Low Back Pain- Some Tips 4 U

BACK PAIN

  

Back pain is ranked second to headaches as the most frequent location of pain. Four out of five adults will experience at least one bout of back pain at some time in their lives. The most common site for pain is the lower back because it bears the most weight and stress from the body.

A number of factors contribute to lower back pain, including poor muscle tone, excess weight - especially around the middle - and improper or heavy lifting. Poor posture and sitting or standing in one position a long time puts extra stress on your back.

 

Causes—

Muscle strains: Strained muscles, tendons or ligaments or inflamed joints may cause pain along your spine.

Osteoarthritis:This degenerative joint condition affects nearly everyone past the age of 60 or overloading, injury and aging can slowly deteriorate cartilage, the protective tissue that covers the surface of the joints of your vertebrae.

Osteoporosis: One in three women older than 50 is affected by painful vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis, a condition that causes a gradual weakening of bones.

Pain that interferes with sleep. Weakness or numbness in one or both legs or groin area- can mean nerve compression by the back. Problems with bladder or bowel control can also occur due to compression. Typically there is a continuous ache in the back that is not relieved by change of position, it is worse in the morning. The individual is unable to perform normal daily chores or housework. Bending to pick up something from the floor can be a painful task.

 

Diagnosis –

Physical examination: Your doctor examines your back to determine where the pain is, what degree of movement you have without pain and whether you have muscle spasms. 

X-ray: These images show the alignment of your bones, whether you have degenerative joint disease and whether you have a tumor

 

Bone scan: You'll receive an injection of a radioactive substance called as tracer into a vein. Using a special camera, your doctor may be able to detect bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan. These scans can generate images that may reveal herniated disks of the spine or problems with bones, muscles, cartilage.ligaments .tendons and blood vessels.

 

Treatment –

Medically Prescribed drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and muscle relaxants may relieve mild-to-moderate back pain.

Physical therapy:
This may include applications of heat or cold, or gentle massage performed by a physical therapist. Once the pain subsides, your therapist can design an exercise program to improve your flexibility, strengthen your back and abdominal muscles and improve your  posture

Electrical Stimulation:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may help stop pain by blocking nerve signals from reaching your brain. A physical therapist places electrodes on your skin near the area of your pain. TENS may relieve pain in your leg due to inflammation or compression of nerves in your back.

 

Precautions -

Exercise. Regular aerobic activities that don't strain or jolt your back can increase strength and endurance in the muscles of lower back, allowing your muscles to function better. These aerobic exercises may include walking, swimming or biking. When standing, maintain a neutral pelvic position.

 

Dos and Don'ts -

If you must stand for long periods of time, alternate placing your feet on a low footstool to take some of the load off your lower back. When sitting, choose a seat with good lower back support or place a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its normal curve. Keep your knees and hips level. When lifting, let your legs do the work. Move straight up and down. Keep your back straight and bend only at the knees. Hold the close to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously.