Ray from South Chine writes, "Recently I was tying my shoes and I threw my back out. How come something so 'simple' can cause so much pain?"

Ray, that is a question asked by millions everyday. Low back pain is common problem in today's society. It is estimated that 80% of the population will experience some (type of back pain) during their lifetime.

Most low back problems start with a dull ache that is only annoying and often ignored. Examples of early low back problems may include morning low back stiffness, occasional "catches" in the back and dull aches with activity. Then it may progress to a more intense and sometimes disabling pain. Sometimes it feels better for a while only to return with simple activity such as tying your shoes.

The back can be compared to teeth in regards to pain. As most people are aware, you can have a cavity for a long time and never experience a tooth ache. Dentists usually detect the cavity before it becomes painful. If you do not have a periodic check up, eventually just eating can cause the tooth to scream with pain. It wasn't that one bite that caused the cavity; it is only what started the pain.

As with teeth, the actual pain in the back started with tying the shoes, but the problem was there long before. The back was just waiting for the right action to start the pain. To quote the old cliché, "it was the straw that broke the camels' back."

Just as dentists have done an excellent job keeping the pain to a minimum, the well trained chiropractor can often detect low back and spinal problems before they become extreme. The goal of chiropractic is to keep the patient's back healthy throughout life and decrease the chance of severe injury. Thank you for your question.

Original publication The Town Line newspaper South China, ME 04358
Information contained herein furnished by Nadeau Chiropractic Wellness Center
2135 N. Belfast Ave, Augusta, ME