The lumbar spine or low back is a remarkably well-engineered structure of interconnecting bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles all working together to provide support, strength, and flexibility. However, this complex structure also leaves the low back susceptible to injury and pain. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent or relieve most
back pain episodes. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body
mechanics often will heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional.
Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.
Back pain can range from a muscle aching to a shooting,
burning or stabbing sensation. In addition, the pain may radiate down your leg
or worsen with bending, twisting, lifting, standing or walking.
It
can be of Upper back pain and Lower back pain. Lower back pain may be linked to
the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine
and discs, spinal cord and nerves, lower back muscles, abdominal and pelvic
internal organs, and the skin around the lumbar area. Pain in the upper back
may be due to disorders of the aorta, tumors in the chest, and
spine inflammation.
WHAT
MIGHT BE THE CAUSES OF YOUR BACK PAIN?
Conditions commonly linked to back
pain include:
·
Osteoporosis. Your spine's
vertebrae can develop painful fractures if your bones become porous and
brittle.
·
Muscle or ligament
strain. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain
back muscles and spinal ligaments.
· Bulging or ruptured disks. Disks act as cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spine. The soft material inside a disk can bulge or rupture and press on a nerve
Other causes
Some medical conditions
can lead to back pain.
- Cauda
equina syndrome
- Cancer of
the spine
- Infection
of the spine.
- Shingles
- Sleep
disorders
- Other
infections: Pelvic inflammatory disease, bladder, or kidney
infections may also lead to back pain.
RISK
FACTORS
Anyone can develop back pain, even
children and teens. These factors might put you at greater risk of developing
back pain:
·
Age
·
Lack of exercise
·
Excess weight
·
Diseases
·
Improper lifting
·
Psychological conditions
·
Smoking
·
occupational
activities
·
pregnancy
·
a
sedentary lifestyle
·
poor
physical fitness
·
obesity and excess weight
·
strenuous
physical exercise or work, especially if done incorrectly
·
genetic
factors
·
medical
conditions, such as arthritis and cancer
WHEN
SHOULD YOU IMMEDIATELY SEEK MEDICAL HELP WITH BACK PAIN (RED FLAG
SIGNS)?
Most back pain gradually improves
with home treatment and self-care, usually within a few weeks. Contact your
doctor if your back pain:
·
Persists past a few weeks
·
Is severe and doesn't improve with
rest
·
Spreads down one or both legs,
especially if the pain extends below the knee
·
Causes weakness, numbness or
tingling in one or both legs
·
Is accompanied by unexplained weight
loss
·
Is
associated with fever
·
Inflammation
or swelling on the back
·
Persistent
back pain, where lying down or resting does not help
·
A
recent injury, blow or trauma to the back
·
Difficulty urinating
·
Fecal incontinence, or loss of control
over bowel movements
·
Numbness around the genitals, anus,
buttocks.
WHAT
ARE THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT ARE NEEDED TO BE DONE IN BACK PAIN ?
A doctor will usually be
able to diagnose back pain after asking about symptoms (History) and carrying
out a physical examination.
An imaging scan and
other tests may be required if:
- back pain
appears to result from an injury
- there may
be underlying cause that needs treatment
- the pain
persists over a long period
Some modality of imaging
investigation are,
X-rays
MRI or CT scans
Bone scans
Electromyography or EMG
Treatment
Back pain usually resolves with rest and home remedies, but sometimes medical treatment is necessary. You might avoid back pain or prevent its recurrence by improving your physical condition and learning and practicing proper body measure. Avoid movements that twist or strain your back. Use your body properly.
Home treatments
Pain relief medication,
usually non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as ibuprofen, can relieve discomfort. Applying
a hot compress or an ice pack to the painful area may also reduce pain. Resting
from strenuous activity can help, but moving around will ease stiffness, reduce
pain, and prevent muscles from weakening.
Medical treatment
If home treatments do
not relieve back pain, a doctor may recommend the following medication, physical
therapy, or both.
Medication:
Back
pain that does not respond well to painkillers may require a prescription NSAID
i.e. ibuprofen
(Motrin, Advil)
naproxen (Aleve). Codeine or
hydrocodone, which are narcotics, may be prescribed for short periods. These
require close monitoring by the doctor. Muscle relaxants can also
be used for lower back pain, especially if muscle spasms occur
alongside pain.
Physical
therapy
·
Exercise. Regular
low-impact aerobic activities — those that don't strain or jolt your back — can
increase strength in your back Walking and swimming are good choices. Talk with
your doctor about which activities you might try.
·
Build
muscle strength and flexibility. Abdominal and back muscle
exercises, which strengthen your core, help condition these muscles so that
they work together like a natural corset for your back.
·
Maintain
a healthy weight. Being overweight strains back muscles. If
you're overweight, trimming down can prevent back pain.
·
Quit
smoking. Smoking
increases your risk of low back pain. The risk increases with the number of
cigarettes smoked per day, so quitting should help reduce this risk.
Surgery
Surgery is rarely
required in the condition of back pain.