Patient Perspectives: Does Back Pain Affect My Overall Health?

Many chronic back pain and neck pain sufferers have reported that their condition has led to a wide range of physical, psychological, and emotional problems. From headaches, migraines, and digestive issues, to depression, anxiety, fatigue, and compromised immune systems.^1-3

Does Back Pain Effect Your Health?

Yes. Recent studies clearly indicate that alterations in alignment of the sagittal plane (side view) of the spine are strong determinants of back pain, disability, and health status; this is especially true for the lumbo-pelvic region of the spine.^4-6 For example, in a 2002 report, Korovesis et al4 prospectively evaluated the lumbar lordosis (side curvature) in 100 normal controls age, sex, weight, and occupation matched to 100 Chronic LBP subjects between the ages of 20-70 years. In addition, to radiographic alignment, all subjects completed the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire. It was found that chronic LBP statistically correlated to general health, physical function, emotional function, social function and pain. Importantly, all these variables were also statistically correlated to a reduced overall lumbar lordosis, a reduced L4-S1 lordosis, and a reduced L4-S1 lumbar disc height index.

It’s not just your bones, muscles, ligaments, and discs that feel the effects of spinal misalignment; your nervous system will be affected too. The nervous system is responsible for EVERY function of the human body. The brain sends vital nerve energy down into the spine, and out to all the limbs and organs – effortlessly and without any interference. The reality is that when people’s spines have been misaligned one way or another, this altered alignment exerts excessive and sometimes, dangerous, pressure on the delicate nerves flowing out of the spine.

Generically, altered nervous system pressures from spinal misalignment can be thought of as nerve interference. This interference not only causes pain and discomfort in the back and neck, but more importantly cuts down on vital nerve energy from reaching other body systems. Without proper nerve energy, body systems may experience dysfunction and eventually disease may set in.

Surgery vs. Conservative Care?

While severe spine deformities can require surgical interventions, why not fix the problem before it gets to that point. As early as 2002, studies demonstrated that very focused conservative-non-surgical methods can improve the sagittal plane alignment in patients with low back pain and disability.^7-10 One of the most successful non-surgical methods for restoration of the lumbar lordosis and pelvic tilt is called extension lumbar traction; this was developed and tested by Chiropractic BioPhysics or CBP Technique researchers.⁷ More than a decade later, other researchers have confirmed what Chiropractic BioPhysics researchers reported and suggested in 2002 – that correction of the lumbar side view of the spine improves back pain, disability, and nerve function.^8-10

How Does Spinal Misalignment Happen?

Spinal misalignment is a result of poor postural habits (computer use, driving, watching TV), automobile accidents, sports injuries, and even birth trauma. Everyone who experiences gravity, will eventually experience some sort of spinal misalignment. Back pain, neck pain, and headaches are often the last indications of spinal misalignment, since the majority of internal organs don’t have many pain receptors and can’t signal that something is wrong. Fatigue, depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, acid reflux disease, asthma, high blood pressure, allergies, weak immune system, and difficulty sleeping are all common indications that there can be a serious spinal misalignment.

What Can Be Done to Remedy This?

One of the best ways to eliminate the source of pain, dysfunction, and disease is to realign the spine back to its correct shape, and take pressure off of the delicate nerves in the neck and back.

Chiropractic BioPhysics® or CBP Technique is one of the most researched, scientific, and results-oriented corrective care techniques in the world. Chiropractors who practice CBP have seen tremendous results with patients suffering with chronic back and neck pain, disease, and in many cases, even organ dysfunction.

How Can You Get Help?

Chiropractic BioPhysics® corrective care trained Chiropractors are located throughout the United States and in several international locations. CBP providers have helped thousands of people throughout the world realign their spine back to health, and eliminate a source of chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, chronic headaches and migraines, fibromyalgia, and a wide range of other health conditions. If you are serious about your health and the health of your loved ones, contact a CBP trained provider today to see if you qualify for care. The exam and consultation are often FREE. See www.CBPpatient.com for providers in your area.

Reference Links
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25322735
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25006368
3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15583360
4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12394662
5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25274788
6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23722572
7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12422330
8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23640324
9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22632584
10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22684211