Chronic Back Pain
Treatment Castle Hill
Chiropractic care focused on putting your needs first.
Back pain is the leading chronic musculoskeletal condition, impacting 4 million Australians (16% of the population), as reported by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Living with back problems can be challenging. Chronic back pain can impact your quality of life, strain relationships, and force you to limit work or recreational activities. At Aurum Health Care, our experienced chiropractors focus on addressing the root cause of your pain to provide effective relief and help you return to a pain-free life.
If you’re seeking a chiropractor near Castle Hill for back pain treatment, contact us today at (02) 9899 1416, to schedule your appointment.
Seek immediate medical attention at the Emergency Department if you experience changes in bowel or bladder function, numbness, altered sensations around the saddle area, or are unable to move.
Understanding Your Back and How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Your back consists of several key structures that must work together to provide the strength and flexibility required to support your head and body, allowing you to bend, twist, and turn your torso or neck.
Vertebrae
Vertebrae are the bones that form the spine, creating a strong yet flexible column that supports your body and protects the spinal cord. These bones extend from your lower back to your neck. Some individuals may have an extra vertebra or be missing one due to genetics or surgery, and this is considered when developing your treatment plan.
Spinal Joints
The spinal joints, including the intervertebral and facet joints (also known as Z-joints), connect the vertebrae in your spine. These joints act like hinges, enabling controlled movement of the spine. They provide stability, guide spinal motion, and ensure even distribution of weight across the spinal column.
Discs
Between each vertebra in your spine are cushion-like structures called discs. These discs absorb shock, enable movement, support spinal flexibility, and prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against one another.
Spinal Cord
The spinal cord is a long, thin bundle of nerves that extends from the brain down the back through the spine. It plays a crucial role in the central nervous system by transmitting messages between the brain and the body, enabling movement and sensation.
Other Nerves
Many nerves branch off from the spinal cord and pass through spaces between the bones in your spine. These nerves transmit messages to different parts of your body, allowing for communication and coordination.
Muscles and Ligaments
Your back is supported by a network of muscles and ligaments that provide stability, enable movement, and help bear the weight of your upper body.
Chiropractors are skilled in diagnosing and treating spine and musculoskeletal issues, offering care to address any back problems or related concerns you may face.
We number the vertebrae according to their position in the spine:
- C1-7: These are the cervical vertebrae in your neck
- T1-12: These are the 12 thoracic vertebrae from your neck to the middle of your back
- L1-5: These are the 5 vertebrae in your lower back.
- S1-S5: These are 5 fused vertebrae which are known as the sacrum.
Who Gets Back Pain?
Back pain is a common condition, and most people will experience it at some point. You’re at a higher risk if you:
- Are inactive – weak core muscles can contribute to back pain
- Are overweight – carrying extra weight puts additional stress on your back
- Are middle-aged or older
- Smoke – smoking reduces blood flow to the spine and increases coughing, which can strain the back
- Spend long hours at your desk, especially with poor posture
- Are required to do heavy lifting, pulling, pushing, or twisting at work
Symptoms Include:
Symptoms can vary depending on the cause of the pain. You may experience:
- Pain that comes and goes or remains constant
- Pain in a specific area or spread across your entire back
- Pain that radiates to your legs or buttocks
- Numbness and tingling sensations
- Pain that varies in intensity or sharp shooting pains
- Pain that worsens when bending, sitting, standing, lifting, or twisting
- Reduced range of motion
- Pain that is worse in the morning and improves throughout the day
- A feeling of being off-centre or unbalanced
Some symptoms may indicate a more serious issue. We strongly recommend seeing a doctor if you experience pain along with any of the following: difficulty urinating, weakness, pain or numbness in the legs, fever, or unexplained weight loss.
Types of Back Pain
Lumbar Disc Herniation
This condition occurs when a disc in your lower spine tears or herniates, pressing on the nerves and causing swelling and radiating pain from the affected area.
Lumbar disc herniation most commonly affects males aged 25-45, with the highest incidence observed in those between 35-45 years old, as the inner portion of the disc (nucleus pulposus) is most hydrated in this age group.
Lumbar Sprain
A lumbar sprain occurs when the muscles or ligaments around your lower back (lumbar spine), sacrum, or pelvis are injured.
This can be caused by direct trauma, overuse, poor posture, sudden movements, muscle imbalances, a sudden increase in training intensity, or uneven leg lengths.
Lumbar Facet Syndrome
Lumbar Facet Syndrome occurs when the facet joints, which connect your vertebrae, become irritated or damaged, leading to pain or discomfort.
This condition can be caused by direct trauma, poor posture, or sudden movements.
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Sprain
An SI joint sprain happens when the connection between your hip and sacrum is damaged, leading to pain and discomfort.
This can result from excessive movement or lack of movement, both straining the area. Pregnant women are especially at risk of this type of strain.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis occurs when the small joints that connect the bones in your spine become misaligned, affecting the nerves and causing pain.
This can be caused by injury, direct trauma, overuse, age-related degeneration, surgery, tumours, or genetics.
The condition often develops in childhood or adolescence. While it is most common in the lower back, it can also occur in the neck.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of treatments do you offer?
We offer personalized treatments tailored to your specific needs. Our range of treatment options is designed to relieve pain and may include spinal adjustments, joint mobilizations, postural alignment, electrotherapy, gentle stretches, and soft or deep tissue therapy. Additionally, we provide temperature therapy, customized exercise plans, strategies to prevent muscle aggravation, spinal alignments, and more.
What outcomes can I expect from Aurum Health Care?
At Aurum Health Care, we understand your pain and take the time to fully comprehend its underlying causes. With our extensive knowledge and experience, we conduct thorough assessments to diagnose and treat your concerns.
You can expect streamlined care from a highly skilled consultant who will provide personalised treatments to alleviate your symptoms. We also focus on helping you understand your condition, empowering you to confidently manage it at home.
What causes it?
Back pain can occur when any part of your spine isn’t functioning properly, leading to discomfort or difficulty moving. It may be caused by injury or underlying medical conditions affecting your bones, discs, or nerves.
Aurum Health Care’s Approach to Treatment
Assessments
We carefully review your medical history and assess your current condition to identify the root cause of your concerns and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Personalised Care
Our care plans are tailored to meet your individual needs, preferences, and capabilities, considering your health history for the most effective treatment.
Continuous Support
We offer ongoing guidance and strategies, such as gentle exercises or postural alignment techniques, to help you manage pain and aid your recovery at home.
Back Care for Castle Hill residents
Our skilled and caring chiropractors are here to help with a variety of pain-related issues. We take the time to understand your unique needs before offering tailored, evidence-based treatments. If you’re looking for chiropractic care in the Hills District, reach out to Aurum Health Care today and learn how we can support you in managing your pain.