A large number of people suffer from low back pain. It can make it difficult to sit for a long period of time. It can also hurt to lie down. As your Knoxville chiropractor will confirm, this makes it difficult to work and participate in other activities.

The lumbar spine is made up of three sections. Below the thoracic vertebrae are five separate lumbar vertebrae. The five below them are fused together. Below those another four are fused. This makes the spine inflexible.

It might be an automobile accident or a sports-related injury that causes the herniation. Twisting of the spine in any way might be the cause. For alleviation of the pain, chiropractic care is preferable to prescription drugs or invasive procedures.

The first step towards pain alleviation is to make an appointment with the chiropractor. You will be thoroughly evaluated by answering a series of questions and having your spine examined. Often an x-ray or ultrasound must be used to confirm the location of the herniation.

When the cause is determined a plan can be made to alleviate it through chiropractic care. A subluxation of the the spine means the bones are not correctly aligned. Gentle manual adjustments to coax them back into the right position may be indicated.

As the spine is repositioned gradually, the pressure on the nerve roots is reduced. Along with a reduction in pressure comes a reduction in pain. You will be scheduled for a series of these manual adjustments.

In addition, mild exercises and massage may be added to your care program. The goal is to increase flexibility, relax tightened muscles adjoining the spinal area and straighten the spine. This will be done gradually to avoid undue stress.

When the pain is reduced sufficiently, you may be ready to return to work. The remaining pain may limit you to working part-time at first. However, the pain management will allow you to conduct a normal routine as much as possible.