sit in chairs and stare at electronic screens for hours on end. From infancy through the first year of life, we learn how to move, setting us up for the rest of our lives.
Think about the average desk worker’s day: sit for breakfast, sit in the car to work, sit at the desk, sit for lunch, back to sitting at the desk, sit in the car back home, sit in front of the T.V. — you get the point.
Mechanical back pain can occur suddenly from something as simple as bending over to put on your socks, but most commonly occurs for no apparent reason – likely from accumulated stress.
The accumulative postural stress of sitting as a daily habit is like bending your finger backward. It may not hurt at first, but the longer you hold it there, and the more pressure you apply over time, it will start to feel uncomfortable and aching. When you let go of the finger, you’ll have a residual ache, but you’ll notice the pain quickly subsides. This is a mechanical pain and is similar to what the typical American with back pain experiences.
So, what happens after you poorly lift something heavy after sitting all day? It’s like cranking that finger back as far as it can go…and it’s probably going to hurt long after you let go of it!
Common Treatments for Back Pain
The most common treatments are rest, medication, physical therapy, sports therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, and other various conservative therapies.
While most acute bouts of back pain will resolve on their own within a few weeks, the risk of recurrence is very high. This sounds silly, but the greatest risk of lower back pain is previous low back pain — if you’ve had it once, it’s likely going to happen again. The goal is to learn proactive strategies so that if you deal with the pain in the future not only can you manage it, but attack and relieve it on your own.
Few individuals need surgery for back pain. Have a disc bulge? Even if it’s relevant, lumbar disc herniations have been shown to resolve on their own without surgery.
If you have intense and unrelenting pain down the leg, progressive muscle weakness, bladder or bowel symptoms, or specific structural problems not responding to conservative therapy, surgery may be warranted.
What You Can Do About Back Pain
Lower back pain is a $600 Billion dollar industry in this country. That is outrageous! Musculoskeletal pain is unfortunately very mismanaged. Why make simple problems complex?
With all mechanical pain, there’s a ‘what’ and a ‘why’ — what the problem is and why it’s occurring in the first place. To achieve resolution it’s crucial to not only identify and correct the problem at hand but address the behaviors which lead to the issue!
Here are some self-help tips:
Keep moving!
Avoid sitting for longer than 30-minutes at a time.
Sit with upright posture with lumbar support.
Take micro-breaks: stretch, take a stroll, grab a snack, move around.
Take mental notes of what you are doing when your pain feels better or worse to identify any positional patterns.
Still Struggling With Back Pain? We Can Help!
Many traditional clinics focus on long-term treatments that require extensive in-office appointments costing patients both time and money. At Upstate Spine & Sport, our Greenville SC chiropractor provides a cost-effective alternative. We quickly identify what’s causing your discomfort, get you out of pain, then teach you how to minimize any recurrence through specific exercises and principles. If we can’t provide relief here in our clinic, we don’t waste your time – we get you to the Greenville SC area clinician who can find you the solution you deserve.
To achieve rapid results, Dr. David Jolson takes his time to talk to you and learn about your problem, analyze your movements and uncover the root cause of each individual complaint. Once the source of discomfort is detected, we will use the most appropriate treatments from our unique toolbox to quickly resolve symptoms. We understand what patients want. Fast pain relief, personal attention, and the ability to keep doing what you love.
Here is what a recent patient had to say, Matt Mayo, chef at The Common Cure:
“Dr. Jolson is by far the best specialist I have ever been to for my back. I hesitate to say chiropractor because he is different than everyone that I have been to before. Each appointment is a combination of physical therapy plus chiropractic care to where I have felt better and better each trip without feeling helpless in-between visits due to the exercises I am shown how to do on my own. I can feel myself getting stronger and know that personally, he has given me the tools to keep my problems in check on my own. I enjoy the personal accountability that he gives his patients because it puts you on a path to healing and not just a series of band-aid fixes where you become dependent on constant adjustments.”
We are proud to be part of the official healthcare team helping solve lower back pain and musculoskeletal issues for the Hincapie Racing Team and PGA Tour pros. Although we enjoy treating athletes, we love working with all of our patients: whether active or inactive, conditioned or deconditioned, old or young, you will be given the best possible care at Upstate Spine & Sport. If you have any questions please contact us at 864.400.8005 or schedule online.
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