ST. LOUIS, May 20, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Many individuals suffering from acute or chronic back pain may experience pain for months or years at a time without ever understanding what has caused or perpetuated their discomfort, according to Dr. David Sciortino of Sciortino Chiropractic. While many of his patients can point to clear-cut incidents such as an auto accident or traumatic personal injury, many others have allowed longstanding postural problems, poor work habits or congenital spinal imbalances to sneak up on them, eventually manifesting as chronic pain. According to Dr. Sciortino, treatment and massage therapy can often help correct the source of the problem and bring relief.
"We talk about 'occupational hazards' such as a habitual backache, headache or stiff neck from long hours of desk work, as unimportant problems; but pain is never something to be ignored -- it's a message from your body telling you that something is wrong," said Dr. Sciortino.
Repetitive motion injuries and poor posture often create back problems in the workplace. "Office workers may type away at their workstations for years without ever considering that the desk, chair or monitor may sit at an awkward angle, forcing them to slouch, stoop, twist or bend unnaturally on a daily basis," explains the chiropractor.
Other work-related injuries may take on a more dramatic form when employees lift a heavy object incorrectly or without the necessary help. Certain industries such as construction or manufacturing put workers at risk of falling from a ladder or high perch. "Any impact that jars the spine can throw the vertebrae out of their normal alignment, "says Dr. Sciortino. "Even if you land on your feet, the compression force conveyed to the spine is still considerable. If your vertebrae slip out of alignment, the discs between them can herniate or bulge out, and this puts pressure on the nerves."
Simply standing for long periods of time can eventually cause back trouble, according to Dr. Sciortino. "Cashiers, medical personnel and others who are on their feet all day can develop pain in the lower back if their posture is wrong or their gait is uneven," he says. Unequal leg length, an off-kilter spinal alignment, stiffness in the muscles, and poorly-fitting shoes with insufficient arch support can all contribute to this chronic discomfort.
Fortunately, diagnosis and treatment can help sufferers with pain management and help a bad back get better. "We use a combination of chiropractic adjustment and massage therapy to correct spinal imbalances, take pressure away from nerves and speed tissue healing," says the chiropractor. "Our patients prefer natural solutions for their pain management needs instead of drugs or surgery."
Sciortino Chiropractic offers diagnosis and treatment of acute or chronic ailments, chiropractic adjustment, massage therapy and other pain management services for people in the St. Louis area.