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| General Introduction |
Back pain is ranked second to headaches as the most frequent location of pain. Four out of five adults will experience at least one bout of back pain at some time in their lives. The most common site for pain is the lower back because it bears the most weight and stress from the body.
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 Causes |
What are the causes of Back Pain ?
A number of factors contribute to lower back pain, including poor muscle tone, excess weight - especially around the middle - and improper or heavy lifting. Poor posture and sitting or standing in one position for a long time puts extra stress on your back.
Muscle strains: Strained muscles, tendons or ligaments or inflamed joints may cause pain along your spine.
Osteoarthritis:This degenerative joint condition affects nearly everyone past the age of 60 or overloading, injury and aging can slowly deteriorate cartilage, the protective tissue that covers the surface of the joints of your vertebrae.
Osteoporosis: One in three women older than 50 is affected by painful vertebral compression fractures due to osteoporosis, a condition that causes a gradual weakening of bones.
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| Symptoms |
Pain that interferes with sleep. Weakness or numbness in one or both legs or groin area- can mean nerve compression by the back. Problems with bladder or bowel control can also occur due to compression. Typically there is a continuous ache in the back that is not relieved by change of position, it is worse in the morning. The individual is unable to perform normal daily chores or housework. Bending to pick up something from the floor can be a painful task.
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| Do's and Dont's |
If you must stand for long periods of time, alternate placing your feet on a low footstool to take some of the load off your lower back. When sitting, choose a seat with good lower back support or place a pillow or rolled towel in the small of your back to maintain its normal curve. Keep your knees and hips level. When lifting, let your legs do the work. Move straight up and down. Keep your back straight and bend only at the knees. Hold the load close to your body. Avoid lifting and twisting simultaneously.
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| Diagnosis |
How can we diagnose Back Pain?
Physical examination: Your doctor examines your back to determine where the pain is, what degree of movement you have without pain and whether you have muscle spasms.
X-ray: These images show the alignment of your bones, whether you have degenerative joint disease and whether you have a tumor.
Bone scan: You'll receive an injection of a radioactive substance called as tracer into a vein. Using a special camera, your doctor may be able to detect bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan. These scans can generate images that may reveal herniated disks of the spine or problems with bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and blood vessels.
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| Treatment |
How can Back Pain be treated ?
Medically Prescribed drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and muscle relaxants may relieve mild-to-moderate back pain.
Physical therapy: This may include applications of heat or cold, or gentle massage performed by a physical therapist. Once the pain subsides, your therapist can design an exercise program to improve your flexibility, strengthen your back and abdominal muscles and improve your posture.
Electrical stimulation: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may help stop pain by blocking nerve signals from reaching your brain. A physical therapist places electrodes on your skin near the area of your pain. TENS may relieve pain in your leg due to inflammation or compression of nerves in your back.
Chiropractic: This treatment involves manipulation and massage of your spine and back muscles to relieve mild-to-moderate pain.
Acupuncture: An acupuncturist inserts hair-thin needles under your skin. The needles usually stay in for 15 to 30 minutes. The insertion causes little or no pain. Expect to have several sessions. Research suggests pain relief may come from the release of endorphins, your body's natural painkillers.
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| Precaution |
Precaution
Exercise. Regular aerobic activities that don't strain or jolt your back can increase strength and endurance in the muscles of lower back, allowing your muscles to function better. These aerobic exercises may include walking, swimming or biking. When standing, maintain a neutral pelvic position. |
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| More information |
More Valuable Information about Back Pain
It is estimated that up to four out of five people (80%) will experience back pain lasting more than a day at some time during their life. Young people are more likely to have brief acute episodes of back pain, while chronic pain is more characteristic of older people. There is little difference in the occurrence in men and women. Pregnancy and child care increase women's vulnerability to back problems. Studies in the USA indicate that between 40% and 60% of pregnant women get back pain. |
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| FAQs |
Frequently asked questions about Back Pain
Which specialist should I see if I have Back pain?
You should consult an Orthopaedician or a General Physician.
What are the common causes of Back pain?
The most common causes of back pain are those due to muscular pain, disc pain, or arthritis. Most muscular pain is due to deconditioning and/or acute strain.
How do disc injuries cause Back pain?
Disc injuries stimulate nerve fibers on the disc sending a signal of pain to the brain. It leaks chemicals which are irritating to the nerves and can cause pain.
What type of exercises can help my Back pain?
Strengthening the abdominal and trunk muscles, and the core of your body, is one of the first steps towards improving your upright posture and alleviating back pain.
Does being overweight make it harder to get relief from my Back pain?
Being overweight places greater stress on the spinal column, and it increases the risk of having back pain.
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| Glossary |
Arthritis - Inflammation of a joint usually characterized by swelling, pain and restriction of motion.
Computed Tomography (CT scan) - A diagnostic imaging technique in which a computer reads x-rays to create a three-dimensional map of soft tissue or bone.
Ligament - A band of flexible, fibrous connective tissue that is attached at the end of a bone near a joint. The main function of a ligament is to attach bones to one another, to provide stability of a joint, and to prevent or limit some joint motion.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - A technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create high-quality cross-sectional images of the body without using radiation.
Osteoporosis - A condition in which bones become less dense, more brittle, and fracture easily.
Spine - The flexible bone column extending from the base of the skull to the tailbone. It is made up of 33 bones, known as vertebrae. The first 24 vertebrae are separated by discs known as intervertebral discs, and bound together by ligaments and muscles. Five vertebrae are fused together to form the sacrum and 4 vertebrae are fused together to form the coccyx. The spine is also referred to as the vertebral column, spinal column, or backbone.
Tendon - The fibrous band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. It is mainly composed of collagen.
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