Pain is considered chronic once it lasts for more than three months and exceeds the body’s natural healing process.

Chronic pain in the low back often involves a disc problem, a joint problem, and/or an irritated nerve root. Common causes include:

Subluxation

Subluxation refers to the mechanical compression and irritation to spinal joints and nerves. Misalignments in your spine (subluxation), especially those located near the top of your spine at your neck, can keep your brain stem from being fully protected and affect the function of every organ in your entire body. What are some of the reasons WHY subluxations develop? Common causes include poor posture, eating an inflammatory diet, injuries, degenerative diseases, stress, repetitive movements, and a sedentary lifestyle. In our clinic we'll do a thorough examination / analysis to determine WHERE subluxation is and the impact it's having on your health.

Muscle Strain & Ligament Sprain

A lower back sprain or strain can happen suddenly OR can develop slowly over time from repetitive movements. Strains occur when a muscle is stretched too far and tears, damaging the muscle itself. Sprains happen when over-stretching and tearing affects ligaments, which connect the bones together. Some causes would include: - Lifting a heavy object or twisting the spine while lifting. - Sudden movements that place too much stress on the low back. - Poor posture over time (sitting all day). - Sports injuries. Especially those that involve twisting or large forces of impact.

Herniated Disc

The center of a lumbar disc is like jelly & can break through the tough outer layer and irritate the nerve root(s). The herniated portion of the disc is full of proteins that cause inflammation when they reach a nerve, and inflammation as well as nerve compression cause excruciating pain. The disc wall is also supplied by nerve fibers, and a tear through the wall can cause severe pain.

Degenerative Disc Disease

As people age over time, discs lose hydration and wear down. As the disc loses hydration / water, it cannot resist forces as well, and forces to the disc wall may develop tears and cause pain or weakening that can lead to a herniation. The disc can also collapse and contribute to stenosis.

Sacroiliac Joint (SI) Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint (SI) connects the sacrum at the bottom of the spine to each side of the pelvis. It is a strong, low-motion joint that primarily absorbs shock. The sacroiliac joint can become painful if it becomes inflamed (sacroiliitis) or if there is too much or too little motion of the joint.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition that causes pain through narrowing of the spinal canal where the nerve roots are located. The narrowing can be central, forminal, or both. It can be at a single level or multiple levels in the lower back

Facet Joint Dysfunction

There are two facet joints behind each disc at each motion segment in the lumbar spine. These joints have cartilage between the bones and are surrounded by a capsular ligament, which is richly innervated by nerves. These joints can be painful by themselves, or in conjunction with disc pain.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis results from wear and tear of the disc and facet joints. It causes pain, inflammation, instability, and stenosis to a variable degree. Spinal osteoarthritis is associated with aging and is slowly progressive. It is also referred to as degenerative joint disease.

Trauma

Fractures or dislocations of the spine can lead to pain. Lower back pain that develops after a trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall, should be medically evaluated immediately.