Pain in the lower back is a common concern. Low back pain is not a specific disease. Rather, it is a symptom that may occur from a variety of different processes. In up to 85% of people with low back pain, despite a thorough medical examination, no specific cause of the pain can be identified. There are many reasons for a patient to experience back pain. Pain in the back is one of the most common health complaints regardless of age, occupation, gender, or health. There is a huge array of painful conditions affecting the back and spine. Many of these conditions are related to age, activity, or circumstances.
Signs and Symptoms:
Pain that is aggravated by coughing, sneezing, or twisting. Pain or numbness travels down one or both legs. Pain awakens you from sleep. Pain low in the back, possibly severe. It may come on suddenly or slowly; it may be constant or occur only at certain times of the day or when you are in a certain position; it may be confined to one place or move to other parts of your back. Numbness, stiffness, tingling, or a shooting pain in your legs or buttocks, usually on one side only.
Stress, anxiety, and depression are often linked to back pain. Stress causes muscles to contract, which reduces blood flow to the tissues and often leads to pain. Stress hormones also heighten the perception of pain. There are many ways to relieve stress, from exercising to learning relaxation techniques. For some people, relieving stress is the most effective way to reduce pain.
Low back pain may reflect nerve or muscle irritation or bone lesions. Most low back pain follows injury or trauma to the back, but pain may also be caused by degenerative conditions such as arthritis or disc disease, osteoporosis or other bone diseases, viral infections, irritation to joints and discs, or congenital abnormalities in the spine. Obesity, smoking, weight gain during pregnancy, stress, poor physical condition, posture inappropriate for the activity being performed, and poor sleeping position also may contribute to low back pain. Additionally, scar tissue created when the injured back heals itself does not have the strength or flexibility of normal tissue. Buildup of scar tissue from repeated injuries eventually weakens the back and can lead to more serious injury.
Occasionally, low back pain may indicate a more serious medical problem. Pain accompanied by fever or loss of bowel or bladder control, pain when coughing, and progressive weakness in the legs may indicate a pinched nerve or other serious condition. People with diabetes may have severe back pain or pain radiating down the leg related to neuropathy. People with these symptoms should contact a doctor immediately to help prevent permanent damage
Back Pain Treatment:
Most low back pain can be treated without surgery. Treatment involves using analgesics, reducing inflammation, restoring proper function and strength to the back, and preventing recurrence of the injury. Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss. Patients should contact a doctor if there is not a noticeable reduction in pain and inflammation after 72 hours of self-care.
No specific back exercises were found that improved pain or increased functional ability in people with acute back pain. Exercise, however, may be useful for people with chronic back pain to help them return to normal activities and work.
Do exercise to strengthen the abdominal muscles (always do sit-ups with your knees bent) Also, stretch the muscles that run parallel to your spine (lie flat on your back, pull one knee, then the other, toward your chest). Consult a specialist to develop a program that’s right for your and your back.
Sleeping with a pillow between the knees while lying on one side may increase comfort. Some doctors recommend lying on your back with a pillow under your knees. Try yoga. Both back pain sufferers and doctors give it high ratings for building strength and flexibility. It also helps your relax and reduce stress. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes. If you sit for long periods, make sure your work surface is at a comfortable height and that your chair provides good lower back support. Walk around for a few minutes every half hour or so. Don’t lift and twist at the same time. Lift with your legs, not your back, and lift as little weight each time as possible. Control your weight. A big belly puts strain on the lower spine.
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