Jul
4
The lower back has five vertebrae that make up the lumbar bones. These vertebrae are separated by spinal discs that are made of a gel-like substance. These discs are coated with cartilage.
The spinal cord and nerves are contained within the spinal canal, which runs the full length of the spinal column. The lower back takes a lot of stress because it carries the weight of most of the torso. This causes the spine, nerves and muscles to be subject to 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:
Strains are caused by muscle injury.
Sprains are caused by ligament injury.
Sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve.
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.
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Following a sprain or a strain, it is a good idea to apply heat and cold packs alternately. You might also treat with ultrasound, massage therapy, or electrical stimulation. Tractions and reductions (physical maneuvering of the bones) may also be helpful. A doctor can provide local injections of anesthetics or corticosteroids for pain relief. It is important to ease back into regular activity after a couple of days rest.
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.
If you have tried all of the non-surgical options without relief, you may wish to consider surgery. Spinal fusion is the most common back surgery. It works by limiting the movement in the most painful area of your back.
It is important to note that recovery can be a lengthy and uncertain process. It often takes over a year to know whether or not the surgery has been successful. This is simply determined by whether or not the pain has abated. Complete relief from pain is unusual. Still, this is an option worth discussing with your doctor; although, you may well find that it is not the best option for you.
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