What You Should Know About Low Back Pain
Causes
Medical diagnosis
Treatment
Avoidance
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Overview
Lower pain in the back is a typical cause for sees to the medical professional.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), low pain in the back is the most common reason for occupational impairment. At least 80 percent of Americans will experience low pain in the back in their lifetime.
A lot of low pain in the back is the outcome of an injury, such as muscle sprains or pressures due to abrupt motions or bad body mechanics while lifting heavy things.
Low back pain can also be the result of specific diseases, such as:
cancer of the spine
a burst or herniated disc
sciatica
arthritis
kidney infections
infections of the spinal column
Acute pain in the back can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, while chronic neck and back pain is discomfort that lasts longer than 3 months.
Low back pain is more likely to occur in people between the ages of 30 and 50. This is partly due to the modifications that take place in the body with aging. As you get older, there's a decrease in the fluid content between the vertebrae in the spine.
This indicates discs in the spine experience irritation more quickly. You also lose some muscle tone, that makes the back more susceptible to injury. This is why reinforcing your back muscles and using excellent body mechanics are useful in preventing low neck and back pain.
What are the causes of low neck and back pain?
Strains
The muscles and ligaments in the back can stretch or tear due to excess activity. Symptoms include discomfort and stiffness in the lower back, along with muscle spasms. Rest and physical treatment are solutions for these signs.
Disc injury
The discs in the back are susceptible to injury. This danger increases with age. The outside of the disc can tear or herniate.
A herniated disc, which is likewise known as a slipped or burst disc, takes place when the cartilage surrounding the disc pushes versus the spinal cord or nerve roots. The cushion that sits between the spine vertebrae extends outside its normal position.
This can lead to compression of the nerve root as it exits from the spinal cord and through the vertebral bones. Disc injury generally takes place unexpectedly after raising something or twisting the back. Unlike a back pressure, discomfort from a disc injury typically lasts for more than 72 hours.
Sciatica
Sciatica can occur with a herniated disc if the disc presses on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve connects the spinal column to the legs. As an outcome, sciatica can trigger pain in the legs and feet. This pain generally feels like burning, or pins and needles.
Spine stenosis
Spine stenosis is when the spinal column narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.
Spine stenosis is most commonly due to degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae. The outcome is compression of the nerve roots or spine by bony stimulates or soft tissues, such as discs.
Pressure on the spine nerves causes signs such as:
tingling
cramping
weak point
You may feel these symptoms anywhere in the body. Many people with back stenosis notice their symptoms worsen when standing or walking.
Abnormal spinal column curvatures
Scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis are all conditions that cause abnormal curvatures in the spinal column.
These are hereditary conditions that are normally first identified during childhood or adolescence. The unusual curvature causes discomfort and poor posture because it places pressure on:
muscles
tendons
ligaments
vertebrae
Other conditions
There are a variety of other conditions that cause lower pain in the back. These conditions consist of:
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints.
Fibromyalgia is long-term discomfort and tenderness in the joints, muscles, and tendons.
Spondylitis is swelling of the joints in between the back bones.
Spondylosis is a degenerative disorder that might cause loss of normal back structure and function. Aging is the primary cause of the condition, the area and rate of degeneration is specific to the person.
Extra health conditions that can cause lower neck and back pain consist of:
Kidney and bladder problems
pregnancy
endometriosis
ovarian cysts
uterine fibroids
cancer