Tender Points vs. Trigger Points: Diagnosing Fibromyalgia

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In spinal healthcare, two primary types of points are used to delineate different types of pain and their relevant causes: Tender points and trigger points. While it’s easy to confuse these two different methods of pinpointing pain, it’s important to realize they refer to distinct and separate phenomena.

At Advanced Spine and Posture, we’re adept at differentiating both tender and trigger points in our Las Vegas, NV patients. Doing so is the first step in making an accurate diagnosis of a condition like fibromyalgia.

Tender points vs. trigger points

Tender points relate to fibromyalgia. They’re a useful diagnostic tool chiropractors and other holistic healthcare providers can use to provide an accurate diagnosis of fibromyalgia versus other types of chronic pain. If you have 11 or more of the 18 established tender points, it’s likely your chiropractor will diagnose you with fibromyalgia. However, you may still receive a diagnosis even if you have less than 11.

Trigger points, meanwhile, are areas of concentrated, tightly wound muscle fibers. Trigger points are associated with localized and referred pain. Also called muscular knots, trigger points are often associated with underlying musculoskeletal conditions that could cause long-term adverse health problems if left untreated.

Qualifying sensitivities

It’s important to learn how to differentiate between tender points and trigger points, so you can provide your chiropractor with accurate information. Qualifying the sensitivities you’re experiencing can help a chiropractor move forward with your case. Here are a few of the defining traits of tender points:

  • Localized pain: Tender points cause localized pain directly on the source.
  • Always multiple sites: People with tender points never experience a single tender site; instead, they experience multiple points of tenderness.
  • Symmetrical locations: The tender points are symmetrically located across the body. There are a total of 18 possible tender points.
  • No referred pain: Pain within tender points is always localized and never referred. Tender points can, however, increase sensitivity throughout the body.

While it’s often easy to mistake the two, there are several factors that set trigger points apart from tender points:

  • Taut band and twitch response: Trigger points are defined by a taut band of muscle, exhibiting a twitch response.
  • Single or multiple points: Unlike tender points, it’s possible for a single trigger point to manifest in your body.
  • All skeletal muscles are at risk: Trigger points don’t appear on predetermined parts of the body like tender points do. Instead, they can manifest on any skeletal muscle.
  • Causes specific referred pain: Trigger points refer pain in a specific pattern to other parts of the body, but don’t contribute to overall tenderness.

While trigger points and tender points both represent a healthcare conundrum, it’s important to understand the ways in which they differ. Understanding them will outline an accurate course of treatment, alleviating symptoms and treating underlying conditions.

Get to the point!

Not sure if you have a tender point or a trigger point? Want to know if you may have fibromyalgia? These are questions for a chiropractor.

At Advanced Spine and Posture, we help Las Vegas, NV patients qualify the sensitivity they’re experiencing and will diagnose any corresponding condition associated with them. Then, through a Chiropractic BioPhysics approach, we’ll work to assist you in managing or alleviating your discomfort.

To learn more about ways we diagnose and treat trigger points or tender points, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

Better Bedtime Habits to Help Reduce Your Insomnia and Back Pain

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woman suffering from insomnia

Few things are more integral to human health than a good night’s sleep. Spending each night tossing and turning could have serious adverse health outcomes in the long-term. That’s why it’s important to take steps toward improving the quality of your sleep if you’re experiencing insomnia or back pain whenever you hit the sack.

But, as we all know, good sleep is hard to come by! Many Las Vegas, NV patients come to Advanced Spine and Posture with complaints of back pain, chronic headaches, and muscle tension –products of a poor night’s sleep. Getting the sleep you need is a matter of changing your habits.

Many factors affect your quality of sleep, ranging from chronic pain conditions to stress at work. Understanding how your behavior and health affect your ability to get a good night’s sleep can empower you to make good decisions and improve the amount and quality of sleep you get each night.

There are several easy lifestyle changes you can make to improve your quality of sleep, duration of REM cycles, and overall feeling of being rested when the morning comes. Give the following a try if you’re having trouble getting quality shuteye:

  • Stick to a schedule: Maintaining a regular schedule is among the most significant steps you can take toward improving overall sleep. Our bodies operate on a biological clock, meaning they operate best when they’re on a regimented schedule. Staying on a consistent schedule will help your body get tired and wake up naturally, regularly.
  • Eat right: Staying on a healthy diet isn’t just good for your waistline – it’s also an essential part of maintaining a healthy sleep schedule. Avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine before bedtime can help you improve your sleep quality. Additionally, avoid going to bed on either an empty or completely full stomach. Doing so can cause discomfort and keep you from falling asleep.
  • Avoid naps: Taking long daytime naps disrupts your established sleep schedule and can make it especially challenging to fall asleep at night. If you find yourself needing to take a nap, do so earlier on in the day and avoid napping for more than 30 minutes at all costs.
  • Exercise every day: A common source of sleeplessness is a lack of exercise. You should be working out regularly to help your body feel tired when it’s time for bed. Additionally, spending time outdoors can help you improve your ability to sleep. Fresh air and sunlight go a long way towards helping your body calm down and get ready for sleep.
  • Create the right environment: Our ability to sleep is largely dependent on the environment we’re in. You should be in space that’s comfortable and familiar, designed to facilitate sleep. In your bedroom, for instance, the lighting should be low and you should avoid blue lighting (no phone screens!). Additionally, work to reduce stress and anxiety before bed, through breathing exercises or light stretching.

Getting the sleep you need is a product of creating the right routine for your body to adapt to. At Advanced Spine and Posture, we work at-length with our Las Vegas, NV patients to help pinpoint ways to improve their sleep – and as a result, their body’s natural ability to heal. This starts with Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP): A tailored adjustment schedule that’s patient-specific, targeting areas of misalignment or concern in the spine.

To learn more about ways we might be able to help you get the sleep you need and deserve, contact us today to schedule an evaluation.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

Your Back Spasms Are a Sign You’re Not Healing from Injury Properly

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It’s expected that roughly 80 percent of American adults will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Back pain is usually caused by everything from poor posture, to injury, to pregnancy. Accompanying back pain, back spasms are the result of involuntary contraction of the back muscles. These spasms may indicate an existing injury isn’t healing correctly, and could be a sign that you need to visit a chiropractic practitioner to have your recovery progress reevaluated.

There are a number of potential causes of back spasms, ranging from severe to relatively inconsequential. It’s important to realize, however, that back spasms are always a symptom of an underlying issue and not an issue in and of themselves. If you’re suffering from back spasms –which can be quite painful and uncomfortable – it’s advisable to seek out the assistance of a qualified care provider as soon as possible.

Advanced Spine and Posture is ready to help Las Vegas, NV patients make sense of their spasms. We may be able to help put you on a better road to recovery after an injury.

Diagnosing the source of back spasms

To diagnose a back spasm, a medical professional or chiropractic care provider will offer a range of potential solutions, including X-rays, magnetic imaging, or computerized tomographic (CT) scans.

Common causes of back spasms include ruptured discs, weak abdominal muscles and heavy lifting. When muscles in the lower back are injured, they may begin to spasm as a response to trauma. If back spasms continue, it could indicate serious issues with your muscles or the spinal tissue around them.

Sports, particularly golf and football, are also a common catalyst for back spasms. Many athletic activities require you to repeatedly twist back and forth, which can result in trauma to muscles in the lumbar back.

Treating back spasms

Regardless of the source of your back spasms, it’s important to receive an accurate diagnosis as soon as you begin experiencing symptoms. Working with a qualified provider of chiropractic care is the best way to ensure that the source of your muscle trauma is accurately diagnosed and treated.

Depending on the frequency and severity of your spasms, your provider may provide you with pain management tools in addition to your treatment. For example, both ice and heat are effective pain management tools to reduce swelling. It’s important to remember, however, that while pain management may mitigate the symptoms of your spasms, they’re not treating the underlying causes.

If you have a ruptured or slipped disc, physical manipulation of the spine via chiropractic care may be the best way to treat the injury. For traumatized muscles, your chiropractor may encourage you to take up physical therapy exercises, to help you to rebuild strength in the muscle that will eventually stop your spasms from occurring.

Don’t suffer through spasms

Advanced Spine and Posture is a trusted source of chiropractic care in Las Vegas, NV and surrounding areas. We’re here to deliver relief through corrective chiropractic care, physical therapy, and much more, using an individualized Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) approach. If you’re suffering from back spasms or if you’ve recently undergone spinal trauma, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation and appointment.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

How Can Traction Help Reduce the Pressure in Your Lower Back?

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Pain and pressure in the lower (lumbar) back can be caused by a range of issues, including nerve compression, muscle strain, and more. Holistic healthcare providers, including chiropractors, will try to identify the source of lumbar pressure or pain and prescribe a treatment that addresses both the symptoms and the root cause of the discomfort. Lumbar traction is one of these approaches.

Lumbar traction is a healing processes used by some holistic healthcare practitioners to help patients overcome discomfort and pain associated with the lumbar area. Using weights, pulleys, and levers, a chiropractor will apply mechanized pressure to manipulate the lower back and gently stretch the spine itself, resulting in a slow and steady decompression process.

Chiropractors may use lumbar traction to treat a range of back pain symptoms and causes, including sciatica, bulging discs, diseased spinal nerve joints, and more. The only way to determine if lumbar traction is a suitable treatment for you and your back pressure or pain is to ask your chiropractor if this therapy is right for you. At Advanced Spine and Posture, we’re always happy to explain the potential benefits of traction to all of our Las Vegas, NV patients.

What to expect with spinal traction

If your chiropractor recommends spinal traction therapy for you, it’s important to realize there are two primary methods of administering treatment.

  • It’s likely they’ll start by administering manual lumbar traction therapy. During a manual therapy session, a chiropractor uses their hands to manipulate the spine and surrounding joints and muscles into a state of traction. This is often a less intensive form of traction therapy.
  • Mechanical spinal traction therapy involves a series of devices, including pulleys, slings and more. The chiropractor will use these tools to slowly, gently stretch out the spine and alleviate pressure. Mechanical spinal traction is a more intensive therapy that may cause some temporary discomfort.

During and after spinal traction treatments, you’re likely to experience small muscle spasms. Some soreness in the lumbar back and other areas of the spinal column may result, as well. Your chiropractor will likely offer you tips for pain management following your appointment. It’s important to remain well rested and hydrated both before and after a spinal traction therapy appointment.

Benefits of spinal traction

While studies demonstrating the effectiveness of spinal traction on treating back pain and pressure are inconclusive, anecdotal evidence suggests spinal traction therapy is an effective means of treatment for many patients suffering from sciatica and other forms of disc damage.

The best way to ascertain whether spinal traction therapy is right for you is simply asking your chiropractor. If spinal traction alleviates pain and pressure in your lumbar back, you can work out a treatment schedule with your practitioner.

Advanced Spine and Posture is a full-service chiropractic care center offering holistic healthcare solutions for residents of the Greater Las Vegas, NV area. Count on us to provide you with personalized, innovative treatment strategies, rooted in our individualized Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) approach. Call today to schedule your free consultation.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

Here’s What Happens When You Have a Forward Head Posture

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Posture is one of the most important (and controllable) factors affecting personal health. Good posture can contribute to a healthy, well-aligned spine and nervous system. Bad posture, however, can lead to a number of health concerns, from back pain, to mood swings, to headaches, and far beyond.

Forward head posture (FHP) is a common type of improper posture that can cause a range of adverse health outcomes. Typically, the cases of FHP we see at Advanced Spine and Posture bring our Las Vegas, NV patients in with complaints of muscle fatigue and more serious conditions, like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ).

Common health effects of forward head posture

Because the cervical spine is such a critical area in regards to posture, FHP easily causes a number of health concerns, including the following:

  • Spinal stress: Over time, FHP can cause stress to the spinal column and lead to pinched nerves.
  • Hunched back: Typically, people experiencing FHP also hunch their shoulders and round their upper back, resulting in even more discomfort.
  • Reduced mobility: FHP may eventually cause reduced mobility, making it difficult to move the neck.
  • Muscle imbalances: FHP will eventually cause some muscles in the neck, spine and shoulders to become overly tight and others to become overly loose.
  • TMJ: This painful and uncomfortable condition frequently accompanies FHP. If left untreated, it can result in a number of adverse health outcomes.

Typical causes of forward head positioning

There are a range of potential causes of FHP that affect people of all ages and professions, though office workers are ultimately more susceptible to this condition. Here are just some of the most common sources of FHP and its related side-effects:

  • Trauma: Whiplash, caused by car accidents, falls and other sources of trauma, can cause FHP. During the recovery period, you may extend your neck to alleviate pain. In the long-run, this can cause long-term pain and health concerns.
  • Backpacks: Children are particularly susceptible to FHP caused by weighty backpacks. Many school bags now weigh as much as 30 pounds! Children may use their heads to counterbalance the weight of the backpack.
  • Computer use: People who use computers extensively for work are often at risk of FHP. This often occurs when computer screens are positioned too low, or when they frequently bend their head down to read the screen.
  • Entertainment: Extensive time in front of television and video game screens can also cause FHP. Children and adults are likely to crane their head toward the screen while playing video games or binge-watching television shows.

Possible approaches to addressing FHP

Unlike many other chronic spinal problems that may result in permanent damage, FHP is a treatable, repairable condition. Here are some ways that you can start treating FHP symptoms:

  • Adjust screen positions: Elevating your screen position can help you reduce FHP. Move the screen so that the top third of the screen is level with your eyes.
  • Use a back support pillow: Whenever you’re seated, position a pillow at your low back to support your spinal column.
  • Take regular stretch breaks: Every 30 minutes, take a break from your computer and perform a series of stretches on your neck and spine.
  • Seek chiropractic care: Seek out the assistance of a professional chiropractor. Working with a qualified professional can help you develop a specialized treatment regimen.

Advanced Spine and Posture is a Las Vegas chiropractic clinic specializing in the treatment of FHP and other spinal column-related conditions. Call us today to learn more about ways we can help you overcome the adverse effects of poor posture using our Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) approach to patient care.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

What’s Behind Your Coccydynia?

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Coccydynia is pain and inflammation that’s localized exclusively to the tail bone, or coccyx, usually presenting as a dull, throbbing ache. There are a number of other conditions that can mimic coccydynia, however, making it important to get a professional’s opinion before self-diagnosing.

If you’re experiencing pain in your coccyx, seek the help of Advanced Spine and Posture as soon as possible! We’ve helped patients in Las Vegas, NV qualify their tailbone pain as either coccydynia or another condition, so they can get the help they need.

If left untreated, tailbone pain can drastically affect your quality of life and productivity. Coccydynia can make daily activities, like walking or sitting, unbearably painful. While a professional’s ability to treat coccydynia is largely dependent on the condition’s source, working with a trusted doctor can help you alleviate symptoms and identify the source of your pain.

Getting to the bottom of the pain in your butt!

Coccydynia is one of those conditions that can show up one day and stick around for extended periods of time. There are a number of catalysts for tailbone pain, affecting people of all ages and lifestyles, including the following:

  • Trauma: Falls and other accidents are the most common source of trauma to the coccyx, leading to coccydynia. Other risk factors can include vaginal childbirth, prolonged periods seated on non-cushioned surfaces and degenerative joint diseases.
  • Infection: While not necessarily true coccydynia, infections can produce similar symptoms. Infections may include shingles on the buttocks and bacterial perianal cysts. These types of infections can cause the coccyx to inflame and become exceptionally painful.
  • Sciatica: This is also not true coccydynia; herniated discs, however, can cause symptoms and pain that mirror coccydynia. The only way to have the source of your pain accurately diagnosed is by consulting with a qualified, trusted medical professional, like your chiropractor.
  • Bone fracture: Fracturing your coccyx results in coccydynia. Fractures to other, nearby bones, however, could also cause coccydynia. Any localized inflammation in your pelvic and groin area can exacerbate pain and make activities like sex and defecation painful and uncomfortable.

Addressing tailbone pain and symptoms

Addressing coccydynia requires lots of care and attention. Here are just some of the ways you may be able to reduce pain and swelling in your coccyx:

  • Donut-shaped pillows: Sitting on donut-shaped pillows can reduce the strain that you place on your coccyx. Donut-shaped pillows are an excellent way to go about your daily life in general, while reducing strain on your tail bone.
  • Ice and heat: Regularly applying ice and heat intermittently can help you reduce both pain and inflammation in your coccyx. Be sure to ask your doctor for advice about how to best apply ice and heat.
  • Manipulation: Visiting a chiropractor may help reduce the effects of coccydynia. Chiropractors can manipulate the coccyx itself, as well as surrounding bones, nerves and muscles, to stimulate nerves and alleviate pressure.
  • Therapy: Physical therapy can also aid coccydynia recovery. Therapists can address both the symptoms and causes of your pain. Working with a physical therapist can help you ensure your coccyx heals correctly, and that it isn’t further damaged during the healing process.

Advanced Spine and Posture is a Las Vegas, NV chiropractic practice offering holistic healthcare treatments for patients suffering from coccydynia and other chronic pain conditions. Reach out today to learn more about our comprehensive Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) treatment plans.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

Clicking in Your Neck Could be a Telling Sign for a Bigger Issue

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As we age, our joints weaken, and things stop working how they used to. Cracking and popping noises may appear one day, but their routine appearance often results in us drowning them out and thinking they are “normal.” One common symptom adults tend to report to our chiropractic team at Advanced Spine and Posture in Las Vegas, NV is a clicking or cracking sound when they turn their heads to the side.

Because this noise may not always be accompanied by any severe neck pain, you may think nothing of it and continue about your day. But these clicking noises are not to be ignored. They actually may indicate cartilage damage in the neck or another problem that should be treated to prevent pain or injury.

What’s causing the cracking?

There are a few different reasons why your neck might be clicking or cracking, and some are more serious than others. The cervical spine (neck) is made up of numerous vertebrae and discs with facet joints between them, along with muscles, ligaments, and nerves. Clicking or cracking sensations or sounds may be originating from a combination of these many integrated parts.

The occasional crack is usually not a big deal. These cracks might happen because of a buildup of gas bubbles within your joints that get released with movement. If you move your neck and it cracks, but you can’t crack it again until later and you don’t feel any pain, you probably don’t need to worry.

However, if you can crack your neck repeatedly with movement, and/or you begin to feel pain, stiffness, or swelling following the cracking, there may be an underlying issue you need to address.

Concerns about neck cartilage

The most likely reason you’re hearing a clicking is because of damage to the cartilage in your neck. Cartilage is a smooth and elastic-feeling tissue that covers the ends of your facet joints and absorbs shock when you move. Over time, this cartilage can get worn down and damaged, typically because of a condition like osteoarthritis.

When cartilage gets damaged, it loses its smooth texture and thins out, making movement across the cartilage less easy and gentle. The clicking or grinding you feel when you move your neck is called crepitus and is caused by the rough movement of damaged cartilage and bones grating on bones.

Osteoarthritis can become severely painful and debilitating if it continues to degenerate your cartilage, potentially leading to increased swelling, stiffness, and immobility. If you feel pain or experience stiffness or swelling in combination with neck crepitus, visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Treating cracking in the neck

There is no set cure for crepitus or its underlying conditions like osteoarthritis. However, you may be able to find relief from pain by visiting a chiropractor.

Through our Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) technique, gentle manipulations of the cervical spine, stretches, and exercises led by one of the chiropractors at Advanced Spine and Posture in Las Vegas, NV may help with pain management and lead to improved mobility of the neck.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

Osteoporosis Doesn’t Just Affect Women

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Osteoporosis, a degenerative bone disease, affects over 50 million people in the United States. The disease is known to occur more in older adults and is particularly common in females. However, that does not mean it cannot affect males.

Many men assume osteoporosis won’t affect them, but the disease is silent and can sneak up on you unexpectedly. One in four men aged 50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis in their lifetime.

Osteoporosis goes beyond causing brittle bones, though. It can cause a lifetime of pain, immobility and posture problems – which can put your whole body out of whack. At Advanced Spine and Posture, we encourage both women and men in Las Vegas, NV to visit our team of spinal experts to learn more about osteoporosis and identify a care plan that may help minimize pain.

What happens during osteoporosis?

Just like every other type of cell in your body, bone cells die and regenerate. Your bones are actually living tissue, being broken down and replaced by new cells.

When osteoporosis occurs, the bone cells are being broken down faster than new ones can be created, causing a decline in bone density. This makes bones more brittle and prone to breakage, and can also cause structural changes in the body, such as a hunched appearance.

How osteoporosis affects men

Having low levels of the sex hormone testosterone is the most common cause of osteoporosis in men. A decrease in testosterone levels may occur as a result of age, congenital defects, or medical treatments such as cancer treatment or arthritis medication. However, the way osteoporosis affects men is slightly different from the way it affects women.

Whereas women typically lose trabecular bone, which is the spongy bone located inside the hard bone, men usually experience trabecular thinning. This causes bone loss to proceed much slower than in women.

Unlike women, who usually begin monitoring bone density after the age of 50, men do not always receive routine scans to measure bone loss in their senior years. This often results in the condition worsening behind the scenes until a bone fracture or break appears.

It is advised that men also begin paying attention to bone density as they age to get ahead of the problem and prevent painful fractures. Men should also be aware of the risk factors for osteoporosis, which include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyles, and poor diet.

Dealing with osteoporosis

If you are a male worried about osteoporosis, a chiropractor may be able to help you identify the signs of the condition and reach a diagnosis. If you have been diagnosed, there are numerous treatment methods available. Chiropractic manipulations are one of the ways in which your chiropractor may be able to improve your mobility, strengthen your body and reduce the risk of falling to make managing your osteoporosis easier.

The chiropractors at Advanced Spine and Posture serve both men and women suffering from osteoporosis at our office in Las Vegas, NV. Our approach to client health, called Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP), puts emphasis on improving your entire body by focusing on the spine. If you’re searching for a way to treat bone density loss, we may be able to help.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

Lumbago: The Lingering Low Back Pain You Just Can’t Seem to Shake

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Everyone feels lower back pain once in a while. Perhaps you had to carry something heavy or twisted in a strange way, resulting in a sprain. This pain generally goes away after a few days with the help of an ice pack and pain medication, but what happens if it doesn’t? Persistent lower back pain is not something to ignore – it may be indicative of a more serious problem.

Mild to severe lower back pain is also called “lumbago,” and it can be difficult to manage and treat. Fortunately, with the help of an experienced professional like the ones at Advanced Spine and Posture in Las Vegas, NV, you may be able to identify the root of your pain and find ways to ease it, so you can get back to your everyday life.

What exactly is lumbago?

Having a healthy lower back is important for your health – not only does the lower back help support your entire torso, it is also instrumental in free movement. However, there are a lot of bones, joints, muscles and connective tissues in and around your lumbar spine (lower back) that can get injured and cause pain.

The term “lumbago” covers a broad spectrum of pain, including chronic and acute pain, as well as who it affects, from young to senior patients. People who work very physical jobs and the elderly are at higher risk of lumbago because of the added pressure on their backs.

Lumbago may manifest in a few different symptoms, the most obvious being pain in the lower back. Your pain may also radiate to other areas, including the buttocks, groin, and legs, as well as produce tingling sensations in these areas. Your pain may last for just a short while, or be considered chronic, lasting longer than three months. It may also limit your movement, affect your posture or cause stiffness.

A few different types of lumbago exist. These categories and their symptoms help doctors understand what exactly is causing the pain.

  • Axial: Axial pain does not radiate to the surrounding limbs but stays central to the lower back. This type of pain is the most common form of lumbago.
  • Radicular: Radicular pain is lower back pain that often radiates down to the legs and feet. It’s normally caused by compression or injury of the nerve root (which is also known as sciatica).
  • Referred: Referred pain is the least common type of lumbago. It is back pain that moves and radiates from the back to other areas of the body like the groin or limbs; however, the pain you feel is due to your brain’s inability to pinpoint the source of the pain. Pain may actually stem from an injury to any of the surrounding areas you feel pain in.

Diagnosing and treating lumbago

The main way to best treat your lumbago is to identify and address the cause of the pain, not the symptom of pain itself. Visiting a chiropractor can allow you to work with a professional to get to the bottom of your back pain.

Unfortunately, reaching a diagnosis can be challenging because of the wide number of potential causes of lumbago, which range from herniated discs, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis to scoliosis or even a spinal tumor.

In order to diagnose the cause of your lumbago, your chiropractor will need to know a few important things. Namely, what type of pain you’re feeling in your lower back – shooting, dull, aching, etc. – and when the pain occurs. Additionally, they’ll need to know where the pain is felt – is it concentrated in the lower back, or does it extend elsewhere? Giving your chiropractor as much information about your pain as possible may help you reach a solution faster.

Once a specific cause is diagnosed, your chiropractor may be able to ease or eliminate your pain by implementing a care regimen. Chiropractic manipulations may help or even rectify the underlying cause of your pain, especially if it lies in the spine. Your chiropractor may also walk you through gentle exercises and stretches to strengthen your back.

If you or someone you know if suffering from persistent lower back pain and not seeing much relief, contact Advanced Spine and Posture in Las Vegas, NV. Our experts use a practice called Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) to holistically examine each patient and work to identify the underlying cause of their symptoms.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.

A Sedentary Lifestyle Could be the Cause of Your Coccydynia

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For many types of pain, the first instinct of a patient will be to rest. Sitting or lying down usually helps relieve pressure on various parts of the body – typically the legs, back or shoulders. However, rest and relaxation are not the cure for one type of pain in particular: coccydynia.

Referring to pain in the tailbone, coccydynia may appear in many forms and be caused by a few different things. But one cause in particular may surprise you: too much rest. Prolonged periods of inactivity and sitting down may be causing your tailbone more harm than good, leading to pain.

Fortunately, increasing your activity level and getting assistance from a chiropractor like the experts at Advanced Spine and Posture in Las Vegas, NV may be able to relieve your discomfort for good. If this type of pain is starting to sound familiar, read on and examine whether your lifestyle is playing a role.

Understanding coccydynia and its causes

Your tailbone, or coccyx, is a triangular section of bone situated at the very bottom of the spine near the sacrum. It usually comprises four bones and numerous semi-fused joints that permit some movement.

The coccyx plays an important role in supporting your body while seated and shifts with movement alongside the pelvic muscles and hips.

When coccydynia begins, it usually manifests in the form of localized pain that is usually intensified when sitting or putting pressure on the tailbone. Most people describe this pain as aching or sore until additional pressure is added to the tailbone, in which case severe pain may begin. Although seated position may cause pain, movement may also be difficult.

Your pain may become more intense when shifting from a seated position to a standing one due to the rotation of the pelvic bones and coccyx. Pain may also shoot down the legs or radiate up into the back.

There are a few common causes of this type of pain. Most commonly, coccydynia begins after a localized trauma to the coccyx, such as a fall or childbirth. Hypermobility may also contribute to pain because it stresses the joints between the sacrum and coccyx.

However, you may be surprised to discover that not moving enough can also have an effect on your coccyx. Sitting in one position for too long may cause your tailbone to tilt or become misaligned, adding pressure to the bones and joints in and around the coccyx. This can make it painful to sit after time. Sedentary lifestyles also don’t allow for much stretching of the muscles. With an inactive pelvic floor, the muscles in the area may begin to tense and shorten, making you feel uncomfortable or in severe pain while both moving and remaining still.

In a similar vein, obesity increases your risk for coccydynia. The pelvis tends to rotate less in people who are overweight, which puts continual stress on the coccyx for extended periods of time. Additionally, being overweight means there is additional mass adding pressure to the lower half of your body than there normally would be, increasing the likelihood of pain.

Getting active may reverse the problem

Fortunately, coccydynia caused by sedentary living is usually reversible. You may want to visit a chiropractor to discuss the health of your spine and tailbone and to receive recommendations for treatment.

One of the most important things you can do to reduce your coccydynia symptoms is to stay active. You don’t need to go from sitting on the couch all day to running marathons, but make it a point to go on a daily walk or try yoga at home. Additionally, your doctor may recommend you lose weight if it is putting more pressure on your coccyx and causing you pain.

A chiropractor may also be able to provide some pain-relief techniques, both while in the office and for at home. At-home ice and heat therapy may help reduce swelling, minimize pain and improve healing. In-person manipulations of the coccyx, in which the joint of the coccyx is manually adjusted, may help promote additional mobility.

The spinal experts at Advanced Spine and Posture have years of experience assisting Las Vegas, NV patients with their spinal pain problems. Using our specialized, holistic approach to patient care, Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP), we aim for total-body wellness through adjustments to the musculoskeletal system and lifestyle recommendations. Contact us for more information.

Chiropractic BioPhysics, or CBP, is one of the most scientific, researched, and results-oriented corrective care techniques. CBP-trained chiropractors aim to realign the spine back to health, eliminating nerve interference and addressing the source of pain, fatigue, and disease. As with all chiropractic care, CBP is gentle, painless, and non-invasive.