Chronic back pain is pain that has been present for a longer period of time, possibly even years. Lower back pain is especially common, but sometimes leg, hip or buttock pain are involved.
Causes
- Degenerative disc disease – changes in biomechanics in the spine cause disc pain, disc bulges/herniations, facet joint loading and stenosis.
- Stabilization muscle deconditioning – weakness in the stabilizer muscles such as the abdomen, gluteus medius, and trapezius can cause stress and pain in the back, hip, and shoulder.
- Changes in gait pattern can cause increased stress through the feet, knees, hips and lower back.
Treatment
- Spinal decompression – unloads facet joints, decompresses discs, reduces disc bulges and herniations, stretches tight muscles and ligaments.
- Stabilization exercise with directional bias – exercises specifically for chronic lower back pain, which can halt the degenerative process, alleviate pain and increase function.
- Inflammation control – with heat, ice, and other passive treatments.
- Mobilization – exercises to improve segmental ROM and facet joint mobility.
Be wary...
Medication can cover up the existing mechanical cause of your condition, and rehabilitation that doesn’t include specific and extensive exercising, plus instruction on how to manage pain when not in the clinic won’t solve problems of pain.