At times, it is easy to know what is causing low back pain. A person might pick something up and immediately feel pain in the lower back. At other times, however, a person might have no clue why they are experiencing this pain.
Regardless of the cause, low back pain is something that cannot be ignored. In fact, it may become so bad that the individual can’t take part in regular activities. When this happens, it is time to learn more about treating low back pain at 417 Spine.
The Role of the Lumbar Spine
The lumbar spine is found in the lower back. Its job is to support the weight of the upper body, and it plays a role in many everyday movements. As this part of the spine is heavily used, it remains at higher risk of injury, along with wear and tear. This leads to the pain countless individuals experience.
Symptoms of Low Back Pain
A person may experience many different symptoms of low back pain. Some people find they have a dull ache in the pelvic region, but others suffer from muscle tightness and spasms. Sciatica affects the lower back and begins as a sharp, tingling pain in this region. The pain then travels down one leg.
At times, the pain will worsen when the person sits. Once they get up and move around, this pain dissipates. For many people, the pain is worse when they get up in the morning.
Most people have a combination of symptoms. They may come on without warning or develop over time. For certain people, the low back pain only flares up at times. However, without treatment, the problem worsens.
What Causes Low Back Pain?
Strains and sprains account for low back pain in many individuals. As the lumbar spine is involved in countless daily activities, this portion of the back is at high risk of problems. The strain or sprain may be the result of an acute injury or develop over time. Poor posture and repetitive motions account for low back pain in many people. It’s best to see a doctor to determine the cause of this pain and the best treatment options.
Your doctor can help you determine the particular course of self-care that can help heal your acute lower back pain. A person might not need anything more than rest and anti-inflammatory medications. Ice and muscle relaxers might also be prescribed. However, if these treatments don’t heal the pain, it’s time to look at other possible causes.
Chronic Low Back Pain
Anyone suffering from chronic low back pain may have an underlying condition that requires treatment to resolve the pain. There may be a problem with the nerves, lumbar disks, or vertebrae that is leading to this pain. Osteoarthritis and degenerative disk disease are two common conditions that bring about back pain. However, a person might be dealing with another lower back issue that comes with pain.
Herniated Disks
The lumber and thoracic spine in adults consists of 17 bones. These bones are stacked on top of each other. Between each set of bones is a disk that cushions the bones and absorbs pressure. The disk has an outer covering filled with gel.
When this gel makes its way out of the outer covering, the person experiences pain. The gel presses on nerves in the area, bringing about this pain. Many things can lead to the gel escaping the covering. Trauma is one reason it may do so with wear and tear being another.
Joint Damage
The lower back has joints that connect the vertebrae. Known as the facet joints, these connections are subject to a significant amount of stress and compressive force. As a result, the cartilage in these joints may break down. Poor posture is one reason for this breakdown, which brings about osteoarthritis. The person might have muscle spaces or stiffness. Inflammation and pain are common with this condition, and the facet joint might impinge on a nerve, bringing about sciatica.
Compression Fractures
A vertebra in the spine can collapse in on itself, which is known as a compression fracture. Osteoporosis may cause this fracture, but the fracture could also be the result of trauma. The person experiences severe pain and limited spinal mobility. In addition, they may find they are shorter than they were prior to the fracture. In addition, they might develop a stooped posture.
Spinal Stenosis
Some people experience a narrowing of the spinal canal. When this occurs in the lower back, it is referred to as lumbar spinal stenosis. As the canal narrows, it puts pressure on nerve roots. Many things can cause the canal to narrow, including bone spurs or disk degeneration. In addition to causing pain in the lower back, spinal stenosis can lead to sciatica.
Spondylolisthesis
A lumber vertebra may move forward. As it does so, it puts extreme pressure on the lumbar disk. This disk begins to deteriorate, bringing about lower back pain. The disk may also flatten and push on nerves, leading to sciatica. Fractures in a small piece of bone in the lumbar spine are a common cause of spondylolisthesis. These fractures may not cause pain when they occur. A person doesn’t discover this issue until later in life.
Scoliosis
When a person experiences low back pain, scoliosis may be the culprit. The spine naturally curves in an S shape. The upper portion of the spine curves toward the back, while the lower portion curves toward the front. In some people, however, the spine curves sideways, and this can bring about back pain. The person is more at risk of disk and lumbar joint degeneration. Mild cases can be watched, but severe cases require treatment.
Any back pain that does not respond to home treatments requires a trip to the doctor. The doctor can determine the cause of this pain and come up with a treatment plan. This plan may include spinal manipulation, electric muscle stimulation, and intersegmental traction. The doctor develops this plan based on what is seen during the physical exam and what they learn from any testing they do, as the plan must take into account the patient’s unique circumstances. Only then will it be effective.
