No type of chronic pain is more common than back pain, especially among older Americans. In fact, it’s so widespread, it is the second most common reason people visit their primary care doctor. Many people just learn to live with it, but simply toughing it out can have real consequences on your well-being. Not just physically, either. Chronic back aches can impact all aspects of a person’s life. Here's how.

Physically

The physical toll of chronic back pain is clear. This condition can interrupt sleep cycles, resulting in a loss of energy and alertness. Exercise routines can suffer, too, as patients begin associating physical activity with pain. Many patients report that household tasks go neglected and daily routines become interrupted as a result of the constant, nagging aches.

This cycle can worsen, with a lack of activity leading to overall sluggishness and potentially other ailments. As patients reach this point, the cost of their condition spreads beyond just the physical.

Emotionally

Persistent discomfort is a problem that runs much deeper than the surface level. Patients suffering from back pain report that they are more irritable, more prone to depression, and were overall more frustrated with their life. Being unable to do the things they once did can result in a person becoming quicker to anger and more easily frustrated.

These feelings can compound, sending some patients on a spiral of depression. When someone reaches this point, their suffering can often begin affecting others, too.

Socially

Patients suffering from constant back discomfort will often find that they distance themselves from others because engaging in social activities can be painful and frustrating. Hobbies that once brought joy begin to seem unobtainable. Being with loved ones at a social function can be physically painful, so patients begin avoiding these functions altogether.

Combined with the psychological toll of chronic pain, these experiences can isolate a person until they all but cease living an active life.

All of this is why it’s important to seek relief from persistent back aches. Chiropractic adjustments and holistic treatments may be just one piece in the larger puzzle of how to reclaim your life from pain.

If you are suffering from chronic back pain, contact the experienced chiropractors at Smith Chiropractic Clinic in Concord, NC. Since 1978, Dr. Andy Smith has been committed to long-term pain relief and injury prevention. He and his team can resolve back pain, neck pain, and other ailments through a combination of functional medicine and holistic treatment. Learn more on their website, and call (704) 788-3126 to schedule an appointment.