New: All About Back Pain

What’s going on to cause the pain in your back?

Lower back pain is something that many people experience. Back pain is the number one reason people visit a doctor and miss work. Back pain can affect even young children, and is a major cause of disability.

As you age, your risk of experiencing back pain increases. Most Americans will experience back discomfort at some point in life. A small percentage of back pain can become chronic.

Augusta chiropractic treatment could be an option for these people.

What should I know regarding back pain?

Back pain can vary in intensity, from a dull, constant pain to a sudden, sharp or shooting feeling. It may develop gradually over time or can occur suddenly after an accident, lifting heavy items or a fall. Back pain can also be caused by too much exercise and not enough resistance to it.

The lower back, where most back pain is felt, includes the five vertebrae (referred as L1-L5) located in the lumbar region. These five vertebrae support a large portion of the body’s weight. Intervertebral discs are round rubbery cushions that act as shock absorbers in the spinal column. They cushion the bones and keep them from moving. Ligaments hold the vertebrae in their place and tendons connect the muscles to the spine column. Thirty-one pairs nerves are rooted within the spinal cord. They control the body’s movements and transmit information to the brain.

The majority of acute low-back pain is mechanical in nature. This refers to a disruption in how the back components (the spine, muscle, intervertebral discs, nerves) work together and move. The following are some examples of low back problems that may be caused by mechanical factors:

Ligament or muscle strain. Repeated lifting and sudden awkward movements can strain the spine and muscles. Constant strain on your back may cause muscle spasms if you’re not in good physical condition.

Bulging or ruptured discs. Disks act like cushions between bones (vertebrae), in your spine. A disk’s soft material can burst or rupture, putting pressure on nerves. It is possible to have a ruptured or bulging disk without experiencing back pain. The most common way disk disease is discovered is when you get spine X-rays.

Osteoarthritis can cause lower back pain. In certain cases, arthritis can cause narrowing in the space around the spinal canal. This is known as spinal stenosis.

If your bones are porous and brittle, pain can result in painful fractures of the vertebrae.

Back pain symptoms, whether caused by strain or misuse, can be short-lived and last for days or even weeks.

If your back discomfort persists after 2 weeks, contact your doctor. Sometimes back pain may be a sign of a more serious medical condition.

When a serious condition is ruled out, and especially if you are only able to treat symptoms rather than the root cause, chiropractic treatment may be recommended.

Home and professional remedies for back pain

The majority of back pain responds to home treatment and self care, with most cases improving within a few weeks. Contact your doctor if your back pain:

• Keep going for at least a few more days
• It is severe and doesn’t improve with rest
• Spreads down one leg or both, especially if the pain extends beneath the knee.
• Causes weakness, pain, or tingling on one or both sides of the legs
• Unexplained weight gain

Back pain can be a sign of a serious medical condition in rare cases. Seek immediate care if your back pain:

• New bowel or bladder problems
• It is accompanied by a fever
• This can be caused by a fall, blow on your back, or any other injury.

It is possible to rest from strenuous activities, but it can be helpful to move around, which will reduce stiffness, pain, and prevent muscle weakness.

Many products claim to be able to prevent or alleviate back pain, which is why so many people use them. Although there are many products that claim to help with back pain, such as special shoes or shoe inserts, it is not known if these products, along with specially-designed furniture and stress management programs, can be effective.

It doesn’t appear there’s one mattress that’s the best for back pain. It all comes down to personal preference.

Sometimes, OTC pain relief medication (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAID) is used.

Opioids may be prescribed for more severe pain. These medications, including oxycodone or OxyContin and a combination (acetaminophen/hydrocodone) of acetaminophen/Vicodin, act on the body and brain to reduce pain.

Although antidepressants such as amitriptyline may be prescribed, research continues on their effectiveness and evidence is mixed.

Cortisone injections – If other options do not work, these can be injected into an epidural space or around the spinal canal. Cortisone acts as an anti-inflammatory medication. It reduces inflammation surrounding the nerve roots. You may also use injections to reduce pain in areas that are suspected to be causing it.

Botox: Botox, also known as botulism toxin, is believed to reduce pain by paralyzing spasm-producing muscles. These injections can be used for up to four months.

Traction: To stretch the back, weights and pulleys can be used. This could cause a herniated or bulging disk to shift back into the proper position. This can relieve some pain but it is only possible if traction is used.

Physical therapy: This may include heat, ice, ultrasound and electrical stimulation.

As the pain eases, the chiropractor may suggest some flexibility and strength exercises for the abdominal and back muscles. It is possible to improve posture.

For back pain prevention, the patient will be encouraged not to stop practicing the techniques after they have gone.

Experts believe that TENS stimulates the body’s production of endorphins, which may help to block pain signals from the brain. Mixed results have been found in TENS studies. While some studies did not show any benefits, others suggested that TENS could be beneficial for some people.

Back pain surgery is extremely rare. Patients with a herniated spine may have to undergo surgery, particularly if they are experiencing persistent pain and nerve compression. This can lead to weakness.

A chiropractor can provide long-term relief.

Causes Of Back Pain

Although back pain can be caused by many things, your doctor may not be able to identify the cause. An experienced chiropractor is often able to spot it.

These conditions are frequently associated with back problems:

Strained muscles can often cause back discomfort. Strain is often caused by incorrect lifting heavy objects or sudden awkward movements.

Overactivity can also cause strain. Overactivity can cause stiffness and soreness, such as after a few hours of gardening or playing a game.

Vertebrae refer to the interlocking bones that are stacked on top one another and make up the spine. Discs are a type of tissue that cushions the space between vertebrae. Disc injuries are a common cause for back pain.

Herniated disks can cause severe pain. Sciatica is caused by a bulging disk pressing on the nerve which runs down your leg from your back. Sciatica can occur in the leg as follows:

Back pain can also be caused by spinal osteoarthritis. It occurs when the cartilage and joints of your lower back are damaged or degraded.

The osteoporosis process, which results in a loss of bone density or thinning, can cause small vertebrae fractures. These fractures can lead to severe pain and are known as compression fractures.

Although there are many possible causes for back pain, most of them are uncommon. If your back pain persists, you should see a doctor.

Back pain can happen to anyone, even teenagers and children. These factors may increase your chance of developing back problems.

It can be due to injury, activity, or some medical conditions. There are many reasons why back pain can occur in people of any age. Lower back pain is more common as people age due to factors like degenerative disk diseases and previous occupations.

Lower back pain can be related to the bony spine, discs between vertebrae, ligaments surrounding the spine and discs and spinal cord and nerves.

Computer use can lead to a hunched posture that can cause shoulder and back problems.

Back pain symptoms

The most common symptom of back discomfort is a pain or ache in the back. Sometimes, it can even go all the way to the legs and buttocks.

How to prevent pain in the back

Exercise

Regular exercise is a great way to build strength and maintain a healthy weight. Without straining the back or lifting heavy weights, aerobic exercise can be guided and low-impact. Talk to a doctor before starting an exercise program.

The abdominal and back muscles support you and keep you upright while you do your physical activities. They can be strengthened to help reduce strain or pain in your back.

Include core-focused strength training in your workouts a few times per week.

What You Eat

You need to ensure that your diet contains enough vitamin D as well as calcium. It is also important to control your weight.

Smoking

Smoking: An even higher proportion of smokers experience back pain than non-smokers.

Your Weight

Back pain can be affected by the weight and where you carry it. It is significant that there is a difference in back pain risk for obese people and normal-weight people. Also, people who have their weight in the abdomen area rather than the buttocks or hip area are at higher risk.

Your Posture

Poor posture can put extra pressure on your spine and cause strain. This can cause injury and pain.

Standing position: You should have a neutral pelvic alignment. Standing straight up with your head in front, keep your back straight and balance equally on both of your feet. Keep your legs straight. Your head should align with your spine.

Sitting posture: A good work seat should provide good back support, armrests and a swivel platform. Sitting should be done with your knees and hips straight. You can also keep your feet flat on a hard surface, such as a table or a stool. You should be able to stand upright and have support in your lower back. You should ensure that your elbows and forearms align with the keyboard.

Lifting is dangerous.

So that you can keep your balance, you should be able to straighten your back. Do not bend at your knees. Keep the weight close by your body. Straighten your legs and adjust your position as little as you can.

Your back will naturally bend initially. But, when you bend your lower back, do not stoop. And, be sure to tighten up your stomach muscles so that the pelvis is pulled in. It is important to not straighten your legs when lifting. If you do, you will be using your back most of the time.

Do not lift and rotate simultaneously. Keep your eyes straight ahead when lifting, and not looking up or down. Your back should be like a straight line that runs from your spine.

Moving things: It is easier for your back and legs to push things on the ground using your leg strength rather than pulling them.

When Driving

Your back support is vital. Place the wing reflectors correctly so that you don’t have to turn them. You should place the pedals directly in front of you feet. Make sure you take plenty of breaks, especially if you are going on a long journey. Walk around the area instead of getting in your car.

Bed

A mattress that supports your spine and balances your weight should have a firm foundation. Be careful not to make your neck curve into a pillow.

Everyday Carrying

You should avoid carrying heavy purses, laptop bags, luggage, or briefcases that place unnecessary strain on your neck and spine.

Use bags that have a more even weight distribution, such a backpack, to reduce the amount of things you need to transport. Use a bag with wheels if you are able to reduce the weight.

What Are the Risk Factors For Back Pain

Sometimes back pain is caused by a problem in how your spine, muscles, discs and nerves move.

Although age is a factor, there are other factors that can cause low back pain, such as injuries, poor posture and illnesses.

Age: Low back pain usually starts between 30 and 50 years old. As you get older, the likelihood of experiencing back pain increases. The loss of bone strength due to osteoporosis may lead to fractures. Additionally, muscle elasticity can decrease and tone is affected. With age, intervertebral discs lose fluid and flexibility which affects their ability to cushion vertebrae. Age also increases the chance of spinalstenosis.

As we age, the bones, ligaments, and discs of the spine can become less stable as we get older. All people experience some form of this, but it doesn’t mean that it has to be a problem. Not everyone will feel pain.

As we get older, the discs within the spine become less dense and the spaces between the vertex become narrower. An osteophyte is a small piece of bone that can form around the vertebrae and facet joint edges.

This is called spondylosis in medical terms and it is very similar to osteoarthritis, which can cause changes in other joints.

The impact of spondylosis will be lessened if the spine is kept flexible and the muscles surrounding the spine and pelvis are strong.

Health level: People who are not fit and healthy tend to have more back pain. A weak back or abdominal muscle may cause the spine to not be supported properly. Weekend warriors–people who exercise frequently after being inactive during the week–are more likely suffer from back injuries than people who have moderate daily activity. Research has shown that aerobic exercise, which is low-impact, can help to maintain intervertebral health.

Weight gain: Being overweight, obese or rapidly gaining weight can place stress on your back and lead directly to low back pain.

Genetics: Back pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including ankylosing spinelitis (a form arthritis that causes fusion of the vertebral joints and immobilization).

Factors associated with your job: Any job that requires heavy lifting or pushing or pulling, or involves twisting or vibrating your spine, can lead injury or back pain. Poor posture and sitting in a poor back support chair can all contribute to pain.

Children’s backpack overload: Overloaded backpacks with schoolbooks or supplies can strain the back and lead to muscle fatigue.

Your mental well-being can have an impact on the risk of backache. Anxiety, depression, and stress can make you more susceptible to back pain.

Pregnancy Weight Gain, Hormones, And Back Pain

Back pain can occur in any trimester during pregnancy. There may be several reasons. You should talk to your doctor if you feel the pain is related to something else.

As your baby grows, your center of gravity moves outward. To make up the difference in balance, your spine will move outwards. This added stress put on the lower part of your lumbar spinal column.

While weight gain can be healthy, even the small amount you will gain over the course of nine months can cause more strain on your back or core muscles.

As you prepare to have your baby, your body releases hormones which loosen the ligaments in your pelvis. These hormones can lead to pain and discomfort by causing your spine bones to shift.

Your Amazing Spine

The spine, also known by the backbone (or spinal column), is one the most strong parts of the body. It allows for great flexibility and strength.

It is made up 24 bones (vertebrae), each one on top of another. These bones are supported with strong ligaments and muscles and have discs between. There are also bones in the tailbone that run down the back. They are fused together without any discs.

Many small joints, known as the facet joints, can be found on either side of the spine. They run from top to bottom.

The spinal cord connects directly to the brain at the base of your skull. It also connects to other parts of your body via nerves that run between the bones of your spine. These nerves are also known by the term nerve roots.