Back pain, if unmanaged, can be a burden to your daily life. It can disrupt your work, hobbies, social commitments and even your sleep. While it is common, the way you experience pain and how it impacts your life is what makes your pain unique, and you shouldn't ignore it. 

Your back pain comes and goes, bothering you when you least expect it. It can even be chronic, lasting for longer than three months. If you're in Knoxville and struggling with back pain, you're not alone. Our expert chiropractors are here to help you find relief

Here at Homberg Chiropractic in Knoxville, we understand how back pain can interfere with daily life. Our chiropractors are dedicated to locating the source of your back pain and providing effective nonsurgical solutions to manage and treat it.

Types of back pain

Diagnosing the causes of back pain and treatment depends on the area of your back from which the pain arises. Here are the main areas of your back where you may experience pain sensations: 

Lower back pain

Lower back pain is a common condition that affects the lumbar region of your spine or back. If you’re experiencing lower back pain, you’ll likely feel it below your ribs and around your buttocks. 

Symptoms of lower back pain

Symptoms of lower back pain can vary due to the sensation and intensity, such as: 

• Dull aching pain

• Sharp or stinging pain 

• Burning or radiating pain in your lower back 

Causes of lower back pain

While pain can range from mild to severe, the leading causes often arise from a muscle or tendon-related injury. Lifestyle factors, including age, obesity, inactivity, stress, and sleeping habits, may also contribute to lower back pain. The other causes of lower back problems can be:

• Muscle strain or sprains: Often from heavy lifting objects, sudden or repetitive movements.

• Osteoarthritis: Inflammation and wear and tear increase joint friction, causing pain. 

• Degenerative disc disease: A condition that occurs as you age, causing spinal discs to wear down.

• Cancer of the spine: Tumors that develop around the spinal column or spinal cord. 

• Herniated discs: When material inside the disc pushes out and presses on surrounding nerves, leading to pain in the lower back.

• Spinal stenosis: Narrowing the spinal canal can compress the nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness in the lower back and legs.

• Sciatica: Pain radiating along the sciatica nerve in one or both legs.

• Compression fractures: Weakened bones can cause acute lower back pain. 

• Ankylosing Spondylitis: An inflammatory disease that affects the spine, leading to chronic pain and stiffness. 

Middle and upper back pain 

Middle back pain is often referred to as pain coming from the thoracic spine. It often stems between the base of your rib cage and the base of your neck. Damage or irritation to the vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments can often be the main cause.

Symptoms of middle back and upper pain

Middle and upper back pain symptoms can appear as follows: 

• Muscle aches and stiffness

• Tightness in the muscles

• Limited range of motion

• Stabbing or sharp pain in the middle back

• Numbness or tingling in extreme cases 

Causes of middle and upper back pain

Some of the common causes of middle and upper back pain are:

• Degenerative disc disease: An age-related condition that causes spinal discs to wear away, creating pain in your middle and upper back. 

• Osteoporosis: A bone disease that affects bone mineral density and mass, causing bone structure and quality to change.

• Herniated discs: When your intervertebral disc between two spinal vertebrae becomes injured due to strain or trauma. 

• Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas, creating upper abdominal pain spreading to the back. 

• Kidney stones: When solid crystals or stones develop in your urinary tract, causing a blockage and pain. 

• Sprain or strain: Strain or pain from repetitive movements, poor posture, or heavy lifting.

• Osteoarthritis: A degenerative form of arthritis breaking down your cartilage and bone, creating pain. 

• Fibromyalgia: A long-term condition that causes chronic pain across the body and fatigue. 

• Scoliosis: This is a condition where your spine has an irregular curve, causing back pain.

Back pain treatment and relief in Knoxville 

Sometimes, back pain can resolve on its own. However, you may not be able to alleviate symptoms in some situations, and they may also reappear at different times in your life. If you are suffering from chronic back pain lasting longer than three months or the pain is impacting your daily life, then you may need noninvasive treatment. 

At Homberg Chiropractic, we sit down with you in a consultation to understand your pain and concerns and learn how it’s impacting your life. During this consultation, we will work together to create a tailored treatment plan to make your back pain manageable and if possible, eradicated with one or several of the following: 

Spinal manipulation therapy

This is the most common treatment, a hands-on method involving moving, messaging, and applying pressure to your spine and joints. Spinal manipulation therapy is used to identify and target the root cause of your pain, improve alignment, reduce nerve irritation, and help restore range of motion. It’s used for lower, middle, and upper back pain to help treat various conditions. 

Joint mobilization 

Another technique you may undergo is joint mobilization. Here, one of our chiropractors will use a hands-on approach, slowly applying controlled movements to stretch your joints, manually or mechanically. They’ll use gentle techniques to encourage the production of a lubricating liquid known as synovial fluid, which helps reduce stiffness, increase flexibility, and improve joint range of motion. 

Trigger Point therapy 

Trigger Point therapy is a specialized, noninvasive technique. In this technique, your chiropractor will stretch your muscle and then apply pressure to the knots or tightness around your muscles surrounding the spine to relieve tension and pain and encourage healing. It helps remove inflammation, pain, and tightness. 

Spinal decompression

A therapy involving stretching your spine to relieve pressure from your spinal discs and nerves. This therapy helps reduce pain that stems from herniated discs or sciatica. 

Exercise Rehabilitation 

We will prescribe specific exercises based on your condition to strengthen back muscles, improve flexibility, reduce pain, and improve movement. We’ll create a plan for you to do them at home and follow up with regular consultations. 

Massage Therapy 

Depending on your pain symptoms, we may suggest massage therapy targeting the muscles and soft tissues in the spine. This will help alleviate tension, reduce pain, encourage blood circulation, and help you relax. 

Our chiropractors in Knoxville understand how back pain can impact your daily life. Whether you’re experiencing acute or chronic back pain, they will work with you to understand your symptoms, provide tailored treatment plans, and suggest lifestyle modifications to address your needs and have a healthier spine.

Book a consultation with us, and take the first steps towards managing and alleviating your back pain today.