What you need to know about lower back pain
An injury can cause pain or pressure in your lower back. Other conditions, such as sciatica or arthritis, can also cause it.
Lower back pain can be a common ailment. It is a common occurrence.
According to a 2020 study, lower back pain is one of the most common causes of absences from work worldwide and its leading disability.
An injury causes the majority of lower back pain. Some medical conditions can cause it.
Most people experience their first back pain between 30-50. It’s partly because of the changes in the body that occur with age.
As you age, the fluid between the vertebrae decreases. Discs in the back are, therefore, more susceptible to irritation.
Losing muscle tone can also make your back more susceptible to injury.
Good body mechanics and strengthening your back muscles can help prevent lower back pain.
Did you know?
Acute back pain can last from a couple of days to several weeks. Chronic back pain can last for more than three months.
Lower Back Pain Symptoms
Several different things can cause lower back pain and result in many symptoms.
The following are some of the most common symptoms:
- Pain when sitting or resting for long periods
- When bending down or lifting heavy objects, you may experience discomfort.
- Pain radiating from the glutes or hips
- stiffness when you first wake up or after a long period of inactivity
- numbness or weakening
Other symptoms are less common but more severe.
These include:
- Pain in the feet, legs, and back
- unintentional weight loss
- Fe
- Lack of bowel control
If you have severe symptoms or if your back pain persists for more than 72 hours .Trusted Source.
Causes of lower back pain
Various conditions, including chronic ones, can cause lower back pain.
Sprains and strains of the muscles
Excessive activity can cause the muscles and ligaments of the back to stretch or tear. Sudden movements may also result in strains or sprains.
Muscle spasms are also symptoms.
Herniated disc
The risk of injury to the discs in your back increases as you age.
The discs’ outer surface can be torn or pushed out.
Herniated disks are also called ruptured or slipped discs. The cartilage surrounding a disc can push against the spinal cord and nerve roots. The cushion between the vertebrae of the spine extends beyond its normal position. The nerve root can become compressed when it leaves the spinal cord.
Trauma and degenerative changes can be the cause. Pain from a herniated disk can last up to six weeks without treatment.
Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the nerve that connects the spine with the legs.
Sciatica may occur if a herniated disk presses on a sciatic nerve. Sciatica is a condition that can cause leg and foot pain. This usually feels like pins & needles or burning.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis is when the space between the vertebrae and the spinal cord narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord.
The degeneration of discs is often associated with spinal Stenosis. The result is spinal cord or nerve root compression by bone spurs or soft tissues such as discs.
The pressure on the nerves of the spine can cause symptoms like:
- Numbness
- Cramping
These symptoms can occur anywhere on the body. Many people with spinal Stenosis feel their symptoms get worse when standing or walking.
Unusual spine curves
The following conditions can cause abnormal curvatures of the spine:
- scoliosis
- lordosis
- kyphosis
These conditions can be present from birth but are typically diagnosed in childhood or adolescence.
This unusual curve can lead to pain and poor posture due to the pressure it puts on:
- tendons
- Ligaments
- vertebrae
Some people, however, may not show any symptoms.
Other Conditions
Other conditions can also cause lower back discomfort. Additional symptoms usually accompany them.
There are several conditions that can be associated with Musculoskeletal Pain:
- Arthritis Is inflammation of the joints.
- Fibromyalgia Is long-term pain in the muscles and tendons and tenderness.
- Spondylitis The Autoimmune Disease causes inflammation. It is a type of arthritis.
- Arthritis: Arthritis is a type of spondylosis. This degenerative disorder can cause loss of standard spine structure and function. The primary cause of this degenerative disorder is aging, but the rate and location will vary from person to person.
Lower back pain can also be caused by:
- Kidney infections
- pregnancy
- endometriosis
- Ovarian cysts
- uterine fibroids
- spinal misalignment
- Spinal infections
- cancer, such as spinal cord cancer
Diagnosis for lower back pain
The doctor will ask for a detailed medical history and then conduct a thorough examination to pinpoint the exact location of your pain. A physical exam can reveal if the pain affects your range of motion.
A doctor will also check your reflexes and how you react to certain sensations. They can then determine if the lower back pain you are experiencing is due to your nerves.
Suppose your symptoms are not concerning or you do not have any neurologic impairment. In that case, your doctor may monitor your condition over a few months before sending you to a specialist for further testing. Most lower back pain can be treated by simple self-care.
The following symptoms may require further testing:
- unintentional weight loss
- Lack of bowel control
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and lower back pain, seek medical attention immediately.
Image tests
You may be asked to undergo an imaging test so that a doctor can:
- Bone problems
- Disc problems
- Back pain caused by tendons and ligaments
Image tests include:
- X-rays
- ultrasounds
- CT scans
- MRIs
Other tests
A doctor may order a scan of your bones or a bone density test if they suspect that the backbones are weak.
Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Tests are two tests a doctor can use to identify nerve problems.
Lower Back Pain Treatment
It’s essential to develop a treatment plan once you have received your diagnosis and know what you are dealing with.
It depends on your pain and symptoms.
Home remedies
For the first 72 Hours, self-care is helpful. You should consult a physician if your pain does not improve within 72 hours.
Consider these home remedies:
- Heat Therapy
- Cold Therapy
- The RICE protocol (rest ice compression and elevation)
- Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, Motrin, or acetaminophen, are available.
- Warm baths can relax back muscles that are stiff or knotted.
Lying on your back can cause more discomfort. Try lying on your side with your knees bent. Place a pillow between your legs.
Place a pillow or rolled-up towel under your thighs if you can comfortably lie on your back. This will reduce pressure on your lower back.
Medical Treatment
Some medical treatments include:
- Medical appliances
- Physical Therapy
The following are some of the medications that a physician may prescribe:
- muscle relaxers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
- Corticosteroid Injections To Reduce Inflammation
- Chronic pain associated with cancer may be treated using narcotics.
Back braces and supporters are medical appliances.
Physical therapy can include:
- massage
- Stretching
- Strengthening exercises
- Back or spinal manipulation
The following are some of the most effective ways to reduce your risk.
In severe cases, surgery might be required.
Surgery is only recommended when other options have failed. However, you may need emergency surgery if you have lost bowel or bladder control.
The following are some of the types of surgeries for lower back pain:
- Discectomy A discectomy may be performed if a bulging disk or bone spur presses on the nerve root. During this procedure, a surgeon will remove part of the lamina (a bony portion of the spinal cord).
- Foraminotomy The foramen is the bony opening in the spine where the nerve roots exit.
- Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy (IDET) A surgeon inserts a needle through a cathode into a disk and heats it for between 13.5 minutes to 16.5 minutes. This thickens the disc wall and reduces the bulging of the inner disc and irritation to the nerve.
- Nucleoplasty: A surgeon inserts a wand-like instrument through a needle in a disc. The device is then able to remove the inner disc materials. The device also uses radio waves to heat up and shrink the tissue.
- Radiation lesioning. Radiation lesioning uses radio waves to disrupt the nerves’ communication. The surgeon inserts an insulated needle into the nerves, which is then heated to destroy the nerves.
- Spinal Fusion: The surgeon removes the discs between your vertebrae during this procedure. They then fuse the vertebrae with special metal screws or bone grafts. This procedure strengthens the spine and reduces pain. Find out more about spinal fusion.
- Spinal Laminectomy: A surgeon will enlarge the spinal canal after removing the lamina. The spinal cord and the nerves are relieved of pressure. Also known as spinal compression, this procedure relieves pressure on the nerves and spinal cord.
You may need to undergo surgery if you have endometriosis or fibroids (or cancer).
Exercises for Lower Back Pain
These four exercises are excellent for treating or preventing lower back pain. You can perform them once or twice a day.
Consult your doctor before adding any new stretches to your routine.
Knee-to-chest stretch
Knee-to-chest stretching relaxes your lower back, glutes, and thighs.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Begin by lying flat on your back, with both legs on the ground.
- Grab your knee and pull it into your body. Keep your left leg extended.
- Hold your knees in. Avoid lifting your hips.
- Hold for a minute or as long as you feel comfortable.
- Repeat the process on the opposite side.
Child Pose
The Child’s Pose is one of the most restorative yoga poses. It stretches the paraspinal muscle as well as the glutes and thighs.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Sink your hips backward, keeping your knees firmly on the ground.
- Push your heels deeper into your feet as you hinge your hips inward.
- If you feel comfortable, open your palms and keep your arms in front. If you find that too much, try extending your arms along your body.
- Hold for 1 minute or as long as you feel comfortable.
Thread the Needle
Thread the Needle is a yoga position that targets the spine and pelvis.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Begin with your hands and knees on the floor in a tabletop pose. Your back should be flat.
- Raise your right arm towards the sky.
- Insert your right arm through the gap between your left shoulder & your body.
- Hold for 30 seconds. Hold for 30 seconds.
- Repeat the process on the opposite side.
Superman
Try Superman if you want a more rigorous move.
Follow these steps to get started:
- Lay on your back with your stomach against the floor, and your arms outstretched in front of your body.
- You can lift your arms and legs. Your weight should shift down to your lower back.
- Hold your arms and leg up for 30 seconds, then drop them. If 30 seconds is too long, try holding the pose for less time.
If you can, move slowly and with care when performing these movements. Stop and rest if you experience any pain.
Check out these stretching exercises to help you reduce pain and increase strength.
What to do if you have severe lower back pain
Contact your doctor immediately if you are experiencing severe back pain.
If a medical professional has not yet identified the cause of back pain, consider discussing diagnostic tests. You’ll discuss your treatment options after you receive a diagnosis.
Seek immediate medical attention if your lower back pain comes with a progressive loss of neurological function or bowel and bladder control. You might need emergency surgery.
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What to do to prevent lower back pain
Lower back pain can be prevented in many ways. These measures can help you avoid pain or reduce the severity of symptoms in case you are injured.
Preventive measures include:
- Exercise the muscles of your abdominal and Back
- Losing weight if overweight
- Lifting Items Properly By Bending at the Knees and Lifting with Your Legs
- Maintaining proper posture
You might also like to:
- Sleep on a firm surface
- Sit on chairs that have been raised or lowered to the correct height
- Avoid high-heeled footwear
- stop smoking. If you smoke, nicotine can cause spinal disc degeneration. It also reduces blood circulation.
Speak to your doctor about lower back pain. They can help you identify the cause of your lower back pain and create a plan for you.