Back Pain Treatment In Portland, OR

Dr. Phil McCary DC and Dr. Danielle McCary DC Doctor of Chiropractic in Portland OR

Back Pain Chiropractor

Technology advances have been a boon for us in many ways. But the transformation in our lifestyle habits has led to the development of many health issues. One such common problem faced by almost every person is back pain.

Low back pain is extremely common. Most people suffer from it at some point in their lives. Whether you have an acute episode or low back pain that’s chronic, seek therapy from Portland chiropractor Dr. Phil McCary and the staff of Laurelhurst Chiropractic in Portland, Oregon. Dr. McCary offers a variety of therapies to diagnose and resolve your discomfort. Call the office for an appointment or use the online booking agent so you can restore your back health and function.

Are you suffering from back pain in Portland? Fret not; you’re not alone. 

You must have experienced back pain at some point in your life. In most cases, it is not too severe and improves over time. Though there are simple back pain measures that can be taken at home, specialized treatments are available for low back pain in Portland to alleviate your pain and discomfort.

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What is back pain?

Our backbone or the spinal column (or spine) has 24 vertebral bones with discs, supporting ligaments, and muscles. Chronic back pain may result from poor posture, muscle sprain, lack of exercise, or stiffening of the spine with age. The lower back pain, also called lumbar spine pain/lumbago, may result from specific conditions apart from the above. These are:

  • Degenerated discs  
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Spinal stenosis 
  • Spongy discs

Lower back pain can be very uncomfortable and painful, making it difficult to maneuver throughout the day. Taking the time to get the pain checked out can provide insight and direction on the root of the problem, treatment suggestions, and a solution for getting things back to normal. A chiropractor is the best solution for handling all those tasks with ease.

Symptoms of back pain

Although considered a minor issue, back pain may be severe and unbearable for those suffering from it. Along with pain in your lower back, you may experience other symptoms like:

  • Numbness and tingling sensation in the back and arms.
  • Pain in the neck, low back, arms, and legs.
  • Muscle aches in the thoracic region of your back.

If your back pain persists for a long time and affects your everyday activities, you must seek professional help. It is likely to be associated with some complex spine disorders. The earlier you consult a specialist, the better are the chances of you getting back on your feet, literally!!

A chiropractor specializes in pain management of the back and other areas, implementing methods of non-surgical pain relief. They are also able to look at x-rays or receive the description of the symptoms and start to make assessments based on the information given.

common causes of back pain

Though back pain may occur without a specific cause apparent to you, the following are some activities and conditions that may cause back pain: 

  • Improper posture or lifting of heavy objects, may cause stress on your back muscles and spinal ligaments.
  • Poor posture may lead to constant strain on your back, causing painful muscle spasms, which manifest as back pains.
  • Lack of regular exercise weakens your unused core muscles, causing stiffening of your back.
  • Ruptured discs due to bulging or excessive strain on your discs. Discs are present between vertebrae acting as cushions, thus leading to chronic and persistent back pain.
  • Osteoporosis causes your bones to become porous and brittle and may lead to fractures.
  • Any back joint dysfunction or muscle spasms may also cause pain in your back.
  • Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition causing loss of disc height and bone spurs.

Long-term problems due to Untreated back pain

Back pain accounts for the most typical reason for absence at work worldwide. This is mainly due to our nature of work, a desk job in front of computers for most people. Back pain can heal with some rest and exercises, but ignoring persistent and chronic back pain may result in serious spine issues. Back pain may be a sign of underlying problems like Sciatica, a herniated disc, infection of the spine, cauda equina syndrome, etc. So you must pay heed to the red flags and seek medical care if you experience back pain that doesn’t improve despite self-care and home treatments.

When do you need back pain treatment?

These are some red flags to look out for which might indicate a severe issue and necessitate seeking professional help:

  • When the pain, tingling sensation, and numbness spread from your back to your legs, groin, or arms, seek immediate medical help as it may indicate spinal cord injury.
  • If the pain increases when you cough or bend forwards
  • When back pain accompanies fever, difficulty in urination, controlling your bladder, and difficulty standing.

The exact cause of your low back pain can be hard to pinpoint. But, in many cases, it’s a result of:

  • Overuse, strain, or an injury
  • Herniations in the discs
  • Illness
  • Genetic condition
  • Degeneration due to aging or osteoarthritis
  • Compression fractures

Acute low back pain, meaning back pain that comes on suddenly, is often the result of an event that involves lifting, reaching, and twisting.

Back Pain Treatment in Portland

Exercises

Your doctor may recommend some exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your posture. These exercises also help stretch your muscles and relieve spasms.

Manual therapy

Manual therapy is effective in relieving back pain. It involves manual mobilization or manipulation of the spine by chiropractors, who use careful low force on muscles, bone, and joints around the spine. A chiropractor will diagnose your problem using diagnostic imaging, palpation, and a physical examination. After making a diagnosis, your chiropractor will employ an individual approach to adjusting the spinal joints. When accompanied by exercises, this therapy spells relief for back pain. Your chiropractor will recommend lifestyle changes to reduce strain on your spine and joints while performing daily activities.

Drugs

Severe back pain treatment may require prescription NSAIDs. Muscle relaxants also help relieve muscle spasms. Sometimes, your chiropractor may prescribe some supplements which help build bone density due to osteoporosis.

Surgery

Surgery for back pain is rare but may be required when caused by sciatica,  spinal stenosis, disc rupture, or herniation.

Immediate pain relief for back pain at home

Too much rest can worsen the problem, so it is essential to stay active. You must continue with your day-to-day activities to help speed up your recovery. Usually, back pain resolves by itself within a few days or a month. In the meantime, you can try the following simple steps to relieve your symptoms:

  • Back exercises and stretches
  • Do swimming, walking, yoga, pilates
  • Taking over-the-counter painkillers to keep the pain at bay
  • Applying Hot and cold packs to the affected area can be helpful
  • Sometimes Epsom salt baths can help relax muscle spasms
  • Maintain good posture during your daily activities
  • Sometimes obesity can aggravate your back pain problems and delay recovery. So it is a good idea to have a healthy and well-balanced diet that is low in fats, salt, and refined sugars.

How Laurelhurst Chiropractic Can help in Back Pain treatment

Dr. McCary not only treats the pain and discomfort associated with low back pain, he finds the root cause of your symptoms to provide long-term relief. Research shows that the manual therapies used by chiropractors such as Dr. McCary are effective in reducing pain and resolving issues such as lumbar disc herniation.

Dr. McCary’s intention is to reduce your pain and improve your overall function, as well as to prevent low back pain from becoming chronic. He also seeks to educate you on how you can prevent future incidents of low back pain with exercise, ergonomics, and other lifestyle habits.

Laurelhurst Chiropractic is the top chiropractic clinic in Portland for back pain treatments. Dr. Phil McCary and Dr. Danielle McCary are highly rated chiropractors in Portland and specialize in treating back pain. They have been practicing for over 10 years in Portland. 

Call us today if you are experiencing back pain in Portland.

Awards & Recognitions | Laurelhurst Chiropractic

America's Best Chiropractor - Dr. Phil McCary DC
FindATopDoc.com awarded Dr. Phil as a Top Chiropractor in Portland, OR
Expertise top chiropractor Dr. Phil McCary DC
Senior Contributor Award Dr. Phil McCary by Findatopdoc.com

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Book an appointments

Request an appointment online by calling us on (503) 234-4288

You can also use the online booking tool below

How do we treat lower back pain?

Let Us Help to treat your Lower Back Pain

Do not ignore your Lower Back Pain, it can become worse overtime. It’s important to consult with the doctor and understand the root cause of Lower Back Pain.

frequently asked questions

How do I know if my back pain is serious?

Back pains generally improve in few weeks to a month. But if your back pain persists more extended, you may want to consult your healthcare provider. Additionally, you must be aware of red flags like numbness and tingling in your back spreading to legs, arms, or groin; pain increasing on bending or coughing, difficulty in urination and holding your bladder, fever, and other symptoms. These may indicate more serious underlying problems.

What is the best medicine for a backache?

The best medicine for back pain is remaining active. You may consult your chiropractor to learn simple exercises that can help you recover fast. These can relieve your pain unless your back pain is caused by any severe spine problem.

Should I see a doctor if my back hurts?

Professional help is recommended if you face back pain problems. However, till you get an appointment, you can always try the simple home remedies mentioned above.

What is the fastest way to relieve back pain?How do you relax your lower back muscles?

Some useful methods to relieve your back pain fast are practicing exercises to loosen your muscles, correcting your posture, using cold/hot packs, and reducing stress.

How many days rest for lower back pain?

If your back pain results from an injury or accident, you may be advised bed rest for two days up to 2 weeks. However, in case of back pain due to other causes, it is always advisable to remain active instead of lying for more than a day or two, as it helps loosen your muscles and any strains that you may have.

How can chiropractic care help low back pain?

At your initial consultation, Dr. McCary reviews your symptoms, areas of pain, and activities that intensify or improve your condition. He also looks at your family history, dietary habits, occupation, exercise patterns, and any incidents that may have prompted your pain.

He performs a thorough physical exam of your spine and may test the function of surrounding muscles.

How is the cause of my low back pain diagnosed?

At your initial consultation, Dr. McCary reviews your symptoms, areas of pain, and activities that intensify or improve your condition. He also looks at your family history, dietary habits, occupation, exercise patterns, and any incidents that may have prompted your pain.

He performs a thorough physical exam of your spine and may test the function of surrounding muscles.

What types of chiropractic therapy should I expect for low back pain?

Dr. McCary may use spinal manipulation and manual manipulation to address your low back pain. This type of therapy involves high-velocity arm thrusts applied to any vertebra that is out of alignment. It reduces compression and irritation of associated nerves and improves overall range of motion in your back.

He may also employ low-velocity manipulation of your spine as well as stretching of the associated muscles and joints.

At Laurelhurst Chiropractic, you also have access to a number of supplemental therapies to treat your low back pain. These include massage, acupuncture, and electrical stimulation. When you combine chiropractic with them, you’re more likely to experience an improvement in your overall well-being. These adjunct therapies treat more than just your immediate pain. They help resolve referred pain and dysfunction.

Choosing Our Portland Chiropractor

 

Choosing the right chiropractor to meet your needs is key. Dr. McCary has been providing care and assistance in getting the right treatment for back pain for years. Getting to the root of back pain can be challenging. Once the situation has been corrected, many patients take their time in healing properly.
We can recommend a number of solutions that will work in your favor to make sure all your needs are addressed. Although the treatments may be painful in the beginning, with careful diagnosis and treatment, you will be able to slowly restore your quality of life.

Using our Portland chiropractor will not only alleviate back pain but will provide relief for those areas that are also impacted by your back. With so many nerve endings and other associated ailments, seeking the services of a chiropractor sooner rather than later can make a big difference.

Do not allow back pain to alter your lifestyle. Call us today at (503)234-4288 for more information on using a chiropractor and how their services in non-surgical relief can assist residents in Portland!

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