Understanding Back Pain
Got a quick 10-15 minutes? Grab a hot drink, get comfy, and dive into this article. You'll discover a whole new way to see how our bodies deal with pain and easy ways to help yourself, and others out.
The pinnacle of topics within the chiropractic and medical community. Back pain has been the talk of the town, since the World Health Organisation unveiled that back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It's time to open our eyes to the various physical, economic, and emotional challenges that pain brings to our community. As you reach the end of this article, you'll not only gain the knowledge to tackle back pain but also discover the resources needed to find the right support.
Pain is tricky. We often say "hurt doesn't always mean harm" in chiropractic talk. The truth is, figuring out one reason for our pain is hard. Sometimes, our pain feels worse because of stress, trauma, or an old injury, or there may be multiple lifestyle factors causing your pain to feel more intense. You might be in a lot of discomfort, but your body isn't actually in danger. It's like your brain hits a panic button, making pain a 'safe' response. On the flip side, sometimes pain gets more intense because our tolerance for it drops, and we might ignore a real injury until it becomes a big problem. We need to deal with both ends of the scale, and it all begins with education.
Acute vs. Chronic Back Pain: Understanding Timelines
“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional”
It's important to know that everyone, at some point, will go through times where pain crops up.
Let's break pain down into short and long-term categories:
Acute Pain: This is the short-term type, lasting from a few days to a few weeks. The latter part of this phase, lasting a couple of weeks, is often labeled as 'sub-acute.' We typically anticipate acute pain or injuries to calm down within 6-8 weeks, aligning with the usual timeframe for tissues to heal.
Chronic Pain: If pain persists beyond 8-12 weeks, we shift into the realm of chronic pain, which is your brain and bodies long-term response. The immune response to acute and chronic pain differs, yet they are interconnected, sharing similar qualities. Both warrant equal attention due to their impact.
Think of acute pain as the body's way of telling you something is wrong, like a temporary alarm system. It usually comes on suddenly and is often a response to an injury or tissue damage. For example, if you sprain your ankle, you'll feel acute pain. The good news is that acute pain is expected to get better as your body heals. It's like a short-term signal that sometimes needs attention.
Now, chronic pain is a bit different. It's like an alarm that keeps ringing long after the initial injury or problem is gone. Imagine the sprained ankle has healed, but the pain persists. Chronic pain can last for weeks, months, or even years. It's not just about the injury; it involves changes in the nerves and how the brain processes signals. Managing chronic pain requires a more long-term approach, and that's where we come in to help you navigate and find relief.
We can explain and visualise pain, by using the cup analogy:
(Image reference: admin (2021). Understanding Pain: The Overflowing Cup Metaphor. [online] Cary Orthopaedics.
Picture your life as a cup. You toss a bit in with a new project, maybe a little more with some fast food because cooking takes too long anyway. Add an extra day at the gym every week, and then throw in a few late nights and early mornings. On top of that, you roll your ankle, but you soldier on. To top it off, you boss just bought a new car and a touch of envy creeps in. Repeat these physical and emotional stressors for a while, and before you know it, your cup is full and overflowing.
This happens to a lot of us, but knowing how to handle these overflow moments is what makes our bodies stable in the long run. For the body to be steady, it needs time. Time to get used to changes slowly, letting our bodies and minds adjust and get ready for that extra capacity.
Now, there are two things we can do. First, we can take some stuff out of the cup by doing less physically or getting rid of things in life that make us stressed or worried. But often, we can't just get rid of these things. So, what we can do is grow around them. We change the size of the cup, so it can handle what's inside without spilling over.
We achieve this by doing activities we enjoy, managing stress, seeking guidance to treat acute injury, having a balanced diet, making sure to get enough rest, and building positive beliefs.
Chiropractors, are not just about clicking backs. We are not just here to help your tolerance, to advise you, or to use our hands on skills to treat your injures; but to also encourage that progress to last and develop beyond our treatment sessions.
Chiropractic care: What happens next?
Sometimes, we need a little extra guidance to get the knowledge and support needed to live without the burden of injury and pain. A chiropractor may be a great place to seek that support. Heres a little run down of what to expect with us:
Assessment and Diagnosis:
Our journey begins with a thorough assessment to determine what your injury is, how it was incurred, and what structures are involved. A precise diagnosis becomes our roadmap, guiding us towards tailored treatments.
Pain Relief Techniques:
We may use hands-on chiropractic adjustments, and muscle release techniques to provide immediate, short term pain relief and increased mobility. Complemented by modalities like ice, heat, and targeted rehabilitation, our aim is to ease discomfort and enhance long-term function.
Education and Expectation Setting:
We'll equip you with insights into the nature of your injury and set realistic expectations for your recovery. Understanding the behaviour of your pain is important for peace of mind. We will also work on educating you about the nature of the potential triggers of flare-ups, and discuss lifestyle changes and self-management strategies that are tailored to you.
Follow-Up Care:
Our commitment doesn't end with a single session. We'll be with you throughout your recovery, offering hands-on care, support, and guidance. Adequate rest and self-care practices will be emphasised for a swifter rebound.
And when necessary, we communicate with other health-care professionals, such a physiotherapists, radiologists, GP’s and holistic care practitioners to tackle your recovery from all angles.
We hope you enjoyed this exploration of pain and the body, and what to expect when seeking guidance form us. Keep discovering, keep learning, and stay curious!
