• Home
• Contact Us
• Help & Support
• Track Your Order
• Buying in Quantity?
• Checkout

 

[Print View]

Low Back Pain

I. Description

II. Causes

III. Symptoms

IV. Diagnosis

V. Treatment

Description The majority of people will have at least one low back problem at some point in their lives. As many as eight out of ten Americans are thought to have suffered or be currently suffering from some degree of low back pain. Back pain is so common in fact that it is actually the second leading cause of physician visits in the USA behind the flu.

Though pain and discomfort can happen anywhere in your back, the most commonly affected area is the low back area. This is because the low back is such an important part of your core and supports most of your body's weight. Low back pain is unique as it can literally happen anytime, anywhere. Motions and movements that have been performed for years can gradually wear on the muscles, discs and joints in the low back area. As a result one wrong move, a sudden twist or lifting motion for example, can result in instantly debilitating pain shooting through the body.  

It is estimated that Americans spend somewhere around $50 million each year fighting back pain. When low back pain does hit everything is affected. Just travelling to work, undertaking routine daily tasks, or enjoying recreation time can become impossible as it hurts to do anything other than sit still, often in awkward and unusual positions. Low Back Pain is so common that it is the most common cause of job related disability and is the leading contributor to missed work.

There are two different types of Low Back Pain, acute or short term back pain and chronic back pain. Acute back pain is mechanical in nature, caused by trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis, and usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. This is by far the most common form of low back pain and can range in severity from a short stabbing pain to a total inability to stand straight. Chronic low back pain is back pain which is measured by duration. Any back pain which lasts on a constant basis for more than three months is considered chronic in nature. This version of back pain is often progressive in nature and its cause can be extremely hard to determine.




Causes In most cases low back pain is caused by a combination of overuse, muscle strain, and injury to the discs, ligaments, and muscles which support the spine. Due to the interconnected nature of the muscle groups in the low back, an injury to one muscle can lead to moving with a different gait, resulting in additional muscle strains. Causes include:

• Overuse of the muscles, ligaments, and joints
• Osteoarthritis, a joint degradation condition which typically develops with age
• A herniated disc, often caused by repeated motion such as sport activity or improper lifting
• Spondylolysis and spondylolosthesis, a sliding vertebra defect brought on by activity
• Vertebrae fractures
• Spinal stenosis and deformities

Symptoms The symptoms of Low Back Pain are varied and can appear suddenly without any warning. One simple movement, such as bending to pick up a ball, can lead to a shooting, tingling, or aching pain that can be crippling in its intensity. Symptoms include:

• Strong pain in the low back
• Pain radiating down the front, side, or back of the leg
• Pain may become more intense with activity
• Back pain may become worse at night or with prolonged sitting
• Numbness or weakness in the low back or leg

Diagnosis A diagnosis of Low Back Pain can usually be made from a detailed description of the triggers for the pain. This can include information on when the pain began, where the pain occurs, and what makes the pain better. Sometimes, in more extreme and severe cases, a physical exam can also be conducted for a more specific diagnosis. This could include:

• Lumbar spine x-rays
• CT Scans
• MRI Scans
• Bone density tests

Treatment of Low Back Pain will vary by the severity of the symptoms. Most cases of Low Back Pain can be treated easily at home and will clear up in as little as a few weeks. More severe cases however may eventually require a battery of tests and, potentially, professional care to treat. Both home and professional treatment plans may involve drugs, rest, specific exercises, physical therapy, and thermal or cold therapies to reduce pain. These methods can all improve stability and prevent further injury.

Home Remedies For Knee Osteoarthritis:

• Reduce normal physical activity and exercise for the first few days only, and avoid activities which involve heavy lifting and twisting after that.
  
• Back Braces In some cases wearing a good, supportive back brace can help reduce overall back pain by managing and aligning your posture and body weight.
  
• Apply an Ice Pack in intervals for the first 48-72 hours. Applying ice will reduce blow flow to the area and reduces initial swelling of the low back area
• Apply a Heat Pack after the first 72 hours. The heat sooths the inflammation after the initial swelling and may help to reduce pain as the Low Back Pain dissipates
• Use over the counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
  

Lifestyle changes that incorporate weight loss if necessary, and physical activity can make a big impact on the success of treatments for Low Back Pain. When both pain free and recovered, alternative treatments plans such as yoga and, eventually, calisthenics can help strengthen the low back area while also increasing flexibility and range of motion. These types of exercises should only be undertaken when no back pain is present.



Professional Care for Low back Pain

Physical Therapy has many benefits for lower back pain. A physical therapist will initially use methods which reduce your pain before teaching you stretching techniques and exercises to prevent the pain for recurring over time.

Epidural  injections can be used to help with low back pain after most other treatment avenues have been exhausted. 

Surgery could be needed in extreme cases where the low back pain is caused more by defects in the spine than in the surrounding muscle groups

Chiropractic care may be beneficial in rehabilitating the low back area which is causing the pain

Related Conditions

• Lordosis
• Sciatica
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Herniated Disc