THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHRONIC AND ACUTE BACK PAIN

Lower back pain is a relatively common ailment that affects men and women equally, most often between ages 30 and 50. It can happen as a result of aging, a sedentary lifestyle, or an injury. The difference between a chronic and acute condition is duration of the pain. If a condition continues for three months or more, it is generally considered chronic. An acute condition generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks.

Whether acute or chronic, pain can range from relatively tolerable muscle aches to shooting or stabbing pain causing limited motion and trouble standing straight or getting comfortable in any position. An acute condition can become more serious if left untreated. Lower back pain is unusual in children, although it can be caused by, among other things, heavy backpacks. Spinal adjustment—the manipulation of the spine’s vertebrae—has been proven successful in treating lower back pain. Regular treatment by a chiropractor, who will keep your spine and its vertebrae in proper alignment, is one way to avoid the pain that bothers some 31 million Americans.

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Dr James Stapleton D.C