Back Pain Facts You Might Not Know?

Although doctors of chiropractic treat more than just back pain, a large percentage of
chiropractic patients visit their doctor looking for relief from this pervasive condition. In fact, 70
to 85 percent of all people have back pain at some time in their life.

A few interesting facts regarding back pain:

Low back pain is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits in the United
States.

Back pain is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45
years old.

Most cases of back pain are mechanical or non-organic—meaning they are not caused by
serious conditions, such as inflammatory arthritis, infection, fracture or cancer.

Approximately one quarter of U.S. adults reported having low back pain lasting at least
one whole day in the past three months, and 7.6 percent reported at least one episode of
severe acute low back pain within a one-year period.

Low back pain is also very costly: approximately 5 percent of people with back pain
disability account for 75 percent of the costs associated with low back pain.

One-half of all working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year.

Approximately 2 percent of the U.S. work force is compensated for back injuries each
year.

Americans spend at least $50 Billion per year on back pain—and that’s just for the more
easily identified costs.

If a person has back pain, what should they do?

If your back pain is not resolving quickly, visit your doctor of chiropractic. Your pain will often
result from mechanical problems that your doctor of chiropractic can address. Many chiropractic
patients with relatively long-lasting or recurring back pain feel improvement shortly after starting
chiropractic treatment. The relief is often greater after a month of chiropractic treatment than
after seeing a family physician.

The chiropractic approach is to find the cause of the pain and treat it directly. This may involve
realigning the spine or extremities by chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy for the muscles
and ligaments, rehabilitative exercises, or a combination of these. Sometimes the doctor of
chiropractic will suggest exercises or activities to prevent a reoccurrence of the problem. This
may provide a long term solution to the condition through prevention.

During the first visit, the doctor of chiropractic will complete a thorough examination that
typically includes:

• Patient history
• Physical examination
• Diagnostic studies (when indicated)
• Diagnosis
• Education about the problem and discussion of a chiropractic treatment plan or – if
warranted – referral to the appropriate health care specialist

Chiropractic spinal manipulation is proven to be a safe, effective, and affordable treatment
option. Chiropractic care reduces pain, restores normal range of motion, and decreases the need
for medication. In Navarre or Gulf Breeze, contact Pickett Chiropractic for more information at (850) 939-3339