Would you like to switch to the accessible version of this site?

Go to accessible site Close modal window

Don't need the accessible version of this site?

Hide the accessibility button Close modal window
Accessibility View Close toolbar
Paradigm Chiropractic and Performance LLC

650 Pennsylvania Avenue SE,Suite 470

Washington, DC 20003 US

(202) 546-0981

Open mobile navigation
  • Home
    • IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
    • What to Expect
      • Your First Visit
      • Phase 1: Relief Care
      • Phase 2: Corrective Care
      • Phase 3: Wellness Care
    • Virtual Office Tour
    • Health Resources
    • Payment Options
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Office
    • Services
    • Our Wellness Partners
    • INSURANCES ACCEPTED
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us
  • Personal Injury/ Auto Accidents
  • DOT Physical and Certifications
  • Office Hours
  • Community Content
    • We May Help You With
      • Auto Accident Injuries
      • Back and Shoulder Pain
      • Body Pain
      • Chronic Disease Relief
      • Conditions Affecting Women
      • Headaches
      • Herniated Discs
      • Improved Health
      • Pediatric Ailments
      • Repetitive Use Injuries
      • Respiratory Function
    • About Chiropractic Care
      • What is Chiropractic
      • How Does it Work
      • Who is Chiropractic For
      • Vertebral Subluxation
      • Wellness Resources
    • Chiropractic Techniques
    • Chiropractic Therapies
    • Life is Motion
    • Healthy Thinking
      • Get Positive
      • Relaxation Techniques
    • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
      • Treat Yourself Well
      • Treat Others Well
      • Eat Well
    • Wellness Essentials
      • At Home
      • At Work
      • Exercise
      • Nutrition
      • What You Wear
    • Wellness Perspectives
      • Social
      • Physical
      • Spiritual
      • Mental
    • Wellness4Kids
    • Newsletter Library
      • Weight Loss
      • Staying Motivated
      • Staying Young
      • Life-Work Balance
      • Stress & Anxiety
      • Mind-Body Connection
      • Wellness
      • Pregnancy & Parenting
      • Back, Body & Joint Pain
      • Senior Health
      • Healthy Tips
      • Exercise & Fitness
      • Chronic Conditions
      • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
      • Injury Rehab & Prevention
      • Breaking Bad Habits
      • Kid's Health
      • Illness Prevention
  • Home >
  • Articles >
  • Newsletter Library >
  • Back, Body & Joint Pain >
  • Back Pain - Am I At Risk?

Back Pain - Am I At Risk?

  • Created in Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain

Are there risk factors for back pain? And, if there are, what can I do to keep myself healthy and well? Your chiropractor can help answer these questions and more.

One primary risk factor relates to exercise. Everyone has heard, "if you don't use it, you lose it". If you're not exercising regularly, your back muscles are deconditioned and much more susceptible to injury - the strains and sprains we're accustomed to calling "back pain".

Muscles get stronger when they're required to do work. Also exercise helps "train" the soft tissues around a joint - the ligaments and tendons - these supporting structures "learn" how to withstand mechanical stresses and loads without becoming injured. Basically, when you exercise - when you do any kind of exercise - your body gets "smarter" and you're less likely to get those annoying back problems.1

A related risk factor is weak abdominal muscles. When you were a kid, at some point one of your gym teachers probably told you to "suck in your stomach". Actually, it turns out that was pretty good advice. Your abdominal muscles support the muscles of your lower back. If your abdominals are weak or if you're not using them - letting them hang out and droop instead of keeping them activated - your body weight has to be held up by the muscles of your lower back. They're not designed to do that - they're designed to move your spine around. And eventually, these lower back muscles will give way under the excess strain. The result is a very painful lower back injury.

There are many easy-to-do exercises for your abdominal muscles. The key is to actually do them - and do them after you're finished doing the rest of whatever exercises you've scheduled for that day. How often? Three times a week is plenty. Abdominal routines are quick - no more than 10 minutes. And, remember to use your abdominal muscles throughout the day. Imagine your abdominals are being pulled in and lifted up. This is not a "tightening" - your thought should be "activate". Your body will know what to do, once you've started adding consistent abdominal training to your exercise routine.

Risk factors for back pain may also be found in your personal and family medical history.2,3 During your initial visit your chiropractor will ask you about accidents and surgeries you've experienced, and discuss any important elements in your family history. For example, surgery to remove an inflamed galllbladder or appendix or to repair a hernia may result in weakened abdominal muscles. A motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height may have caused injuries that healed with soft tissue scarring.

Learning about potential risk factors and taking appropriate action will help ensure a stronger, more flexible, and healthier lower back.

1Jones MA, et al. Recurrent non-specific low-back pain in adolescents: the role of exercise. Ergonomics 50(10):1680-1688, 2007
2Cherniack M, et al. Clinical and psychological correlates of lumbar motion abnormalities in low back disorders. Spine J 1)4):290-298, 2001
3Plouvier S, et al. Biomechanical strains and low back disorders. Occup Environ Med 2007 (in press)

  • We May Help You With
    • Auto Accident Injuries
    • Back and Shoulder Pain
    • Body Pain
    • Chronic Disease Relief
    • Conditions Affecting Women
    • Headaches
    • Herniated Discs
    • Improved Health
    • Pediatric Ailments
    • Repetitive Use Injuries
    • Respiratory Function
  • About Chiropractic Care
    • What is Chiropractic
    • How Does it Work
    • Who is Chiropractic For
    • Vertebral Subluxation
    • Wellness Resources
  • Chiropractic Techniques
  • Chiropractic Therapies
  • Life is Motion
  • Healthy Thinking
    • Get Positive
    • Relaxation Techniques
  • Wellness Lifestyle Tips
    • Treat Yourself Well
    • Treat Others Well
    • Eat Well
  • Wellness Essentials
    • At Home
    • At Work
    • Exercise
    • Nutrition
    • What You Wear
  • Wellness Perspectives
    • Social
    • Physical
    • Spiritual
    • Mental
  • Wellness4Kids
  • Newsletter Library
    • Weight Loss
    • Staying Motivated
    • Staying Young
    • Life-Work Balance
    • Stress & Anxiety
    • Mind-Body Connection
    • Wellness
    • Pregnancy & Parenting
    • Back, Body & Joint Pain
    • Senior Health
    • Healthy Tips
    • Exercise & Fitness
    • Chronic Conditions
    • Nutrition & Healthy Eating
    • Injury Rehab & Prevention
    • Breaking Bad Habits
    • Kid's Health
    • Illness Prevention

Sign-up using the form or call us at (202) 546-0981 to make your appointment today!

Featured Services

Click to Find Out More

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

8:00 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Closed

Wednesday:

8:00 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Thursday:

Closed

12:00 pm-5:00 pm

Friday:

8:00 am-2:00 pm

Closed

Saturday:

1st Saturdays

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "I have been seeing Dr. Jenkins for acute and chronic symptoms for the past two months. He is absolutely amazing. I saw many doctors before him and he is the first and only one to make a huge difference in my overall wellbeing. He is hands-down the best chiropractor I've ever seen. He is truly gifted and his expertise is unparalleled. He gives you his complete attention and dedication and is compassionate. I feel so blessed to have found him."
    S.G. Washington, DC

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

  • How To Ease Into Exercise In The New Year With New Workout Plans

    Are you planning to exercise more in 2020? Your chiropractor can help you avoid injuries that may prevent you from reaching your goals. ...

    Read More
  • Put Your Health First In The New Year

    Looking for a natural way to improve your health in the new year? Chiropractic care may offer a simple solution. ...

    Read More
  • Does Collagen Help With Joint Pain?

    Have you been wondering if collagen really works for joint pain? ...

    Read More
  • Staying Healthy as a Caregiver

    Maintaining good health is crucial if you're a caregiver. These tips can help you avoid illness and injuries. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic and Gut Health

    Medication isn't the only solution if you suffer from digestive system complications. Chiropractic treatment can help treat your symptoms. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic and Male Infertility

    Do you struggle with male infertility? Chiropractic treatment offers an all-natural solution. ...

    Read More
  • Can Meditation Improve Your Health?

    Would you like to improve your health naturally? Try to include meditation in your daily routine. ...

    Read More
  • Chiropractic Treatment for Spondylosis

    Are you tired of living with painful spondylosis symptoms? Chiropractic treatment may help ease your neck and back pain. ...

    Read More
  • How to Help Improve Your Children's Quality of Sleep

    Does your child toss and turn at night? These suggestions may improve his or her sleep quality. ...

    Read More
  • The 3 Most Common Chiropractic Questions Answered

    Looking for a natural way to treat pain? Chiropractic care offers an effective solution. ...

    Read More

Newsletter Sign Up

Follow Us

  • Copyright © 2019 MH Sub I, LLC dba iMatrix.
  • Admin Log In
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Health Disclaimer
  • Cookie Policy
  • Site Map