So one of the most common medical myths about low back pain is that it is self-limiting in nature.  This means that it will most likely go away on its own. The question that I want to answer in this article is whether or not this is true. Before I cite any research or studies on this lets just use some common sense for a minute. If low back pain were a self-limiting problem and it just simply went away on its own then why does our nation have an epidemic of low back pain related problems on its hands?  Even more telling is the fact that low back pain is the second highest cause of disability in the U.S. according to the CDC.  So, these points alone should make it rather clear that the true nature of low back pain is anything but self-limiting.  But why would people believe this in the first place?

Back Pain Problem vs. Back Pain Episode?

 Well, a recent study suggests a pretty good reason as to why this may be the case.  In a study published in Best Practice & Research. Clinical Rheumatology in October of 2013 it is suggested that the idea of back pain being self-limiting is an outdated model and that instead back pain is a multi-episodal type problem lasting for many months and in some cases years. This means that in the short-term, yes, the pain may very well go away. However, this in no way means that the problem is self-limiting.  In essence you may have won the battle with that particular back pain episode by simply letting it "run its course" and "go away", but you are losing the war, because this instance is merely one episode of an entirely bigger problem altogether.

 The Case For Chiropractic

This is precisely why chiropractic care is beneficial at helping not only provide relief for specific episodes of low back pain, but more importantly, chiropractic can provide real, lasting solutions for the underlying problem itself.  So, if you are like many others out there who experience back pain that just "goes away on its own," be aware that any perceived short-term benefits of simply leaving it alone come at a great future cost of long-term problems.  If you are looking for help with you low back pain contact our clinic today for an evaluation to see if we can help you. Contact Align Integrated Medical Clinic to find out what is a chiropractor treatment.