Low back pain, also known as lumbago or more commonly back pain, is pain that is localized in the lower back. According to research, it is estimated that over 85% of the population may suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9762743/).

Maux de dos et chiropraticien

Understanding low back pain

The first thing to clarify when talking about low back pain is that the term refers to a very broad concept. The term “low back pain” does not help determine the exact cause of back pain since it refers to the location of the pain, which is the lower back region.

Since the lower back is made up of several structures, it is important to find the ones that are at the origin of the lower back pain to be able to propose a follow-up by the chiropractor that will be effective and adapted.

Understanding low back pain
In general, the origin of the lower back pain can be associated with different anatomical structures:
  • Vertebrae (spine, vertebral joints)
  • Intervertebral disc (herniated disc, osteoarthritis in the joints)
  • Pelvis (sacroiliac joints, arthrosis)
  • Hip (osteoarthritis, decreased range of motion of the joint, tendonitis)
  • Muscles (muscle sprain, muscle stiffness, tendonitis, capsulitis)
  • Spinal cord (compression, nerve root damage such as sciatica)
  • Ligaments (ligaments of the pelvic joints, spine, hip joints)

Since your chiropractor has the necessary training to evaluate, diagnose and propose an appropriate follow-up to improve back pain, there is no doubt that he or she will be able to determine which structures are involved and relieve back pain.

Passionate, Dr Valery Bergeron, chiropractor, from Tonika Clinique Chiropratique, will be able to put her patient in confidence in the follow-up of his back pain and thus relieve his pain.

How low back pain develops

The above mentioned anatomical structures can be affected in different ways, which, once again, requires an evaluation by a health professional such as your chiro, trained in chiropractic health and diagnosis.

1. Inflammatory conditions

Inflammatory back pain
Inflammatory conditions are among the causes of low back pain. Inflammation is a natural reaction developed by the body when it needs to protect itself from something that prevents it from functioning optimally or creates pain in the lower back. In the case of back pain, we can think of this:

  • Overuse of the lumbar region at work (stress on the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine or pelvis)
  • Trauma to the lower back (fall, accident)
  • Poor posture resulting in compensation

When it comes to inflammatory conditions, it is believed that the only way to relieve the pain is through medical treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. With advances in chiropractic research, it is now more than reasonable to believe that the chiropractor can be part of the solution by ensuring the proper functioning of the spinal joints, muscular components and the nervous system.

2. Bone conditions such as osteoarthritis/osteoarthritis/OA

Low back pain • Traumatic conditions
Osteoarthritis is a condition that generally develops with aging. However, it can develop early following trauma or misuse of a joint. Osteoarthrosis is another term for the degenerative joint disease osteoarthritis, also called OA.

In a nutshell, osteoarthritis can be described as breakdown of cartilage over time when the area involved is stressed and causes instability to the body. At this point, the way to stabilize the area is to create bone material. In some cases, osteoarthritis can cause pain, while in others it is asymptomatic (painless). It leads to stiffness and a lack of overall joint mobility. Osteoarthritis can affect all joints in the body (neck, back, hands, shoulders, knees and hips), including the lumbar vertebrae.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Also known as osteoarthrosis or degeneration, osteoarthritis is a “deterioration of the articular cartilage and the bone underneath that cartilage”. 

When osteoarthritis or degeneration is present in the lower back, it can target these structures:

• Vertebrae and spinal structures

When vertebrae are affected by osteoarthritis, the newly formed bone can create compression on the nerve roots that emerge from the spinal cord. In such a case, the sciatic nerve can be compressed and give back pain, but also cause pain radiating down the leg. 

In a more advanced form, osteoarthritis is associated with a drying out of the intervertebral disc, which can cause a herniated disc and spinal cord damage. Back pain caused by a herniated disc can vary in intensity, from mild lower back pain to an inability to move. It may even radiate higher up into the back (thoracic) area.

• Pelvis and Sacroiliac Joints

The sacroiliac joints are the link between the base of the spine (sacrum) and the pelvis (iliacus). Like the joints of the spine, they can develop osteoarthritis and then cause low back pain and decreased range of motion.

• Hip

The hip can be targeted by osteoarthritis. In this case, it is called coxarthrosis. If the hip is severely affected, the range of motion of the hip can be considerably reduced, causing hip pain, but also having repercussions elsewhere, such as in the lower back, and causing lower back pain.

3. Traumatic conditions

A wrong movement, a fall or an accident can cause back pain. Trauma is common during physical activity or demanding work. It is easy to understand why trauma causes pain, since a direct blow, a muscle/ligament strain or a muscle contraction (spasm) necessarily leads to a protective response from the body, and this is often the first symptom perceived. This is a good thing, because by being present, it tells us that a problem is present and that we must focus on it to limit the damage. The body is well made, isn’t it?

What will my chiro do if my back hurts?

Having a global vision of health, the chiropractor does not only focus on the pain: he considers his patient as a whole. He does not only want to relieve the pain. He is concerned with optimizing people’s health, allowing natural healing and offering personalized advice to avoid recurrence and improve quality of life.

The chiropractor has a first line role, meaning that he can be consulted without being referred by another health professional. On the other hand, if he deems it appropriate to work in conjunction with a member of another profession, he will collaborate to improve the quality of life of his patient. Although his approach is natural, he assesses his patient’s needs and may refer him to his physician for medical treatment such as the use of anti-inflammatory drugs to help the healing process when necessary.

What will my chiropractor do if I have back pain?
Once the pain phase is under control, your chiropractor may offer some advice:
  • Improved sleeping posture to relieve pain at night
  • Muscle exercises (strengthening/stretching)
  • Physical activities that are less demanding on the lower back (e.g. swimming)
  • Improving work posture
  • General advice on neuromusculoskeletal health

For a consultation with a chiro for your back pain in Montreal and Saint-Lambert, please contact us at:

Inflammatory back pain + Chiropractor in Montreal
  • 615 Boul. René-Lévesque West, Suite 610, Downtown Montreal, H3B 1P5
  • 27 Boulevard Desaulniers, Saint-Lambert, Quebec, J4P 1L7

Dre Valéry Bergeron, chiropractor, D.C.

Chiropractor in downtown Montreal and Saint-Lambert.

I run Tonika Clinique Chiropratique.

I have been practicing chiropractic since 2006.

  • Member of the Ordre des chiropraticiens du Québec (Québec Order of Chiropractors, or OCQ)
  • Member of the OCQ’s Disciplinary Council (2014 to the present)
  • Member of the OCQ’s Professional Liability Insurance Committee (2009-2011)
  • Member of the Association des Chiropraticiens du Québec (Québec Chiropractic Association, or ACQ)
  • Member of the Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA)
  • Volunteer chiropractor for the Les Aigles football team at L’Amitié High School (2006-2010)

Tonika Clinique Chiropratique, the solution for your back pain! Montreal • Saint-Lambert!