This article is one of a series covering back pain — causes, symptoms, and the treatments we use at Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. For the complete overview, see the full guide:
→ Back Pain Treatment in New York City — The Complete Guide
In our previous New York women and back pain article, we looked at several issues that affect women as opposed to men. They were a wider pelvis, weight (breast size etc), menstruation problems and hormone levels. Each has some kind of effect on the back that can cause pain.
In this article, we will continue and look at other issues that affect women.
The biggest difference and perhaps one of the biggest factors in back pain is pregnancy. While the first trimester perhaps won’t account for much pressure on the back, the second and third trimesters of course would. Naturally, the baby is growing substantially in these periods and this growth causes the body’s natural center of gravity to shift which can create something known as lordosis, which is essentially increasing the back curve.
When pain does occur, general treatment such as rest, support, icing the area and exercises may help reduce the burden. At Back and Body, we can adjust and provide manual therapies to help the pain and provide a more comfortable existence until birth.
Another factor that women have to cope with occurs after menopause. For reasons yet known, after menopause, there tends to be an increased risk of reduced bone density. When bone density decreases, the bones are more susceptible to fractures which can cause pain. Again, manual adjustments can help with this.
Finally, and this is something that can be easily prevented, and that’s high heels. Women who wear high heels very often are even more susceptible to back pain as the heels cause poor posture that applies pressure to the back creating pain. Moreover, studies have also found that frequent wearing of high heels can alter the natural shape of the spine which again puts pressure on and pain results.
While some things can be prevented (such as wearing high heels), others such as menopause cannot. If you are finding discomfort or pain your back, we can help you. We have a wide range of treatment options, from chiropractic to manual therapies to cold laser therapy, massage and even medicine. We are confident that we will be able to help our New York women back pain problems.
If you have any questions, please contact us, we would be happy to help you.
In pain? Want a tune up? Call us today (908) 325 – 3000. We can treat and help you.
Dr Shan Sivendra MD is the founder and medical director of Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. A board-certified medical doctor, certified acupuncturist, and Director of House Physicians at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Dr Sivendra has been practicing in New York since 1995.
He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine) and received the Resident Research Award for three consecutive years.
Dr Sivendra has a background spanning internal medicine, pain management, and conservative spine rehabilitation, and was licensed in both the US and the UK.
At Back and Body Medical, he leads a multidisciplinary team of chiropractors, physical therapists, and acupuncturists dedicated to helping patients recover from pain without surgery or unnecessary medication.
Further Reading: Back Pain