Stretching is the Key to Managing Your Back Pain
Stretching routine and stretching exercises to bring about relief for lower back pain.
Just about everyone, sometime or another, suffers from back pain. And probably the first thing you’ll do is reach for some pain killers. Medication, however, can be helpful in some ways, yet harmful in others. Medication is certainly needed if you’re in a lot of pain. Muscle relaxants can be effective at calming muscle spasms in your back.
However, the problem with medication is that it really doesn’t treat the cause of the problem. It merely covers up the pain so that you can get through your daily activities. If you don’t truly fix the problem, your back pain could continue to cause you problems for buy Caverta online some time to come.
Fortunately, there is another method of treating back pain. This technique can be far more effective than medication. To be effective, however, it has to be part of your ongoing routine. And don’t give up without giving it enough of a chance to start working. So what exactly is this magic cure? It’s known as stretching exercises.
There are many reasons why you should do some stretching exercises for your back. First of all, it’s an all natural way to deal with the problem. You’re not constantly popping pills or wrapping ice packs around your back. Because it’s all natural, you won’t experience any harmful side effects. This can certainly happen with some medications. However, you do need to make sure you perform the exercises correctly so you don’t injure yourself further.
Another advantage of using stretching exercises to treat your back pain is it can help prevent future problems. That can’t be said for most medications. Your core muscles are strengthened through regular stretching. So you’re ensuring that your body can handle the demands you place on it best price cialis every day.
You’re also contributing to the flexibility of your muscles. This means they’ll be ready for action whenever cialis cialis they’re called upon. Limber muscles are particularly important when you trip or lose your balance, because they’ll help to stabilize you.
It’s not just your back that benefits from stretching. They have benefits for your entire body. By incorporating a stretching routine into your day, you improve your fitness. This improves the functioning of your cardiovascular system. It also strengthens your immune system, so you won’t catch every bug that goes around.
You just can’t lose by doing some stretching exercises on a regular basis. The benefits aren’t only for your back. Your whole body will be more fit and full of health.
Posted under Lower Back Pain Exercises
This post was written by admin on April 23, 2009
Back Pain Relief With Chiropractic
Low back pain and relief for lower back pain
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is second in prevalence only to the common cold. It affects more than 80% of people. However, unlike the common cold, back pain is often perplexing to most of its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving that mystery.
Anatomy
To understand back pain, it is useful to cialis manufacturer understand the anatomy of the spine. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are made of posterior joints called facets that join vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the action of the spine. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of price cialis the vertebrae and are composed of a form of tough cartilage that encases a soft material in the center, called the buy Simplicef online nucleus. The principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also join the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is located between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves leave the spine between the vertebrae.
Causes of Back Pain
Most often, back pain occurs without a trauma, an accident, or a major injury prior to the onset. The cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other unhealthy lifestyle-related factors cause most back pain. All of these factors create stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually cause pain. This is why people can often injure their back merely by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this comes about, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine can occur during and after prolonged sitting, especially in a awkward position. Eventually the lower spine loses its normal function and no longer can make room for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it produces the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, one can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and occasionally weakness in the lower extremities. Sadly, if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition isn’t managed properly, surgery may benecessary to remove the herniated disc material. With chiropractic adjustments and care, which often includes postural exercises, most disc complications, including sciatica, can be mended. If you are experiencing any of the conditions defined above, it is crucial for you to seek chiropractic assistance.
Spondylosis
Repetitive injury to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may cause increased wear and tear and weight-bearing stress on the spine. This stress can unfavorably affect the cartilage around the joints and engender calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This compression causes a form of arthritis, called Spondylosis, that can also occur as part of the aging process of the spine. But, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic adjustments and overall chiropractic management is extraordinarily helpful in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has helped many Spondylosis sufferers.
Sacroiliac Problems
The sacroiliac joints are a general area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints link the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are innately very strong and stable. Damage from falls, sports injuries, or the lifting of heavy objects can cause the joints to become unstable and change to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Women may get this condition during or after their pregnancy. Sacroiliac subluxation creates imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. People with this condition will feel pain especially with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and exhaustion. Other symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, can advance further up the spine. Chiropractic adjustments and treatment are extremely effective in fixing this problem by establishing proper alignment of the joints.. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
A prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine, is subluxated or misaligned facet joints. Subluxations can happen on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. They not only produce pain, but they can also compromise the spinal nerves as they exit the foramen or spaces between the vertebrae, and produce nerve compression, known as paraethesia. Paraesthesia is a change of sensation described as a tingling, burning or "funny feeling." Paraesthesia in the upper extremities usuallyoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is most often associated with nerve problemsin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also becorrelated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best corrected by chiropractic adjustments.
Trauma
Injury such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine and lower back and create extreme pain and immobility. Proper chiropractic care at the onset of symptoms is vital in order to prevent long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.
When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and highly competent treatment for any of the above-mentioned problems of the spine and lower back.
Posted under Back Pain Remedy
This post was written by admin on April 19, 2009
Lower Back Pain And The Hip Abductor Muscles
Relief for lower back pain can still be had effectively by cialis offer title=”treating the inflammation in the area that has the pain”>treating the inflammation in the area that has the pain. The best treatment would be Systemic Enzymes.
Lower Back Pain- Thigh Abduction by Jennifer Chu, M.D.
Patients with lower back pain often secondary to irritation of the L5 and S1 nerve roots will have difficulty not only due to the pain but due to weakness of the hip abductor muscles.
The most powerful hip abductor is the gluteus medius. It is supplied by the superior gluteal nerve (L4, L5 and S1). The L5 nerve root has the strongest representation online pharmacy no prescription in this muscle. The other hip abductors are the other muscles are tensor fascia latae and gluteus minimus which are also supplied by the superior gluteal nerve.
Hip abduction can be tested with the patient supine with the thighs spread apart. The examiner then pushes the thigh inward to the midline. The hip abductors can also be tested with the patient lying on his side with the tested side uppermost. The patient cialis without prescription then lifts the thigh up against gravity.
The most functional way of testing for hip abduction is to have the patient stand on one limb. If he is standing on his right leg and if he has weakness in his right hip abductor muscles his opposite hip will drop. This testing is called the Trendelenburg testing. To prevent the left hip from dropping in the case of a right hip abductor weakness, the patient may lean over to the right. This is also an indicator of weakness of the hip abductors on the right side..
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Posted under Miscellaneous Content
This post was written by admin on March 22, 2009
Massage Chairs
cialis dosage target=”_blank” title=”Using massage chairs to get relief for lower back pain”>Using massage chairs to get relief for lower back pain ties in with the concept of using exercise and non-surgical therapy to get refief for lower back pain.
Massage Chairs Relieve Lower Back Pain
Massage chairs effectively relieve lower back pain. There are a variety of massage treatments available in many advanced massage chairs. You can target lower back pain relief at the touch of a button. 
buy Cystone online alt=”Massage Chairs Relieve Lower Back Pain” width=”104″ height=”121″ /> Did you know that low back pain affects hundreds of thousands of people each year? We all know the symptoms. One wrong twist or turn and our back makes a twang and ouch! Sometimes, it happens fast, while other times it’s a gradual process.
Symptoms develop through times perhaps starting with stiffness and progressing on to soreness. At some point in our lifetime, we will experience low back pain. As someone that has lower back pain, I found that a massage chair has helped in many ways.
First off, we know that prevention should be our first and foremost goal. So I will present some quick items to consider. Preventing low back pain means taking positive action to improve your overall health as well as your back health. First realize that you must protect your back in your activities. This means learning the correct ways of lifting, sitting and standing.
The most common areas to correct are your standing posture, sitting positions and lifting techniques. These are areas of the highest probability of an injury. So if you are standing, hold your head up high and put your shoulders back. Try not to slouch forward. This creates concentration of pressure on your spinal column. How do you sit? For the most part we sit with our shoulders slouched forward. This places more strain on the muscles of the upper back. You can immediately correct this pain by holding your shoulders back and sitting up straight.
This protects the back from top to bottom. What about activities that involve lifting. Learning proper lifting techniques are important. When you pick up heavier items, they can do more damage to your back. Heavier items have more mass and require more effort which puts more strain on your back. When lifting items, it is critical to use your legs. Bend your knees and let your legs do the lifting-not your back. Massage chairs help relieve lower back pain by massage treatments. where can i get cialis There are a variety of programs I have used to reduce soreness and discomfort. A rolling massage helps to adjust the vertebrae.
You can use a shiatsu massage to relieve soreness and to revitalize your muscles. I have even used some of the traction features of the newer massage chairs to stretch my lower body. To take some pressure off my lower back, you can select a rolling massage. The massage chair uses rollers to go up and down your spine. You can recline the chair to find the pressure you want applied. The rollers move slowly up and down the spine.
As it passes each cervical disc, it will give it a gentle press. This action helps to loosen the soft tissue around the cervical discs. Try the shiatsu massage program. Shiatsu is a centuries old technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu uses different thumb and finger pressures along with acupressure points. It is a very invigorating and pain relieving massage. Shiatsu around the spinal column helps the muscles to reduce in stiffness and become more flexible. Some of the more advanced massage chairs have a traction system. The massage chair will actually hold your feet. It raises the leg rest to the horizontal position. With you in a seated position, the leg rest starts to move downward to 3 successively lower positions.
This stretches out the lower body. All this while you are getting your massage treatment! If you have back pain, then a massage chair may be an important compliment to your overall health and wellness plan.
Prevention is certainly the best medicine. However, if you are affected by low back pain, then finding the right treatments is paramount to proper recovery. A massage chair can help you both on the prevention side and on the recovery side. Massage Chairs See a variety of the best massage chairs for effective relief of low back pain
| By James Knolan Published: 1/8/2009 |
Posted under Miscellaneous Content
This post was written by admin on February 16, 2009
Pilates Exercises
Exercises sale cialis designed for lower back pain has been one of the many approaches that have been successful in the attempts to bring relief for lower back pain.
Pilates Exercises can Help with Low Back Pain
Physical therapists are integrating PIlates into their low back rehabilitation programs with great success. Low back pain is one of the most common complaints from males over the age of 20. Many women also experience a number of different acute or chronic injuries to their lower back as well. Despite the multitude of recovery options buy cialis no prescription available, ranging from medication to surgery, there is one method that has continued to prove successful. A prescribed core strengthening routine has relieved the average back pain sufferer of their pain while helping them prevent future injury also. Strengthening programs designed to increase core muscle strength and endurance have been shown to effectively alleviate back injury and improve posture. In order to make my back pain go away I need to do more back exercises buy Inderal online in the gym, right? Not so much. The real key to decreasing the stress put on one’s low back is to develop a corset that supports our body. This corset is formed by strengthening what many refer to as the core muscles; mainly the transverse abdominis, multifidus, pelvic floor muscles, and obliques. These muscles help us to breathe properly, and maintain good balance and posture throughout our daily activities. There are some different theories out there that try to explain the best way to improve core strength. Many different exercises and props have been developed to improve all aspects of one’s core. A more recent development has been the inclusion of Pilates into an abdominal strengthening program. Pilates has been shown to successfully alleviate and increasing functional strength. Pilates emphasizes movement through the use of our core muscles, those closest to the spin. Instead of performing more reps, Pilates focuses on performing fewer, more precise movements that require concentration, control, and proper form. Due to its focus on developing the core muscles as well as postural awareness, Pilates is especially successful at alleviating back pain. By integrating the trunk, pelvis, and shoulder girdle Pilates enables you to develop a strong core. Many physical therapists are successfully introducing some of the Pilates methods into their rehabilitation programs for patients with back pain. The most successful programs thus far have been those who creatively integrate Pilates with props, like the Swiss Ball, resistance bands, or balance disks, and with more traditional techniques. A prop such as the Swiss Ball is ideal for strengthening of muscles like those in the core because they challenge our balance which increases recruitment of the transverse abdominis. Pilates also emphasizes proper breathing and body awareness in addition to core conditioning. Patients are able to develop their full set of core muscles that gives them functional strength to participate in their daily activities. Those who have given Pilates a try notice a greater ability to focus on their task and increased strength to take part in normal activity while maintaining good posture. Experiencing low back pain can be frustrating. Luckily there are some options that have been proven to alleviate back pain and help us continue with our regular schedules. The integration of Pilates with more traditional strengthening methods, like using a Swiss Ball, has shown great results in helping those of us with acute and chronic back pain. Ask your local physical therapist if they have been trained in prescribing a Pilates core strengthening program. Robert Tendick is a student preparing himself to earn a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. His experience as an athlete with various injuries has given him insight into the common aches and pains that trouble many athletes and the need for core strengthening through mat pilates. He has also had the opportunity as a physical therapy aide to help heal a number of Los Angeles physical therapy patients through the use of cutting edge injury rehabilitation techniques.
| By rob tendick Published: 1/27/2007 |
Posted under Miscellaneous Content
This post was written by admin on February 15, 2009
Non-Surgical Therapy
The Healthy back Insttitute and its back pain relief guide is a great help in addressing and finding relief for lower what is cialis professional back pain
Non-Surgical Treatment for Low-Back Pain
With a variety of treatments available now for low back pain relief, most people prefer non-surgical treatment methods. Non-surgical treatment, usually referred to as the ‘conservative treatment,’ includes heat, physical therapy, hydrotherapy, electrical nerve stimulation, spinal bracing, chiropractic care, epidural steroid injection, tissue mobilization and therapeutic spinal traction. Low back pain is usually caused by degenerative disc, excessive stress to the back, arthritis of the spine, minimal movement, malpositioning of vertebrae and by problems in ligaments and tendons in and around the spine, spinal cord infection, Piriformis syndrome and other spinal conditions. Low back pain symptoms vary in different people depending on whether the pain is acute or chronic. X-rays and MRI scans are used for determining the source of low back pain. Low back pain can cialis no rx be successfully treated either with non-surgical treatment methods, conservative care, or surgery. With limited success in eliminating disc problems completely, back surgery is opted only when the non-surgical methods become ineffective. Patients suffering from low back pain can achieve equally beneficial success as those obtained from surgery with non-surgical treatment methods. Physical therapy is one of the most buy Ventolin online popular non-surgical treatment methods for low back pain. The non-surgical treatment methods are very effective even for chronic low back pain. The conservative methods make use of manually or mechanically created forces to stretch spinal muscles to alleviate back pain. With the advancement of technology, a new treatment technique called non-surgical spinal decompression (NSSD) has emerged. It has proven to be one of the most effective methods in low back pain treatment and is widely used all over the world. Drugs such as Opioids and Narcotics are used to treat acute back pain. For chronic low back pains, NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are used. With the latest advancements in the medical field, low back pain relief is possible for most patients. Mild symptoms of back pain should not be ignored and the right treatment should be taken. Igor Stiler is a medical consultant at HealthQuest, a state of the art multi-specialty office in Brooklyn, NY. By combining neurology, chiropractic care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, HealthQuest provides the highest quality care and services available. We have licensed physicians and technologists who are well experienced in offering spinal decompression services through a comprehensive package including heat, soft tissue massage, ice, myofascial release, electrical therapy, stretches and exercises.
| By Igor Stiler Published: 9/5/2008 |
Posted under Miscellaneous Content
This post was written by admin on February 15, 2009
Low Back Pain Treatment
The Back Pain Relief Guides of the Healthy Back Institute do help us in understanding and seeking relief for lower back pain
Lower Back Pain – Hip External Rotation
by Jennifer Chu, M.D.
Lower cialis generica back pain is commonly due to irritation of the L5 and S1 nerve roots. Hip pain may result secondary to pain and spasm muscles of the lower back and all muscles that cross the hip.
Patients may have trouble with external rotation of the hip due to pain and spasm of muscles that perform external rotation or from pain and spasm of muscles that perform internal rotation and thus limiting the performance of the external rotators.
This week, we shall talk about muscles that perform external rotation. cialis online To test these muscles, the patient should lie on his stomach and bend the knee up. The patient then turns the leg and foot in toward midline. This motion produces external rotation of the hip. To test the strength of the external rotators, the examiner must try to push the leg outward away from the midline.
The hip external rotators are:
* gluteus maximus lower fibers (inferior gluteal nerve L5, S1 primarily S1)
* obturator internus buy Retino-A Cream 0.025% online (L5, S1, S2)
* superior gemellus (L5, S1, S2)
* inferior gemellus (L4, L5, S1)
* quadratus femoris (L4, L5, S1)
* obturator externus (obturator nerve, L2, L3, L4)
* adductor magnus, lower portion (sciatic nerve, L5, S1)
* adductor brevis (obturator nerve, L2, L3, L4)
* piriformis (S1, S2)
© 2007 copyright all rights reserved http://www.stopmusclepain.com
Posted under Low Back Pain Treatment
This post was written by admin on February 14, 2009
Low Back Pain Banished
The Healthy Back Institute’s Back Pain Guide can help you identify and address the problem of, and find relief lower back pain
Getting Rid Of Lower Back Pain
Are you one of the millions of people who seem to be struggling with lower back pain and always seeking advice on how to get rid of lower back pain? Well then buy cialis online you have come to the right place. We are going to reveal some things that you can begin doing right now to learn how to begin getting rid of lower back pain. There are some things that you can do from the comfort of your home; however if you continue to have persist for several weeks and nothing that you do seems to be working; then i highly recommend that you visit your physician. They will be able to take an x-ray of your spine to ensure that you do not have any type of severe back problems buy Pravachol online that may require more assistance. Here are some home remedies that you can begin using to get rid of lower back pain. 1. Ice: You should know that ice is a great way to bring about relief from inflamed muscles in the back or any other type of injury that you could be dealing with. 2. Heat: This is a another great way to bring about relief to back pain. You should try alternating heat and ice to your back. If you do this try alternating both in intervals of 20-25 minutes for the best effects. 3. Over The Counter Medication: Aleve and Motrin are great OTC medications that can bring about relief from your lower back pain. When you do use them then you should follow the directions on the bottle to ensure that you are taking the proper dosage. Remember you do not have to live with constant back pain. You can begin today to learn how to get rid cialis natural of your problems. Visit our site below and find some valuable information that will answer all your questions about this ongoing problem.
Posted under Low Back Pain Treatment
This post was written by admin on February 12, 2009
Exercises for Back Pains
Specific exercises designed for lower back pain has proven to have brought immense relief for lower back pain, in most cases.
Importance of Exercises for Back Pains
In the modern days most of the people having back pains Stretching exercises best price cialis for back pains is important for people suffering from lingering pains of their back to alleviate the pain. These stretching can be done through several types of exercises for back pains more particularly exercises for low back pain. A lot of benefit can be availed of by a back pain sufferer in these kinds of exercises because it stretches the soft tissues which are the muscles, tendons and ligaments that can be found in the back and also in our legs, buttocks and those that are around the spine. Lower back pain exercise can, in most cases, provide the needed relief for back pain sufferers. To Cure Back pain: Medical studies showed that back pains sufferers who would be inactive for more than two days from taking a rest will instead undermine the healing of what causes their back pains. It is necessary that for a back pain sufferer, a form of physical exercise that would involve stretching should be made as a form of treatment cialis 20 mg tablets for his spine that causes back pains This should be made in an active manner that would result to the proper distribution of nutrients to the moving parts of your back such as joints and buy Himplasia online its ligaments, disc, soft tissues and muscles. Something akin to oiling the moving parts of a machine to keep it functioning properly. There are also other forms of back pain treatment, especially for those seeking arthritis back pain relief. Acupuncture for back pain is another promising area that is now making headway in the western countries because of its effectiveness in the treatment for chronic back pain
Posted under Lower Back Pain Exercises
This post was written by admin on February 8, 2009
What You Need To Know About Low Back Pain
Limiting ones movements and doing no exercise will not bring relief for lower back pain but only increase the risk of developing chronic symptoms on the other hand.
Lower Back Pain
by Steven Hayes
Three out of four people experience lower back pain. A majority of these pain symptoms normally subside on their own unless they stem from serious back injuries. Keeping fit and maintaining an active lifestyle can keep lower back pain at bay. Painkillers buy Fast Asleep Strips online can also alleviate pain symptoms. However, chronic back pain can develop in some people, which may make additional treatment necessary.
The Anatomy of the Lower Back
The lower back is mainly composed of muscles which envelope and connect to the spine. The spine is a column made up of generally circular bones known as the vertebrae. Between each vertebra are tough elastic discs which allow the spine adequate flexibility. Fibrous ligaments connected to each nearby vertebra also work to support and strengthen the spine. The muscles that surround the spine help it accomplish a wide range of motion.
Enclosed within the spine is the spinal cord which houses the nerves connecting to the brain. These nerves which intertwine within the vertebrae are responsible for sending and receiving messages from all the different body parts to the brain, and vice versa.
Types of lower back pain
1.) Simple lower back pain
The most prevalent type of lower back pain is the simple lower back pain, also known as ‘non-specific’ lower back pain. This means that pain symptoms are not caused by any other disease. A sprain, or an overstretched ligament or muscle can be a cause for pain.
So can minimal disc or facet joint problems that occur between vertebrae. Even for a physician performing several tests, it is impossible to determine the cause of pain and where the pain originates from. Because of this, nearly 19 in 20 cases of acute lower back pain have been diagnosed as ‘simpler lower back pain’.
A sudden onset of pain may follow the lifting of a heavy object, or after making an uncomfortable twisting motion. Some people wake up to lower back pain.
Simple lower back pain can range from minimal to severe. The pain may be concentrated on a localized region on the lower back and may spread to the buttocks and thighs. Lying prone on a flat surface can sometimes ease symptoms, but any movement of the back, like a cough or a sneeze can exacerbate the pain. Simple lower back pain is ‘mechanical’ in nature as it can vary depending on posture or movement.
Simple lower back pain can ease by itself within a short period of time, in a week or two. In 3 out of 4 sufferers, pain symptoms disappear entirely or are significantly reduced in a month’s time.
Nine out of ten cases report the absence or considerable reduction of pain within six weeks. Although the pain symptoms do improve, they may reoccur periodically afterwards. Minimal twinges of pain may be felt in one instance or another after the first big bout of back pain. Other sufferers experience a persistence of these minor pains for more than a month or two, giving rise to what is known as chronic back pain.
2.) Nerve root pain
Nerve root pain is caused by a ‘trapped nerve’ from the spinal cord that is subject to compression or constriction. Arising in less than one in twenty cases, the pain is felt along the course of the nerve and may travel down the leg, calf or foot. Often symptoms are more severe in the leg or foot than it is at the nerve origin. An example of nerve root pain is Sciatica, a condition where pressure is placed on the sciatic nerve, irritating it and causing pain.
Pain can range from mild to severe. Similar to simple back pain, symptoms can be alleviated by lying flat on a surface, or aggravated by back movement, coughing or sneezing. Other symptoms include tingling, numbness, and a feeling of weakness along the regions of the buttocks, leg or foot.
One of the causes of nerve irritation or pressure can stem from the inflamed conditions of a sprained ligament or muscle. Another is ‘slipped disc’, where the disc does not literally ‘slip’, but is manifested when its soft interior portion prolapses or protrudes out of a breach in the harder outer disc perimeter. This protrusion can put pressure on a nearby nerve and cause pain (refer to the separate leaflet on ‘Prolapsed Disc’). Other lesser known conditions may also cause nerve root pain.
Other Causes of Lower Back Pain
1.) Arthritis – this condition is caused by inflammation of the joints. When it occurs within the spine, it can cause back pain.
2.) Osteoarthritis – the most common form arthritis in older people.
3.) Ankylosing spondylitis – may be manifested in young adults, causing lower back pain and stiffness.
4.) Rheumatoid arthritis – can affect the spine as well as other joints in the body (refer to separate leaflet on the different types of arthritis).
5.) In less than one in a hundred cases, lower back pain can be caused by rare bone disorders, tumors, infectious diseases, and constrictions caused by other bone structures close to the spine.
Determining the Type of Back Pain
In the normal course of events, lower back pain may suddenly occur (acute onset), caused by simple low back pain. In most cases, sufferers bear with the symptoms and undertake self medication, with varying degrees of success. In case of doubt as to the cause of the pain symptoms, it is also advisable to consult with a physician for proper diagnosis.
Some symptoms may arise as a result of an underlying problem related to the pain. It is best to schedule an appointment with a doctor when the following signs are manifested:
1.) Patient is under the age of 20 or over the age of 55.
2.) Pain symptoms are constant, and are not alleviated by either lying down or resting.
3.) Pain runs through to the chest, and originates from the upper back, just behind the chest.
4.) Pain began gradually, and progressed to severe symptoms through the course of days or weeks, differentiated from simple lower back pain which can occur all of a sudden.
5.) Other symptoms may include:
Weak leg or foot muscles.
Numbness experienced within the region of the buttocks, around the anal area, or in a leg or foot.
Bladder or bowel disorders, like inability to urinate or incontinence.
Fever, loss of weight, and general feeling of poor health.
Recent occurrence of violent injury or trauma to the back.
An existing cancer diagnosis.
Steroid use for more than a month.
A generally compromised immune system (e.g., usually brought about by chemotherapy or HIV/AIDS).
Doubt about any of the symptoms manifested.
The Rare but Critical Cauda Equina syndrome
Cauda equine syndrome is a very serious type of nerve root problem that is classified as an emergency case. Although uncommon, this syndrome leads to lower back pain, inability to urinate, numbness within the anal area, and a feeling of weakness in one or both legs. The disorder, which requires urgent medical attention, is caused when the nerves at the end of the spinal cord are subject to constriction. If left unattended, Cauda equine syndrome can permanently destroy the nerves connecting to the bladder and bowels. As soon as symptoms of this ailment put in an appearance, it is advised to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
When Tests are Needed
When a physician has made an accurate diagnosis based on physical examination and evaluation of the pain symptoms, tests are usually unnecessary. Nerve root pain that occurs suddenly and subsides after a few weeks will require no tests. X-rays or back scans will show nothing out of the ordinary for symptoms of simple lower back pain. However, when nerve root pain remains constant or severe, or if there may be a suspected underlying cause for the pain, the doctor may recommend that an x-ray or scan be taken.
Treating Simple Lower Back Pain
1.) Regular Exercise
It is important to maintain regular everyday activities despite the discomfort. Although this may initially prove difficult because of the pain, increasing one’s range of motion incrementally can be bearable if not overdone. Goal setting can be a good idea to track progress and provide encouragement.
Medical advice in the past included recommendations of rest until the pain subsided. This has now been proven inconclusive as prolonged immobility increases the risk of developing chronic back pain. By continuing to move, faster recovery from pain is likely to occur. Likewise, past advice on sleeping positions – flat on one’s back on a firm mattress – has also been unproven in relieving pain symptoms. Current recommendations involve advising patients to sleep in a position and on a mattress they feel most comfortable in.
2.) Pain Medication
When pain medication is necessary, it would be better to take them on a regular basis rather than intermittently as needed. Regular doses work better to ease pain symptoms and enable increased activity in the sufferer. Some examples of pain killing medication include:
1.) Paracetamol – this analgesic works efficiently if full strength doses are taken regularly. Adult dosage amounts to 1000 mg, or two 500 mg tablets, taken four times in a day.
2.) Anti-inflammatory painkillers – some pain sufferers have discovered that these provide more effective pain relief compared to paracetamol. Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprogen, or prescription medication like diclofenac are widely available in pharmacies. However, anti-inflammatory drugs are dangerous for people suffering from asthma, high blood pressure, kidney ailments or heart disease.
3.) Industrial strength painkillers – like codeine may be taken together with paracetamol. One side-effect of this drug is constipation, and straining during hard bowel movement can worsen back pain symptoms. Constipation can be avoided buy cialis online by consuming fibrous food and increasing fluid intake.
4.) Muscle relaxants – work well if the back muscles are constantly tense. The muscle relaxant diazepam may be prescribed for a minimum of a few days to loosen tight back muscles that worsen back pain.
Physical treatments for Lower Back Pain
Physical remedies that include sessions with a physical therapist, chiropractor or osteopath can aid in providing short-term relief from back pain. Although not backed by scientific evidence, there have been cases where physical treatments have resulted in faster recovery from lower back pain.
Other Treatments
There are a lot of treatments for lower back pain, and programs for such should be monitored by a physician to determine whether they make symptoms worse, if pain continues for more than 4 to 6 weeks, or if the symptoms start to change. Trying different kinds of treatments for chronic back pain may be necessary until one finds a treatment that works.
Treatments for Other Types of Back Pain
Nerve root pain
The treatment for nerve root pain is similar to that of simpler lower back pain. Symptoms of this type of disorder usually disappear over a period of one or two weeks. Physical treatments may also provide temporary relief from pain. However, chronic back pain stemming from a ‘slipped disc’ may require surgery for immediate relief of the pressured or irritated nerve.
Other Causes of Back Pain
Treatment for other types of back pain would have to depend on the main cause of pain symptoms. For instance, pain caused by arthritis can be remedied by different kinds of arthritis medications.
Preventing Reoccurrence of Back Pain
There has been a glut of evidence that point toward leading an active lifestyle and regular exercise as the best possible solutions to preventing back pain. Aerobic activities like walking, running or swimming can help keep the body in a general state of fitness. Although there is no supporting evidence that performing back strengthening exercises can prevent reoccurrence of back pain, it is advisable to be well-informed about proper lifting techniques to avoid injury, particularly when lifting objects while in an awkward or twisted position.
A Summary of Back Pain Tips
Acute lower back pain, even if severe, is normally not considered critical.
Recovery from lower back pain is a speedy process taking as little as a week.
Although nerve root pain and prolapsed (‘slipped’) discs are an uncommon occurrence, they usually heal by themselves without requiring surgery.
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Keeping active as much as possible and continuing with routine everyday activities such as going to work, will hasten recovery from lower back pain. Limiting movement and doing little exercise will only increase the risk of developing chronic symptoms.
Should the pain be severe, initial rest may be necessary, but incremental movement is encouraged for a speedier recovery – something that constant bed rest will not provide. Warming up the muscles through motion is preferable to having them stiffen up from long periods of immobilization.
Bearing some measure of pain and discomfort may be necessary while returning to everyday activities. Simple lower back pain will not be aggravated by movement. In fact, constant activity will help prevent the development of chronic long-term symptoms.
Regular use of painkillers can alleviate the pain during the recovery period.
If pain worsens or continues for more than 4 to 6 weeks, or if other uncommon symptoms develop, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.
Posted under Low Back Pain Treatment
This post was written by admin on February 4, 2009
