Back Ache

Back Ache

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints. 4 out of 5 adults; experience significant back pain at some point in their life. After the common cold, lower back pain is the most common cause of loss of work under the age of 45.

The lumbar spine has a complex structure: it connects the upper body, which includes the rib cage and arms, to the lower body, which includes the pelvis and legs. This important part of the spine provides mobility and strength. The lumbar spine has movements such as rotation, twisting and sprain. It allows us to do power-intensive tasks such as standing, walking and lifting. A healthy waist is needed for almost all these activities of daily life. Lower back pain limits your activities and reduces your quality of daily life.

What is Lower Back Pain?

Our waist has a complex structure. It consists of vertebrae, discs, spinal cord, spinal cord and nerves.

• There are 5 lumbar vertebrae. It connects the upper spine to the pelvis, They are stacked on top of each other.
• 6 shock absorbing discs: Act as both a cushion and stabilizer to protect the lumbar vertebrae.
• Spinal cord and nerves: These are the 'electrical wires' that run through a central canal inside the lumbar vertebrae and connect your brain to the muscles of your legs.
• Small joints: Allowing movement and providing stability
• Muscles and ligaments: Provides support and strengthens.

What are the Common Causes of Lower Back Pain?

* Lumbar sprain and strain: The lumbar muscles provide strength and endurance in activities such as standing, walking and lifting an object.: Muscle strain occurs when the muscles are weakened or overworked. Ligaments connect the 5 lumbar vertebrae and support stability. If it is overused or weak, a 'sprain', which we call sprain, occurs with a sudden and strong movement. These strains and minor traumas are very common among the causes of lower back pain. Factors that increase damage are as follows; Being in poor condition, abuse, obesity and smoking. Naturally, the risk of lower back pain increases with aging. A decrease in the amount of bone, such as osteoporosis, and a decrease in the elasticity and strength of the muscles and ligaments are seen with increasing frequency with age. This process can be slowed down with regular exercise, knowing the right way to lift and move objects, eating right, and avoiding smoking.

*Age: Wear, abrasion and hereditary factors cause degenerative disc disease and arthritic changes in small joints. These changes happen to different degrees in everyone, and when severe, they can cause lower back stiffness and pain. Arthritic bony spurs and inflamed joints can press on nerves and cause leg pain. Nearly everyone develops wear and tear changes in their lower back as they get older, but for most people, this doesn't cause significant symptoms.

*Osteoporosis: Loss of all bones, especially the lumbar spine, begins in post-menopausal women. Fractures may occur during daily activities or due to falling under pressure. It causes pain.

*Herniated disc: The disc consists of a soft jelly-like core in children and young adults. The nucleus is surrounded by a harder outer part called the annulus: with normal aging, the nucleus begins to resemble the annulus side, hardens, losing the fluid inside. In our middle age, disc cracks can occur. These can be the source of lower back pain. If the crack extends out of the disc, the material in the disc may come out or. This is usually called a hernia or slip. If the protruding disc presses on a nerve, it can cause pain in the leg.

How to Diagnose Lower Back Pain?

Lower back pain is usually not serious and responds to simple treatments. Your doctor can accurately diagnose and effectively treat most types of lower back pain. You will be asked whether you have been involved in an accident and the progress of your complaint.

You will also have an examination of your spine and legs. Many episodes of lower back pain do not require expensive tests for initial evaluation and treatment. If your pain is severe and unresponsive to treatments, or if you have significant leg pain, some imaging modalities are needed. Plain X-rays will show arthritis and bone problems, but will not show soft tissues such as the lumbar disc or nerves. In cases involving these soft tissues, Computed Tomography (CT) or Magnetic Resonance may be required.

Sometimes, a bone scan to see bone activity and electrical tests (such as EMG) to differentiate nerve-muscle damage may be required.

What Is The Best Treatment For Lower Back Pain?

Most lower back pain can be treated safely and effectively, following an examination by your doctor and some medication added to a prescribed change of activity to relieve pain. After a short rest period, light activity accelerates recovery. You can plan your activities with your Physical Therapist.

After the initial pain has subsided, a rehabilitation program that includes stretching exercises may be recommended to increase your flexibility and increase muscle strength in your lower back and abdominal muscles.

The best long-term treatment is a good prevention program, which will maintain your physical condition and prevent further injury.

When is Surgical Treatment Necessary?

Most lower back pain can be treated safely and effectively, following an examination by your doctor and some medication added to a prescribed change of activity to relieve pain. After a short rest period, light activity accelerates recovery. You can plan your activities with your Physical Therapist.

Most lower back pain, whether acute or chronic, can almost always be treated without surgery. The most common reason for surgery is cases that cause nerve and leg pain, cause muscle weakness, or do not respond to other treatments.