Lumbar pain or back pain is an unfortunately common experience, with up to 80% of people experiencing some degree of back discomfort at some point during their lives.
Your spine consists of multiple vertebrae (small bones stacked atop one another), intervertebral discs and muscles.
These structures support your spine and protect the spinal cord. Any issues with these can cause back pain.
Causes
Back pain can be caused by a variety of things, such as mechanical and structural issues with the spine, inflammatory conditions or other medical issues. Common causes include strains and sprains, herniated discs, osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis.
Muscle and ligament strains can occur when you lift something heavy or move awkwardly. They could also be the result of poor posture that doesn’t support your back properly.
Herniated discs occur when the soft material in a spinal disc bulges or ruptures from its normal position and presses on nerves. This may cause intense pain in your buttocks and lower back, or in one or both legs at the same time.
Degenerative disk disease is a condition in which the disks that cushion your vertebrae begin to wear down over time due to age or injury; smoking has also been known to accelerate this process.
Facet Joint Pain: Fascial facet joints – the small, flexible joints connecting vertebrae in your spine – can become painful when they deteriorate with age. This condition, known as osteoarthritis, becomes more prevalent with age.
Fractures: Traumatic events such as car crashes or falls on your back can cause fractures in vertebrae. Furthermore, osteoporosis – a bone thinning disorder – increases your chance of fractures.
Scoliosis: Your spine can curve in an abnormal way, leading to back pain and other issues. Additionally, it makes standing or walking upright difficult without experiencing discomfort.
Other causes of low back pain may include a bone fracture, herniated or bulging discs and spondylolisthesis – when one vertebra slips out of place due to trauma such as falling. These issues are most often the result of an accident but could arise for other reasons too.
Lumbar Pain is more common among older individuals or those in poor physical condition, such as those with weak stomach muscles or an unhealthy diet. Furthermore, these individuals tend to be overweight and sedentary, placing additional strain on their backs.
When it comes to back pain, it is essential to identify the source and take proactive measures. The best way to do this is by consulting with a doctor who specializes in back injuries and nonsurgical treatments for them. A physiatrist is an expert in physical medicine who can diagnose your issue and suggest whether nonsurgical measures such as physical therapy are suitable for you.
Symptoms
The lower back (lumbar spine) supports your torso and allows for movement. It also houses your spinal cord, which connects to nerves in your legs, arms, and abdomen.
Your lumbar spine is cushioned by gel-like disks between vertebrae and boney structures called ligaments. If these disks become damaged or ruptured, you may experience intense back pain.
Inflammation in the muscles, tendons and ligaments supporting your spine is another common source of back pain. This can occur due to aging, heavy lifting or sports injuries.
Other causes include osteoarthritis and a herniated disc that presses on the spinal nerves. People with these conditions may experience chronic pain that gets worse with activity or sitting.
If you’re having difficulty moving your back, try to keep it as straight as possible and don’t slouch when sitting. Doing this can help prevent back problems and alleviate pain.
If your symptoms do not improve within 72 hours or worsen, contact your healthcare provider immediately. A doctor may prescribe medication to relieve your pain and other symptoms such as numbness in your legs.
Your doctor likely wants you to try certain movements in order to identify what’s causing your discomfort. For instance, they might instruct you to hyperextend your back and bend forward for 20 to 30 seconds.
It’s essential to remember that your doctor might be able to identify what’s causing your discomfort without running tests. They could tell you the symptoms are indicative of an urgent condition like an infection that must be addressed right away.
In some cases, the pain could be indicative of a cancerous growth in your lumbar region. Your doctor will inspect for signs of the disease and then administer antibiotics to eliminate any bacteria causing the issue.
Most lumbar spine problems are treatable with nonsurgical methods, such as rest, ice and physical therapy. Your healthcare provider will work together with you to find the appropriate combination of treatments tailored to your condition and recovery goals.
Lumbar Pain Treatment
Back pain is a very common occurrence and may be the result of either a muscle strain or other physical injury, but it could also be indicative of a chronic condition. Therefore, getting diagnosed by either a doctor or physiotherapist as soon as possible is paramount; treatment may need to begin sooner rather than later.
At your checkup, the doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask you to move your back in certain ways to determine which area is affected. They’ll also look for any other signs and symptoms such as weakness or numbness in the arms or legs.
They’ll also attempt to determine if your back pain is caused by spinal stenosis, which narrows the space in the spine where spinal nerves reside. This is a common cause of backache that can be managed either with medication or surgery.
Non-surgical treatments for back pain may include taking painkillers, staying active and doing specific exercises. If these methods are ineffective, doctors can suggest other possible solutions.
Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT): CBT is an outpatient treatment that assists people in learning how to better cope with pain and anxiety. It may teach you relaxation techniques and cultivate a positive outlook, helping reduce the likelihood of back pain recurrences.
Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises to strengthen muscles and correct posture, helping prevent back pain from returning. They may also educate you on the significance of maintaining a good home care routine for back care, such as avoiding sitting or standing for prolonged periods of time and stretching regularly.
Cortisone injections: When other measures don’t work, doctors can inject cortisone around the spinal cord and nerve roots to reduce inflammation. This may be effective for a month or two, but eventually wear off.
Spinal Fusion: If non-surgical treatments are ineffective, surgeons may resort to spinal fusion surgery in order to create more space in the spine and relieve pain and restore movement. This involves inserting a piece of bone called the lamina into one or more vertebrae and connecting them together, relieving pressure off spinal nerves.
Lumbar Pain Prevention
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent back pain. Eating balanced meals, exercising regularly and caring for your overall wellbeing all help alleviate symptoms associated with back pain. Furthermore, avoid activities which put strain on the spine such as lifting or twisting objects.
Exercises that strengthen back and abdominal muscles can reduce the likelihood of injury. They also enhance flexibility and balance.
Maintaining a healthy weight can also be beneficial. Doing so may reduce the likelihood of developing osteoporosis, an ailment in which bones in the spine become weak and brittle, increasing your likelihood of experiencing back issues.
Other risk factors for disc damage include age, obesity, job-related activities that require bending or lifting and sedentary living. All these things can contribute to disc wear and irritation in your vertebrae (soft rubbery tissue cushioning them).
If you are experiencing back pain, consult your doctor about the source. Your physician can perform a physical exam to pinpoint where it is originating and may ask you to bend over or lift something to see if there is any discomfort. He may also administer an advanced test called a spinal tap in order to pinpoint exactly what’s causing your discomfort.
At your physical exam, your doctor will examine your posture and look for signs of injury such as a herniated disc or narrowing in your spinal canal (spinal stenosis). If these symptoms arise, they can suggest specific exercises and other treatments to alleviate pain.
Another common cause of lumbar pain is an injury to the ligaments or bones connecting vertebrae. This could happen from a fall, sports injury, arthritis and other causes as well.
Your doctor may suggest taking medication to reduce inflammation or alleviate pain, which can aid in your recovery and provide lasting comfort.
Some medications can reduce the number of painful episodes that happen each week, making them an essential component of treating lumbar pain. These medicines could include over-the-counter or prescription drugs, topical cream or gel, or injection.
Recommended readings:
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- What Is a Vertebrate?
- Dorsalgia
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- Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar
