Back Pain

Research shows that 90% of all Americans will experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. Having reached epidemic proportions here in the US, it is one of the main reasons people visit doctors’ offices and one of the most common causes of lost work days.

Finding the source of back pain can be tricky because it can develop slowly and become chronic over time. Back pain can occur after a specific incident, such as a car accident, sports injury, or simply lifting something incorrectly.

Oftentimes, back pain is, in reality, a secondary or referred pain, meaning that its origin is in some other part of the body. Studies reveal that back pain more often than not, has its origin in the spine.

The Spine

The human spine is a complex machine consisting of 24 movable ring-shaped bones called vertebrae, which are connected by 144 joints. Between each vertebra are cushiony discs called intervertebral discs, which act as shock absorbers, provide spinal support, and allow for movement. Ligaments connect bones to one another, creating stability between each vertebrae and tendons connect bone to muscle.

The spinal cord runs straight down the center of the spine connecting the brain to all areas of the body. Under normal circumstances, the brain communicates and controls all organs, tissues, and glands of the body through the spine. Since the spine acts as a super highway, any insult can affect the functioning of the body.

Back Pain Is The Informer

Pain is your body’s way of letting you know that something is wrong. Pain is not your enemy, but your friend. It is the body’s last line of defense. Without this warning system, irreparable damage can occur. Medication can mask these symptoms, but not cure them. In fact, medication can actually do harm. Our goal in this office is to eliminate your pain by identifying and correcting the underlying cause.

The Cause – Vertebral Subluxations

A vertebral subluxation occurs when one or more of the spine’s vertebrae shift out of alignment. The subluxation pinches the nerve which, in turn affects the surrounding soft tissue (muscles, tendons, ligaments and disc). Back pain may occur as a consequence. People describe pain in a variety of ways. Some describe pain as ranging from a dull, achy, tingly, numbing, and throbbing sensation, while others describe it as sharp, burning and, piercing. Pain can be experienced as a tightening, or spasming of muscles that restrict movement. The pain may be localized or radiate to other areas of the back, buttocks, arms, or legs.

Whatever the experience of pain is, research shows that it most often begins with a subluxation. Leaving a subluxation uncorrected can lead to degenerative damage to spinal structures and has been shown to lead to a variety of other health issues.

Ptak Family Chiropractic – Alleviating Your Back Pain, Naturally!

Before Dr. Ptak can help your back heal, the underlying cause must be identified. Once identified, an individualized program of care is established to meet your specific needs. No two people’s health care issues are alike, therefore no two people’s care programs are the same. Dr. Ptak’s nearly 40 years of experience helps him identify and interpret your specific pain symptoms and to determine which areas of your spine are dysfunctional. Damage might be related to the spine’s hardware (bone and joints), or software (muscle, tendon, ligament, or disc).

Dr. Ptak’s clinical skills and diagnostic technology (thermal nerve scans, SEMG, and x-ray), allow him to determine whether your pain results from a disease or condition other than subluxation.

Santa Monica Back Pain Relief

Dr. Jeffrey Ptak, DC, MA of Ptak Chiropractic in Los Angeles, CA, has almost 40 years of experience providing relief to patients suffering from back pain.