Back pain and headache account for most doctor visits.   Approximately 80 percent of people will suffer from back pain in the course of their lives.  A number of back pain cases may be due to misalignment of the upper cervical segment of the spine.  Acute back pain episodes can sometimes resolve within a couple of  weeks on their own, but they may recur and the back pain may therefore become chronic.
Back pain is considered chronic when it lasts more than three months.

Back pain may be vague or well defined, sharp or dull, burning, stabbing or aching.  It may radiate to the buttocks and down the leg (sciatica).

Back pain may begin suddenly or develop gradually.

Back pain is multifactorial and its origin is often difficult to identify.  It’s frequently due to strains, trauma, stress, overuse injuries to ligaments or joints and disc lesions.  The pain process that is then started is aggravated by an inflammatory response.

Some of the causes we are going to discuss, may be related to a misalignment of the skull, the first cervical vertebra and the cervical segment leading to an aberrant spinal curvature.

• degenerative process due to aging
• intervertebral disc tear
• facet syndrome
• vertebral fractures
• improper body mechanics
• spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal, usually from arthrosis)
• ankylosing  spondylitis
• [*] infections, cancer, cauda equina syndrome.
  Cauda equina syndrome is caused by pressure on the nerves at the bottom of the spinal cord. This syndrome can cause low back pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, numbness in the saddle area (over the genitals, anus and inner  thighs, and weakness/pain in one or both legs (sciatica)
• [*] kidney infection or kidney stones may cause pain in the back just below the rib cage
• [*] abnormal aortic aneurysm is usually felt in the low back and has a deep, boring quality

[*]These causes account  for a very low percentage of back pain cases but are serious conditions  people should seek immediate medical treatment for .

Back pain may also be influenced by depression, being overweight, or fatigue. These conditions can have a negative impact on individual perception of pain and response to treatment.

Pregnancy, stress, poor physical condition, inappropriate posture for the activity being performed, lifting heavy weights, and a poor sleeping position may also contribute to back pain.

As mentioned above, one of the causes of back pain is a misalignment of the upper segment of the spinal column which, in turn, may give rise to an aberrant spinal curvature.

When the first cervical vertebra deviates from its position, the head tilts. As a consequence, the whole spine shifts, trying to counterbalance and support the head’s weight, maintaining the head’s position in the center of the body, perpendicular  to the central point between the feet.

This ongoing effort will create a mechanical stress and strain in the whole body, and may give rise to a variety of symptoms such as headache, neck pain (cervicalgia), vertigo\dizziness, back pain.

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves. The nervous system controls, regulates, and affects all body functions.

There are spaces between each vertebra allowing nerves, which are extensions of the spinal cord, to supply and connect every part of the human body.

When the spinal column is misaligned, the nervous system is unable to function as it should, thereby leading to a variety of symptoms and diseases.

Years of clinical research have shown that many of the problems associated with spinal misalignment and their consequences can be associated with the atlas vertebra, the top cervical bone in the neck.

For over half a century, this technique has been successfully used in North America for the treatment of vertigo and dizziness.

With a  repositioning of the cervical segment of the spine in its proper alignment, the rest of the spinal column comes into better biomechanical positioning and the stress on the spine  will decrease gradually.

This is done after an accurate analysis with mathematical calculation. With the help of a special instrument the cervical spine is corrected in a painless and non-invasive manner.

This unique treatment, specifically tailored for each patient, has major advantages:  avoiding all risks associated with surgery and side effects of medication.

PICTURE A:

stress on facet may lead to facet syndrome prone to disc herniation prone to muscle strain prone to nerve pressure

PICTURE B

No facet pathology  No herniated discs No muscle strain  No nerve pressure

A) Medication

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) like aspirin, ibuprofen,  acetaminophen (Tylenol,….)  are analgesics.
• Pain relievers should be used with caution; long-term use may have side effects such as  upset stomach, kidney and liver problems and excessive bruising.
• muscle relaxants may be habit-forming
• narcotics like opioids are strong pain relievers but since they are quite sedating, long term use may cause addiction
• use of cold and hot compresses
• bed rest for one to two days.  Patients should resume normal activity as soon as             possible. Bed rest longer than two to three days may make the back pain worse

B)  Physical therapy

• Specific exercises recommended by doctors or  physiotherapists may sometimes help recovery.
  Exercise should not provoke pain.

C) Acupuncture

D)  Surgery:  it is rarely unavoidable; it often may backfire and can be avoided in most cases.