Common Characteristics of Back Pain
Back pain, which afflicts four out of five Americans at one time or another, is second only to ill as a common disorder characterized by pain. Pain in the upper spine may accompany an injury; however, for the spectacular, majority, the pain originates in the lower back, or lumbar region.
Recent studies indicate that fewer than 15 percent of cases of lower back pain are traceable to structural defects, such as ruptured disks, arthritis or tumors. In most cases, the disability arises from feebleness of the musculature surrounding the spine. Therefore, the most important aspect of medicine for muscle-based back pain involves strengthening and protecting these supporting muscles. With a doctor's guidance, well-informed and motivated patients can carry out most of the medicine themselves.
How the Pain Originates
The spinal column is made up of 24 separate and nine fused vertebrae, held together with tough bands of tissue called ligaments. Nerve roots pass through openings at the side of each vertebra. Thus, a wrench of the back or a failure of muscular hold may corollary in the painful "pinching" of a nerve. The sciatic nerve--which extends from the lumbar area into the buttock, leg and toes--is particularly vulnerable to pressure. (The condition known as sciatica is a frequent companion to lower back pain, usually associated with a ruptured disk.)
Pain also is generated when muscles go into spasm. While such spasms may occur as a protective reflex, they intensify hurt by choking off circulation and setting up an inflammatory response. Stress of any kind--physical or psychological--may cause spasms in under-exercised muscles.
Basic Causes
Recurrent back pain--leading to the deterioration of the muscles supporting the spine--usually can be traced to a specific condition. These include--singly or in combination--a sedentary life style, obesity, poor posture and a normal lack of muscular tone. The type of rehearsal taken by usually sedentary citizen often fails to improve muscles supporting the lower back. Indeed, such favorite weekend sports ans tennis, golf and skiing may in effect promote back problems.
Treating the Pain
Typically, acute low-back pain comes on suddenly and without apparent reason. Symptoms of sciatic nerve involvement--twinges, numbness, burning--may also be present. For such cases, a regimen of bed rest, hot baths and aspirin or a prescribed painkiller usually provides relief. A short procedure of muscle relaxants may be recommended. If sagging abdominal muscles need support, a girdle is helpful.
In about 90 percent of all cases, low-back pain subsides within two months. However, if the circumstances that caused it are not altered, it is likely to recur.
Preventing a Recurrence
As soon as potential after the acute pain subsides, exercises should be undertaken to improve muscles in the back and abdomen. A long-term weight-reducing plan may also be advised. Yoga, meditation and breathing exercises may help sell out tension and stress.
If your daily habit involves many hours of standing, check your posture in profile. Your chest should be raised, buttocks tucked in and stomach flat. Sedentary workers should have a chair with armrests,, hold for the lower back, a transportable upper section and an adjustment for height, so that feet can rest on the floor. When picking things up, bend at the knees only. If the object is heavy, hold it close to flexed abdominal muscles. Sports captivating sudden body movements should be avoided in favor of walking, jogging, cycling and swimming.
Chronic Disabling Pain
When diagnostic tests decide that the cause of severe and unremitting back pain is nerve damage, tumor, arthritis or bone inflammation, therapy involves more comprehensive treatment, which may contain surgery, drugs and corporal therapy.
Very often, long-time sufferers from back pain of unidentifiable origin come to be "lower back cripples," limiting their activities and life style for fear of provoking pain. If the back becomes an excuse for avoiding responsibilities or confronting fundamental problems, pro counseling should be considered.
Summing Up
Back pain is one of our most common condition problems, but it can usually be resolved by allowable exercise, heat, diet and other conservative measures. While 90 percent of all back pains dissipate within a few weeks, precautions should be taken to preclude their recurrence. Less frequent causes of lower back pain contain arthritis, tumors and structural or neurological defects, which need clinical treatment.
Lumbar Spine Surgery:Back Pain and exercise
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