BONT CHIROPRACTIC A STEP TO BETTER HEALTH ASK THE DOCTOR My lower back hurts terrible when I extend backwards. What casues this and can you fix it? Jack in Luck Dear Jack, I understand your concern. That situation can be very painful. When your back hurts as you extend backwards many times it is from the facet joints of the lumbar spine rubbing and pushing against each other. We call this a lumbar facet syndrome. The cause of the facet syndrome is usually from the L5 lumbar vertebrae and Sacrum joint disc space is wedging. Normally, the disc is fairly flat across allowing for smooth sailing as far as your back is concerned. However, when that space is pinching in the rear and more open in the front (like a triangle instead of a retangle) the end result is a pinching in the posterior portion of the disc space. That poor pinch position will cause the facets of the posterior portion of the vertebrae to hit each other and the result is pain. Chiropractic adjustments and specific exercises can manage this condition very well. If left too long the result can be more permanent damage to the disc and more chronic lower back conditions. Submit your questions to: ask@bontchiropractic.net 144 N. ADAMS STREET ST. CROIX FALLS, WI 715-483-3913 DEPENDABLE PROFESSIONAL AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE BONT CHIROPRACTIC A STEP TO BETTER HEALTH ASK THE DOCTOR My lower back hurts terrible when I extend backwards . What casues this and can you fix it ? Jack in Luck Dear Jack , I understand your concern . That situation can be very painful . When your back hurts as you extend backwards many times it is from the facet joints of the lumbar spine rubbing and pushing against each other . We call this a lumbar facet syndrome . The cause of the facet syndrome is usually from the L5 lumbar vertebrae and Sacrum joint disc space is wedging . Normally , the disc is fairly flat across allowing for smooth sailing as far as your back is concerned . However , when that space is pinching in the rear and more open in the front ( like a triangle instead of a retangle ) the end result is a pinching in the posterior portion of the disc space . That poor pinch position will cause the facets of the posterior portion of the vertebrae to hit each other and the result is pain . Chiropractic adjustments and specific exercises can manage this condition very well . If left too long the result can be more permanent damage to the disc and more chronic lower back conditions . Submit your questions to : ask@bontchiropractic.net 144 N. ADAMS STREET ST . CROIX FALLS , WI 715-483-3913 DEPENDABLE PROFESSIONAL AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE