Back Pain

What are the symptoms of back and joint pain?

If you suffer from back or joint pain, your symptoms can be sudden or gradually appear over time. The severity of your pain depends on the underlying cause of your condition. Symptoms of back and joint pain include:

• Loss of flexibility 
• Swelling around the joints
• Muscle aches
• Pain that travels down the leg
• Pain when bending or lifting
• Difficulty walking or standing
• Pain that reduces when reclining
• Stiffness

If symptoms are persistent, it’s important to seek medical care to relieve your symptoms and prevent loss of mobility. Back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. 

What causes back pain?

Most people experience back pain at some point in their lives. Overextending yourself at work or the gym can easily result in temporary mild back pain. Problems begin when back pain becomes persistent or severe. There are a number of conditions and injuries that commonly cause back pain. These include:

Strains

The muscles and ligaments in the back can become injured from heavy lifting or sudden awkward movements. Repeated strains can result in painful muscle spasms and drastically limit your mobility. 

Herniated or bulging disks 

Disks are responsible for cushioning the bones of your spine. When disks bulge or rupture, they can put pressure on the nerves in your back, causing pain. 

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition that causes your bones to become weak and brittle, increasing your risk for fractures. Fractures of the spine are painful and can occur suddenly. 

Scoliosis

Scoliosis refers to an abnormal curvature of the spine. Although most cases of scoliosis are mild, the condition can cause pain and other complications with age. 

What causes joint pain?

Joint pain can affect any joint in any area of your body, including the knees, shoulders, hips, elbows, and back. The most common cause of joint pain is arthritis. 

Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation and tenderness in your joints. There are several types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common. Osteoarthritis is caused by wear-and-tear on your cartilage, the soft material that cushions the bones and joints. When cartilage breaks down, the bones can rub against each other, causing severe pain and limited range of motion. Arthritis can also cause inflammations and tenderness to the joints in your back. 

How is back and joint pain treated?

Back and joint pain can be effectively treated in a number of ways. At Healing Duo Integrative Family Medical Practice, the team works with you to determine the cause of your pain and the best treatment for safe and effective relief. Naturopathic treatments for back and joint pain include:

• Physical therapy
• Spinal/joint manipulations
• Acupuncture and cupping
• Hands-on soft-tissue work
• Electrical stimulation
• Heat or cold stimulation
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM)

Your doctor uses specialized naturopathic techniques to decrease pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and help your muscles, ligaments, and joints function properly.

To find out which treatment is right for your back and joint pain, book an appointment by phone or online today at Healing Duo Integrative Family Medical Practice.