Category: Back Pain

Signs That Your Back Pain May Be An Emergency

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Back pain is one of the most common things that we see in our Houston TX office. Most of the time, chiropractic care is the best way to get relief from back pain without the need of medication or expensive diagnostic tests.

While most back pain resolves with rest and home care, certain “red flag” symptoms indicate a potentially life-threatening or disabling condition that requires immediate medical evaluation. 

Immediate Emergency Indicators (Call 911 or visit ER) 

Seek emergency care immediately if you experience back pain accompanied by any of the following: 

• Loss of Bowel or Bladder Control: New inability to control or empty your bladder/bowels can signal Cauda Equina Syndrome, a rare but surgical emergency caused by extreme nerve compression.
• Saddle Anesthesia: Numbness, tingling, or a “pins and needles” sensation in the groin, buttocks, or inner thighs—areas that would touch a saddle.
• Sudden Severe Weakness: Difficulty standing, walking, or moving your legs, or a foot that drags (foot drop).
• Abdominal Pain & Pulsing: Severe, “tearing” pain that radiates to the belly or a pulsating sensation near the navel may indicate an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).
• Fever and Chills: Intense back pain paired with a high fever can be a sign of a spinal infection, such as Vertebral Osteomyelitis.

Symptoms Requiring Urgent Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) or other Physician Evaluation

If your pain is not an immediate emergency but involves the following, schedule a priority visit with your doctor of chiropractic (DC) or other physician:

• Pain at Night: Back pain that is significantly worse when lying down or wakes you from sleep, which can sometimes be linked to inflammation, infection, or tumors.
• Unexplained Weight Loss: Weight loss that occurs without changes in diet or exercise.
• Radiating Pain: Shooting pain that travels down one or both legs, especially past the knee (sciatica).
• History of Cancer: New back pain in individuals with a current or past cancer diagnosis.
• Traumatic Injury: Pain that begins immediately after a high-impact event like a car accident, a fall from a significant height, or a sports-related collision.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Does Weather Affect Back Pain?

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: As the rare cold weather came to the Houston, TX area this week, patients asked me if the weather was making their back pain worse. I get this same question when we get our more common rain storms.

Yes, many people with back pain, especially chronic conditions, report that weather changes affect their symptoms, with cold, damp, or humid conditions often worsening pain due to muscle stiffness, nerve irritation from barometric pressure shifts, or reduced activity, though some studies show no direct link, suggesting behavioral factors or heightened sensitivity play a role.

How Weather Can Worsen Back Pain:

• Cold Temperatures: Can cause muscles to tense and stiffen, reducing flexibility and increasing pain, while also constricting blood vessels and potentially heightening pain sensitivity.
• Barometric Pressure Changes: Drops in pressure (before storms) might cause tissues to expand, putting pressure on nerves or inflamed areas, though evidence is mixed
• Humidity & Dampness: High humidity might increase joint stiffness and inflammation, making joints feel heavier and more painful.
• Extreme Heat: Can lead to muscle tension as the body tries to regulate temperature, plus dehydration and fatigue, which lowers pain tolerance.
• Reduced Activity: Cold or bad weather often leads to less movement, causing stiffness and weaker supporting muscles, which strains the back.

What You Can Do:

• Stay Active: Gentle movement and stretching improve flexibility, even in cold weather.
• Stay Warm: Dress in layers and use heating pads or warm baths to relax muscles.
• Stay Hydrated: Keeps spinal discs and muscles elastic, especially important in heat.
• Maintain Good Posture & Weight: Reduces strain on your spine.
• Listen to Your Body: Adapt activities and manage symptoms as seasons change. 

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Back Pain Keeping You Up At Night?

Clear Lake City Chiropractor Comments: Trouble sleeping is very bothersome. When it is due to back pain, it can affect all aspects of your life. 

When patients come into our Houston, Texas office with back pain after not being able to get the proper rest, it can be worrisome. They are worried that it is something serious and hopeful that it requires a simple treatment. What I have found in my 36 years as a Doctor of Chiropractic is that it is usually somewhere in the middle.

Here’s a breakdown of potential causes and what to do:

Common Causes of Nighttime Back Pain:

• Poor Sleep Posture:

Sleeping in a position that doesn’t support your spine (e.g., on your stomach or with an overly arched back) can strain your back muscles and joints. 

• Muscle Spasms:

Sudden, involuntary contractions of back muscles can cause sharp, painful spasms that are particularly noticeable at night. 

• Herniated or Bulging Discs:

When the soft tissue in your spinal discs protrudes or bulges, it can compress nerves and cause pain, especially when lying down. 

• Spinal Stenosis:

Narrowing of the spinal canal can put pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, leading to pain and numbness. 

• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction:

Problems with the joint connecting your spine to your pelvis can cause pain that radiates to the lower back and hips. 

• Facet Joint Dysfunction:

Problems with the small joints in the spine can cause pain and stiffness. 

• Arthritis:

Conditions like osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis can cause chronic back pain, which may be worse at night. 

• Sciatica:

Inflammation or compression of the sciatic nerve can cause pain that travels down the leg, often worsening at night. 

• Spinal Tumors:

While less common, spinal tumors can cause persistent, aching pain that is often worse at night. 

• Spinal Infections:

Infections of the spine, like osteomyelitis, can cause severe back pain and fever. 

• Compression Fractures:

Fractures of the vertebrae can cause pain and instability, especially when lying down. 

• Other Medical Conditions:

Kidney stones, pregnancy, endometriosis, and certain cancers can also cause back pain. 

When to Seek Chiropractic Advice:

• Severe or persistent pain: If your back pain is intense or doesn’t improve with self-care measures, seek chiropractic attention. 
• Pain that wakes you up at night: Nighttime back pain can be a sign of a serious underlying condition. 
• Numbness or weakness in your legs or feet: This could indicate nerve compression. 
• Fever or chills: These could be signs of a spinal infection. 
• Pain that is not relieved by rest or over-the-counter pain relievers: This could indicate a more serious problem.

Tips for Managing Nighttime Back Pain:

• Optimize your sleep position: Experiment with different pillows and mattresses to find what supports your spine best. 
• Use heat or cold: Applying heat or cold packs to your back can help relieve muscle spasms and pain. 
• Gentle stretching: Try some gentle back stretches before bed to loosen up your muscles. Check out our video – Lower Back Stretches
• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce pain and inflammation. 
• Consult with a healthcare professional: If your back pain is severe or persistent, seek professional advice to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. 

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

How To Reduce Your Back Pain For Free

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: Some of the best things in life are free. Since most people will experience back pain at some point in their life, here are some ways to reduce your back pain at no cost.

Try to stay active. Regular activity will aid in keeping your spine healthy and minimizing your back pain. You do not need to go to the gym every day, but you should find time to do 20 minutes of exercise of some type on most days. It can be simple things such as walking, doing simple body weight exercises, or stretching. If you do a little exercise every day, then when you need to do more activity, like cleaning up after a hurricane, carrying luggage through an airport, or playing sports with your friends, you will not be as sore.

Work at practicing good posture. Be mindful of how you are sitting, standing, or walking. Try not to slouch. Do not spend time looking down at your phone. Try to keep your back straight, with your shoulders back, and your feet flat on the floor. 

Lift correctly. No matter how light you think an object is, use the correct mechanics to lift. Make sure that the object is in front of you if possible. Bend at the knees and not just at the waist. Keep the object close to your body. Finally, try not to bend and twist at the same time.

Stretch on a daily basis. Most areas of your body can be stretched appropriately in 1-2 minutes. Remember that you do not have to stretch every area of your body at the same time. Find little windows of time to stretch and it will not be overwhelming. If you need some good stretches, you can find some great videos here.

Finally, stay hydrated. This can be hard during our summers in Houston, TX, but this plays a major role in helping to maintain a healthy spine with well hydrated discs. Most people will need between a half to a whole gallon of water a day. Do not wait until you are thirsty, it is too late by then.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

How To Avoid Back Pain While Traveling This Holiday Season

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: During the holiday season, there is a good chance that you will be traveling either by land or air. By taking the correct steps, you can help to prevent or minimize your back pain. The goal is to arrive ready to have a good time and enjoy the people that mean the most to you.

If you need to drive a long way to reach your holiday destination, you know that spending hours behind the wheel will take a toll on your back muscles. To help avoid feeling achy and sore, practice good driving posture. Do this by applying the same principles that are used in workplace ergonomics. Adjust your seat and steering wheel so that your spine is in a neutral position, your hips are supported in the seat, your elbows have a slight natural bend, and your upper back is supported. In addition, stop every 2-3 hours so that you can stretch and move about. This will also help alleviate stress from driving in heavy traffic.

If your travels include flying, here are a few tips. Use luggage with wheels if possible. If checking luggage, place your heaviest items in your checked bags. If your carryon luggage has 1 strap, wear it across your body. If it has 2 straps, place them over both shoulders. If your flight is over an hour in length, get up and walk to the front or back of the plane to move your legs. Drink water and stay hydrated.

Finally, make an appointment at our Houston, TX office prior to your travels. We can make sure that any little spinal misalignment is corrected so that it does not get worse on your holiday. If all of your holiday cheer causes a problem while you are away, we can also fix it when you return.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Minimizing Back Pain While On Vacation

Houston Chiropractor Comments: Now that school is out, our thoughts turn to summer vacations and traveling. It can be an overnight camp for the kids, a trip to visit family, or a vacation to an entertaining location.

No matter where your travels take you, it means a new routine, a different bed and pillow, and carrying luggage. These things can lead to neck and back pain. 

There are a couple things that you can do to minimize these pains. The first thing to do is to remember to do your stretches daily. Just because you are on vacation does not mean that you can skip your stretches. Remember to be as consistent with your stretches as you are with brushing your teeth. If you are driving, remember to take a break every 2-3 hours and get out of the vehicle and walk around for a minute or two. This will keep you from being in the same position for hours at a time while driving. If possible, take your pillow. Most hotel pillows are too thick. As discussed in a previous blog, your pillow should be as thick as your hand is wide. For most people it is 3-5 inches. Having the correct pillow will help you to achieve a more restful sleep. Finally, make sure to drink enough water. Eating out, drinking alcohol, and being more active can lead to dehydration. This increases your muscle soreness and discomfort. Making sure that you are staying hydrated with plain water will minimize those problems.

If you manage to hurt your neck or back while on vacation, contact your regular chiropractor. They can help you to find a doctor that will treat you with the same types of treatment. Different chiropractors can have very different styles of adjusting and types of therapies.

Take the time to take care of yourself so that you and your family can enjoy your well-deserved vacation.

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!

Are Chiropractors Good For Treating Herniated Discs?

Clear Lake Chiropractor Comments: Herniated discs can occur anywhere in the spine, with the neck (cervical) and low back (lumbar) being the most common. Usually, people will be complaining of pain or weakness either radiating down their arm or leg along with neck or back pain.

Just because you are having pain or weakness going from your neck or back down your arms or legs does not automatically mean that you have a herniated disc. You can have a radiculopathy (pinched nerve) or sciatica from irritation of the nerve due to arthritic degeneration or trauma that does not affect the disc.

Sometimes people have gone to their regular medical doctor, who ordered an MRI that stated that they had a herniated or bulging disc. They assume that since the MRI showed a disc complaint then that must be the cause of their pain. Well, 25% of the population has an asymptomatic herniated disc. The doctor needs to make sure that the herniation is clinically relevant. In other words, is the disc herniation on the same side as the problem and is it at the vertebral level where the symptoms are located.

With all of that said, chiropractors are very good for treating herniated discs, bulging discs, and disc protrusions. The only type of disc injury that chiropractors typically do not get good lasting results from are disc injuries with a sequestered fragment. These injuries usually only get temporary relief and require surgical co-management.

If the cause of your symptoms is a herniated disc, then chiropractors are the best non-surgical option. Most chiropractors will treat the herniated disc with physical modalities, stretches, and exercises, just like a physical therapist (PT). In addition, a chiropractor will include spinal manipulation to take the pressure off the herniated disc. The spinal adjustments will help to decompress the affected area. This combination of therapy and spinal manipulation gives the best lasting benefit. Most patients have relief of their pain in weakness in 4-6 weeks after 8-12 therapy sessions.

In our office, we will comanage the problem with your medical doctor if the pain is too great or if there is too much muscle spasm. 

Dr. Ward Beecher practices at Beecher Chiropractic Clinic at 1001 Pineloch, Ste 700 Houston,     TX 77062. You can schedule an appointment at www.BeecherChiropractic.com or by calling (281) 286-1300. If you have any questions regarding this blog, please comment below!