Back Pain That Comes and Goes?

San Francisco Chiropractor Comments:

If you have back pain that comes and goes...and it's always in the same spot...chances are it's because of pressure on the nervous system. The source of the pressure is most likely a vertebral subluxation, a bulging or herniated disc...or degenerative disc disease...or spinal stenosis.

How do you know this...couldn't it be tight muscles or something else?

Yeah...I guess it could...but in my (17 years as a San Francisco Chiropractor) experience that's usually not the case. Yes...there are muscle spasms associated with any of the neurovascular compression syndromes listed above...but the muscle spasms are not the primary cause.

Sure, you can pull a muscle in your back doing something...then it goes away...that's not what we're talking about here. We are talking about the same kind of back pain, in the same location, that keeps reoccurring.

Don't get me wrong...muscle spasms, scar tissue, and fibrosis must be addressed also...we do this with Active Release Techniques (ART). 

Typically...when a neurovascular compression syndrome is left uncorrected...it continues to get worse over time...so the frequency of episodes increases, as does the intensity of the pain...and the duration of each episode.

So...what should I do if this is happening to me?

Well...you should find yourself a good chiropractor. The best way to find a chiropractor is word of mouth or online research. I write this blog as an educational tool for my existing patients and staff...and to help give prospective chiropractic patients information that they can use to help understand the benefits of modern chiropractic care. 

Sure...if you live or work in the SF Bay Area, we would like you to see us. We are located at the Embarcadero Center in downtown San Francisco. The name of our clinic is Executive Express Chiropractic. To schedule an appointment with one of our San Francisco Chiropractors please call 415-392-2225.

Dr. Eben Davis

Comments

[Rachael]

I am 26 year old female, one child. I have had severe re-occuring back pain since my teens. Started when I was about 18. I have pain that starts in my low back and radiates down to my knees, and sometimes down to my feet. Recently it is making my toes numb. I also have a lot of hamstring tightness and patello femoral syndrom. I am seeing a chiropractor for care. I did a lot of backpacking as a young teenager, and basically that means I walked around with 60 lb pack on my hips 10 miles a day for 3 days at a time. Could my symptoms simply be a disk, or could it be something like spondylithesis or spondylosis. Any opion would be appreciated!

[Dr. Eben Davis]

Hi Rachael, I would say it is highly likely that you have a bulging or herniated disc. An MRI sounds like it is indicated based on what you describe. As you mentioned...a Spondylolithesis is also a possiblity. This would be visible on lumbar x-ray. I would get an x-ray and an MRI if chiropractic fails to deliver results after about 4 weeks. Sure, all the backpacking could have contributed to your back problems...but the issue now is How Do We Help It? Good Luck. Dr. Davis

[Ariana]

I am a 22 year old female. I have been having this horrible lower back problem for about a year now. One day I wake up and I can barely walk like someone is trying to force me to lay down. I get sharp pains that goes from my lower back all the way down my leg. Whats odd is that I get them at least once a month and its the same pain in the same place. They last about two weeks give or take and I'll be fine until the next round. What I don't understand is that there is a pattern. Normally I would think I'm just pulling muscles or sleeping wrong, but the fact that they come around the same time and its the same pains makes me think its not. Any ideas?

[Dr. Eben Davis]

Hi Ariana, It sounds like you have a herniated or bulging disc in your low back. The symptom you describe of pain down the leg is called Sciatica. I would recommend visiting a chiropractor. Herniated and bulging discs respond favorably to chiropractic adjustments. If you do not respond your chiropractor will order an MRI and perhaps refer you for medical care. You also may be a candidate for nonsurgical spinal decompression. If you need help locating a chiropractor than has a spinal decompression machine let me know and I will try to find one for you. Email: ebendavis@yahoo.com.

[EMMA]

Hello, i have been having lower back pain mainly on more on either side of the spine.It comes and goes, codeine provides minimal relief. This pain started about 1 month after i fell on the doorway. A chiropractor worked on my back twice and i felt fine. Then few months later the pain keeps coming back.

[Dr. Eben Davis]

Sometimes the pain goes away before the problem is actually fixed. Typically, symptoms are the last thing to come and the first to go. I would get checked again by your chiropractor.

[kris]

I did some heavy lifting 2 days ago, yesterday I had middle back pain that came every couple of hours, now today I woke up and the pain is worse and coming about every minute, lasting about 5 seconds, any recommendations?

[Eben Davis, DC]

I would first apply ice to the area for 15 minutes every 2 hours. I would find a chiropractor in San Francisco or where you live to check for subluxations and pinched nerves.

[Celi]

Hi,I am a 39 year old female and I have been having lower back pain in the same spot on and off for about six weeks now. the pain comes right before getting up from bed, but once I start walking and moving around pain is gone.
Currently visiting a chiropractor- it does feel good but pain reoccurs .
Any recommendations?

[Inez Gerena]

Hello Dr. Davis, I have been having low back pains for two months the pain comes and goes, if I walk for a long period of time my back starts to hurt. What could this be.