Common Painful Back Injuries and how Chiro Therapy Helps
- Some back pains are caused by injuries that develop from accidents, sudden movements, lifting heavy objects incorrectly, or other trauma at work.
- Injury-related cases need different treatment approaches than pain caused by sitting or standing in awkward positions for long periods.
- No matter what type of back injury you have (pulled muscles, torn ligaments, disc problems, or joint issues), chiro therapy gives you a safe option that doesn’t involve surgery.
In the Philippines, job-related health problems remain a serious issue for workers today. Statistics reveal that back pain and injuries make up nearly 1 in 5 of all reported workplace health cases (19.2%). Neck and shoulder pain follows as the second most common complaint at 5.2%. These numbers show that muscle and bone problems are becoming more widespread among employees.
However, it should be noted that not all back pain cases are caused by ergonomic or posture issues. Some are caused by back injuries that develop from accidents, sudden movements, lifting heavy objects incorrectly, or other trauma at work. These injury-related cases need different treatment approaches than pain caused by sitting or standing in awkward positions for long periods.
The good news is that all is not lost if you’re affected by back pain caused by injuries. That’s because there’s a holistic method in the form of chiro therapy that can help you address pain as well as discomfort and perform your usual activities. It can reduce pain, heal injuries, and support lasting spine health.
Read the rest of this article to learn how chiro can help treat work-related back injuries and why it’s popular nowadays.
What are the most common injuries that cause back pain?
The most common causes of back pain are muscle strains, ligament sprains, herniated or bulging discs, and spinal joint dysfunction. Find out more about them in the succeeding paragraphs.
Muscle strains
Muscle strains (also called pulled muscles) happen when you stretch a muscle too far and it tears. This usually occurs when you suddenly put too much stress on a muscle or use it repeatedly without rest. The damage can be minor, just tiny tears that get better with rest, or serious enough that you need surgery and a structured recovery plan to regain normal movement and prevent the injury from happening again.
Symptoms: Localized aching or sharp pain, muscle tightness, spasms, and reduced range of motion.
Common causes: Sudden heavy lifting, overexertion during physical activity, and using poor body mechanics, especially when lifting or moving awkward loads
Ligament sprains
A ligament sprain happens when the tough tissue connecting your bones gets overstretched or torn. This typically occurs when a joint is suddenly forced into an awkward position like twisting your ankle or landing badly from a jump.
Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, discoloration, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and tenderness.
Common causes: Sudden twisting or pivoting of a joint, landing awkwardly from a jump, or rolling an ankle or knee beyond its normal range of motion during sports or daily activities.
Herniated disc
A herniated disc happens when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disk pushes out through a crack in its tougher outer shell. This can press on nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in your arms or legs, depending on where it occurs in your spine.
Most herniated discs develop slowly over time as the disks naturally wear down with age. They’re most common in the lower back. Your risk goes up if you frequently lift heavy objects, are overweight, have a physically demanding job, smoke, or sit for long periods—like people who drive a lot for work.
Symptoms: low back pain, stumbling when walking, numbness, pins-and-needles sensation
Common causes: improper lifting, traumatic injury, disc degeneration
Spinal joint dysfunction
Spinal joint dysfunction means one or more joints in your spine aren’t moving or sitting the way they should, which causes pain, stiffness, and sometimes nerve problems. This happens when a spinal joint either moves too much (becomes too loose) or doesn’t move enough (gets stuck or stiff). When joints don’t work properly, it throws off how your spine normally functions and puts extra strain on the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and nerves.
Symptoms: localized pain, sharp and burning sensation, and numbness.
Common causes: Trauma, injury, arthritis, repetitive stress, poor biomechanics
How chiro therapy helps address back injuries
Chiro therapy treats back injuries using a comprehensive, non-surgical approach. It works by realigning your muscles and bones, reducing pain and swelling, and helping your body heal naturally. These are achieved through the following:
- Careful joint adjustments
- Exercise and lifestyle guidance
- Collaborative medical care
Careful joint adjustments
Chiropractors use gentle, controlled techniques to help your spine move better without putting too much pressure on joints affected by arthritis. These adjustments focus on specific problem areas (called segments) to restore normal movement while protecting already sensitive or damaged joints from further stress.
Exercise and lifestyle guidance
Your chiropractor will recommend specific exercises and daily habits that support healthier joints and better movement. This might include stretches to maintain flexibility, strengthening exercises to support your spine, posture tips for work and home, and advice on activities that protect your joints while keeping you active.
Collaborative medical care
Chiropractic care works best as part of your overall health plan. Your chiropractor will coordinate with your other healthcare providers, especially when dealing with more serious conditions like advanced spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) or inflammatory diseases. This team approach ensures you get comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of your condition safely and effectively.
Don’t let back pain caused by injuries control your life
No matter what type of back injury you have (pulled muscles, torn ligaments, disc problems, or joint issues), chiro therapy gives you a safe option that doesn’t involve surgery. It can fix what’s actually causing your pain and helps your body heal on its own.
Book an appointment with Posture Perfect Chiropractic today for an assessment and our chiro doctors will create a personalized program for your back pain. Regardless if it’s caused by an injury or otherwise.
Also, join us for our Patient Thanksgiving Wellness event on January 18 at Posture Perfect Chiropractic Clark Clinic to learn more about maintaining spine health and preventing future injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common back injuries that cause pain?
The most common back injuries include muscle strains, ligament sprains, herniated discs, and spinal joint dysfunction. These injuries can result from sudden movements, heavy lifting, or accidents at work. Each type affects spinal health differently and may require professional care from a chiropractor or other healthcare specialist.
Is chiropractic care safe for work-related back injuries?
Yes. Chiropractic care is a safe, non-invasive treatment that can help relieve pain from job-related injuries like strains, sprains, or disc problems. Licensed chiropractors assess your condition first to ensure adjustments are appropriate and may coordinate with your doctor for a holistic treatment plan.
What makes chiropractic therapy different from other back pain treatments?
Unlike treatments that focus only on symptoms, chiropractic care targets the root cause—misalignment and dysfunctional spinal movement. This approach balances structure and function, promoting long-term healing and better quality of life without relying on painkillers or invasive procedures.
