Lower Back Pain: Definitions & Options
There are 5 vertebrae in the lower back. These are the 5 lumbar bones. They are cushioned by spinal discs that are covered with cartilage and made of a gel-like substance.
The spinal cord and the nerves that branch off from it are contained in the spinal canal, which extends through the entire spinal column. The lower back is very prone to pain because it has the job of supporting most of the body's weight. The spine, nerves and muscles are under a lot of stress and can experience quite a bit of pain.
Actually, after the flu, low back pain is the most common complaint doctors are presented with. There are a number of causes for back pain. Often, one patient's problems are caused by multiple reasons. However, the most common reasons are injury and trauma. Here is a list of the types of low back pain and their causes:
A muscle injury is a strain.
Sprain: Injury to a ligament.
A pinched nerve is called sciatica.
Sacroiliitis is caused by inflammation of the hip joint.
Disc degeneration caused by disease.
A herniated disc is caused by pressure.
There are a number of reasons why sprains and strains happen. They could be the result of multiple events. For example, improper lifting, obesity, and poor posture each cause cumulative damage to the lower back as well as other body structures.
Click here for more on reconstruction for ACL tear.
After a strain or sprain, it is important to slowly and carefully resume normal activities after a couple of days. Heat and/or cold packs should be applied to the injury. Physical maneuvering of the bones - known as tractions and reduction - may be helpful. Other treatments include electrical stimulation, massage therapy, and ultrasound. Additionally, injections of corticosteroids or local anesthetics may provide temporary relief of pain.
One can avoid and treat back pain with strengthening and conditioning of the muscles of the lower back. General aerobic conditioning and specific strengthening exercises will help with this.
Spinal fusion is a back surgery that is used when all non-surgical options have been tried without success. Spinal fusion limits movement in the most painful area of the back.
Back surgery is deemed successful if the pain is reduced. However, it may take over a year to find this out, as recovery can be slow. Complete relief of pain is quite unusual. It is important to discuss all of the alternatives for treatment with your doctor. It may be that surgery is not the right choice for you.
Click here for more on knee surgeons and surgeries. - 17269
The spinal cord and the nerves that branch off from it are contained in the spinal canal, which extends through the entire spinal column. The lower back is very prone to pain because it has the job of supporting most of the body's weight. The spine, nerves and muscles are under a lot of stress and can experience quite a bit of pain.
Actually, after the flu, low back pain is the most common complaint doctors are presented with. There are a number of causes for back pain. Often, one patient's problems are caused by multiple reasons. However, the most common reasons are injury and trauma. Here is a list of the types of low back pain and their causes:
A muscle injury is a strain.
Sprain: Injury to a ligament.
A pinched nerve is called sciatica.
Sacroiliitis is caused by inflammation of the hip joint.
Disc degeneration caused by disease.
A herniated disc is caused by pressure.
There are a number of reasons why sprains and strains happen. They could be the result of multiple events. For example, improper lifting, obesity, and poor posture each cause cumulative damage to the lower back as well as other body structures.
Click here for more on reconstruction for ACL tear.
After a strain or sprain, it is important to slowly and carefully resume normal activities after a couple of days. Heat and/or cold packs should be applied to the injury. Physical maneuvering of the bones - known as tractions and reduction - may be helpful. Other treatments include electrical stimulation, massage therapy, and ultrasound. Additionally, injections of corticosteroids or local anesthetics may provide temporary relief of pain.
One can avoid and treat back pain with strengthening and conditioning of the muscles of the lower back. General aerobic conditioning and specific strengthening exercises will help with this.
Spinal fusion is a back surgery that is used when all non-surgical options have been tried without success. Spinal fusion limits movement in the most painful area of the back.
Back surgery is deemed successful if the pain is reduced. However, it may take over a year to find this out, as recovery can be slow. Complete relief of pain is quite unusual. It is important to discuss all of the alternatives for treatment with your doctor. It may be that surgery is not the right choice for you.
Click here for more on knee surgeons and surgeries. - 17269
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, Phoenix knee surgery and Mesa and Phoenix Knee Arthroscopy.
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4:23 AM
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