The causes of back pain can be complex. Some causes of back pain include accidents, sports injuries, and muscle strains.

A complete history and initial examination will be performed for your back pain at our office.

Two main types of back injury include Spondylolisthesis and Cervical Radiculopathy.

Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolysis, which is a fracture or defect of one or both wing-shaped parts of a vertebra, results in this vertebral slipping forward, backward, or over a bone below. This is a slipping of vertebrae that occurs, in most cases, at the base of the spine. A vertebra might be defective at birth, broken down by infection or disease or by a stress fracture or trauma.

Symptoms of spondylolisthesis may include:

• Lower back pain
• Muscle tightness and stiffness
• Pain in the buttocks
• Pain radiating down the legs (due to pressure on nerve roots)
• Muscle weakness

Treatments for spondylolisthesis at our office include:

• Spinal Adjustment- offers longer-lasting relief of symptoms. The Chiropractor uses quick, hands-on pressure or an activator to realign your vertebrae. Adjustments can decrease pain which makes it easier to move muscles in your neck and back while improving your range of motion in these areas.  
• Physical Therapy- by strengthening the supportive abdominal and back muscles
• Spinal Decompression- a non-surgical therapy to help alleviate pain and promote healing of the intervertebral disc.  
• Massage Therapy- spinal alignment issues can cause painful stiffening in the muscles of your back and neck. Massage improves blood flow and relaxes stiffness in the area, assisting in recovery.

Cervical Radiculopathy: Cervical radiculopathy is the damage or disturbance of nerve function that results if one of the nerve roots near the cervical vertebrae is compressed. Damage to nerve roots in the cervical area can cause weakness, pain, the loss of sensation in the neck, arms or shoulders, depending on where the damaged roots are located. Damage can occur as a result of degenerative changes in bones, pressure from material from a ruptured disc, arthritis or other injuries that may put pressure on the nerve roots.

Symptoms of Cervical Radiculopathy include:

• Pain that spreads into the arm, shoulders, neck and or chests.
• Numbness or tingling in fingers or hands
• Muscle weakness
• Lack of coordination, especially in the hands

Treatments of Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment at our office:

• Chiropractic Adjustment- adjustments can improve your neck alignment and shift bones or herniated discs away from nerve tissue, restoring the normal flow of nerve signals
• Physical Therapy- exercises, modalities to reduce pain and gentle cervical traction/mobilization.