Back pain is a highly prevalent condition that people suffer from. Unfortunately, it is not limited to the elderly and obese, as many parents often have observed. In this article, we will discuss the causes of back pain, as well as what treatments are available for the condition.
Back pain is caused by many factors. It can be caused by a variety of events, from trauma to muscular strain. However, in general, the most common causes are found to be muscle imbalance and spasms. The following are some common causes of back pain:
Any type of injury or strain to the lower back or upper back can cause back pain. The best way to know if you are suffering from back pain is to locate the source of the problem. The most common sources of back pain are sprains, strains, broken bones, and strains, which are generally thought to be caused by muscles overworking themselves. The spine is responsible for absorbing shock and the lower back has more concentration on absorbing shock than any other part of the body.
Poor posture is the number one cause of back pain in the United States. Many people spend so much time sitting in one position that their spine becomes misaligned. To correct this, the majority of the population must learn proper posture. Being able to sit in an optimal position and keeping your back straight at all times will help prevent some types of back pain, but cannot completely solve the problem.
The vertebrae or spinal discs are often damaged due to a direct impact to the back or to twisting forces. When these discs become damaged, they are replaced by bone fragments, which may lead to chronic pain. One of the most common signs of spinal disc herniation is a sharp stabbing pain that travels down the legs to the lower thighs. This pain may radiate up the back and up into the neck.
Acute care refers to the treatment that is provided immediately to patients who present with back pain. Chronic care involves pain management that provides the patient with pain relief throughout their lifetime. Back pain can cause a patient to lose their ability to work and return to work will be difficult or impossible. This is why physicians strongly encourage their patients to immediately seek emergency treatment, even if only to get the appropriate pain relief.
A strained back muscle causes increased pressure on the inner side of the spinal column, thus affecting the facet joints (sometimes referred to as the disks) in the upper back. Back pain that originates in the middle back can be caused by an irritation of the lower back nerve, which runs from the pelvis to the lumbar spine. If the affected nerves become pinched, the pain can be difficult to diagnose.
In most cases, lumbar pain occurs on the left side of the back. Lumbar pain may appear as tingling or numbness in the extremities, often accompanied by a burning sensation in the lower back. Depending on the nature of the pain, lumbar pain can also travel down the leg to the hip, causing a stabbing sensation. The pain can be relieved by icing and working the back muscles to reduce muscle irritation.
Acute back pain can be treated with antibiotics and therapy. Careful thought needs to be taken in regard to the type of treatment, however. Any soreness, inflammation, or bruising in the area is not an indication that the treatment should be avoided. Treatment such as heat or ice, while effective in alleviating symptoms, cannot effectively reduce the swelling that accompanies a herniated disc.
For the acute type of back pain, an interdisciplinary approach is necessary. The physician will do the best to find a physiotherapist or physical therapist that is familiar with back pain and the particular type of pain a patient is experiencing. A multidisciplinary approach may include physiotherapy, rehabilitation, and orthopedic medicine. It may also include a doctor, a nurse, or chiropractor, physical therapist, and an internist.
If the pain is from acute lumbar stress syndrome, a patient can use ice therapy and physical therapy to relieve the pain. If the pain is a result of a slipped disk, physiotherapy, exercise, strength training, and lower back braces can help to maintain proper posture.
