New: All About Back Pain

Is there something causing my back pain?

Lower back pain can be a common problem. Back pain can be a major reason that people have to see a doctor, or they may miss days of work. Back pain is common in children as young as five years old. It is also a leading cause for disability.

You are more likely to suffer from back pain as you age. The majority of Americans will experience some back pain in their lifetime. Only a few people may experience chronic back pain.

These people may find Des Moines chiropractic treatment to be a lifesaver.

What should I know regarding back pain?

Back pain can range from a constant, dull ache to a sudden sharp, or shooting sensation. It can be sudden, like when someone is injured or lifts something heavy. Or it can get worse over time. It can also be caused if you don’t exercise enough or do not work out enough.

The lower back — where most back problems occur–includes five vertebrae in the lumbar regions (referred to as L1 through L5), which support much of the weight of upper body. Intervertebral disks, which are rubbery, round pads that cushion the spine and act as shock absorbers throughout it, keep the spaces between the vertebrae. Ligaments, which are tissue bands that hold the vertebrae into place, attach the muscles of the spine to it. Threety-one pairs are rooted in spinal cord. They control body movements as well as transmit signals to the brain.

Most acute low back discomfort is mechanical in nature. This is because there is an alteration in the movement and fit of the back’s components (the spine and intervertebral discs and nerves). Low back pain can be caused by mechanical reasons.

Ligament or muscle strain. Repeated heavy lifting, or an awkward movement can cause strain to the muscles and spine ligaments. Chronic strain on your spine can lead to painful muscle spasms in those who aren’t in good physical health.

Bulging disks or ruptured disks. The disks act as cushions between vertebrae and bones in your spine. The soft material in a disk can burst, rupture or press on a nerve. It is possible to have a ruptured or bulging disk without experiencing back pain. If you have spine radiographs, disk disease may be an incidental finding.

Osteoarthritis can cause lower back pain. Sometimes, arthritis of the spine can cause narrowing around the spinal cord. This condition is called spinal stenosis.

If your bones become porous, brittle, or break down, it can lead to painful fractures in your spine.

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

If your back pain doesn’t improve in 2 weeks, you should see your doctor. Sometimes, back pain is a sign of serious medical problems.

After a serious illness has not been diagnosed, it is worth considering Chiropractic treatment.

Back pain: Professional and at-home remedies

Most back pain will improve with self-care and home treatment, usually in a matter of weeks. Contact your doctor if your back pain:

• Persists for more than a few days
• This is a severe condition that doesn’t improve upon 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-loss

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
• A fever is often accompanied by it.
• You may sustain a blow to the back or fall.

You can rest after strenuous activity, but movement will help to reduce stiffness and pain, as well as prevent your muscles from weakening.

Many products promise relief or prevention of back problems, as they are so common. It’s not clear if special shoes, inserts in shoes, back supports, furniture designed specifically for stress management, or other products can relieve pain.

There doesn’t seem to be a single mattress that is best for back pain sufferers. It all comes down to personal preference.

The majority of nonsteroidal, non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (NSAID), can be taken over-the-counter to relieve your discomfort.

Opioids, which are stronger pain medication that can be prescribed for severe pain, are available. These medications include oxycodone (“OxyContin”) and a combination of hydrocodone (“Vicodin”) that affect the brain cells to reduce pain.

Amitriptyline and other antidepressants may be prescribed. However, ongoing research on their effectiveness is ongoing, and there is conflicting evidence.

Cortisone injections may be used if other methods fail to work. These can be injected in the epidural space around the spinal cord. Cortisone can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug. It reduces inflammation at the nerve root. The injections may be used to numb pain areas.

Botox – Botox (botulismtoxin) has been shown to reduce pain and paralyze sprained muscles. These injections last for approximately 3 to 4 months.

Traction: To stretch the back, weights and pulleys can be used. A herniated disc may move back into place as a result. You can also feel relief from pain, provided that you apply traction.

Physical therapy may be helpful in relieving pain. This can include using heat, cold, ultrasound, and electric stimulation, as well as muscle-release techniques to the back muscles, soft tissues, and back muscles.

As the pain eases, the chiropractor may suggest some flexibility and strength exercises for the abdominal and back muscles. You may also find techniques to improve your posture.

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

Experts believe that TENS can stimulate the body to make endorphins and block pain signals going back to it. TENS has been studied in a variety of ways. Some showed no benefit, while others indicated it could be helpful.

The possibility of back surgery is rare. It is very rare for a patient to have a herniated disk.

A chiropractor can provide long-term relief.

Reason For Pain In The Back

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.

Common conditions that are associated with back pain include:

Back pain can often be caused by strains of muscles. Strain is often caused by incorrect lifting heavy objects or sudden awkward movements.

Overactivity can also cause strain. A good example is stiffness and soreness from too much activity, such as yard work or playing sports.

Vertebrae refer to the interlocking bones that are stacked on top one another and make up the spine. Discs, which are areas of tissue that cushion spaces between vertebrae, are called discs. Back pain is quite common due to disc injuries.

Herniated or bulging discs can cause pain. Sciatica can occur when a bulging disc presses on the nerve that runs from your back down to your leg. Sciatica can also be experienced in your leg.

Spinal osteoarthritis can also cause back pain. This is caused by damage to the cartilage in your lower back.

Small fractures can occur in your vertebrae due to osteoporosis (loss of bone density, thinning bone). These fractures can cause severe pain and are called 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.

Anybody can experience back pain. Even teenagers. These factors may increase your chance of developing back problems.

It could be caused by injury, activity, or other medical conditions. People of all ages can experience back pain for different reasons. The likelihood of experiencing lower back pain as we age increases due to factors such a previous occupation or degenerative disk disease.

Lower back pain could be related to the bony and lumbar spines, discs in the vertebrae between the vertebrae. Ligaments around the spine and disks, spinal cord, nerves, spinal cord, lower back muscles, pelvic internal organs, the skin around the lumbar region, and the ligaments around it.

A hunched, upright sitting position while using computers can lead over time to shoulder and back problems.

Back pain symptoms

Back pain can be described as a recurring ache or discomfort in the back.

How to avoid back pain

Exercise

Regular exercise improves strength and helps control your body weight. You can increase your heart health by engaging in low-impact aerobic activity. Talk to a doctor before starting an exercise program.

Your abdominal and back muscles help you stay upright and support you during your daily activities. You can strengthen them to prevent injury, strain, or pain to your back.

A few times per week, incorporate strength training with a core focus in your fitness routine.

Your Diet

You need to ensure that your diet contains enough vitamin D as well as calcium. A healthy diet will help you to manage your body’s weight.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking: Significantly higher rates of back pain in smokers than those who are the same age, height and weight as them.

Body Weight

Back pain risk is affected by how much people weigh and where people they carry that weight. It is significant that there is a difference in back pain risk for obese people and normal-weight people. A person who carries their weight in the abdominal rather than the buttocks/hip area is at greater risk.

How You Carry Yourself

Poor posture can place unnecessary pressure and strain upon your spine. This can cause injury and pain.

Standing posture: Maintain a neutral pelvic position. Your weight should be evenly distributed on 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. Keep your hips and knees flat when sitting. You should be able to stand upright and have support in your lower back. If you’re using a keyboard to type, make sure your elbows point at right angles and your forearms face up.

Take care when lifting

Maintain balance by keeping your back straight, with your feet slightly apart and one leg forward. While bending at the knees, you should keep the weight of the body close to your chest. Next, straighten your legs by moving your back as little possible.

While it is natural to bend your spine at the beginning, this is not an option. Do not straighten your legs prior to lifting. Otherwise, your back will do most of the work.

Do not lift and turn at the same moment. Keep your eyes fixed on the ground while lifting so your back looks straight ahead.

Moving things: It’s better to use your leg strength and push the things along the floor than pull them.

Driving

Proper support is essential for your back. It is important to ensure the wing-mirrors are correctly placed so that they don’t need to be turned. 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. Take a walk and get out of your car.

Bed

A mattress should support your back while also supporting your buttocks and shoulders. You should not force your neck into an awkward angle with a pillow.

Everyday Carrying

The extra strain that heavy bags, purses, laptop cases, and luggage can put on your neck or spine, can cause unnecessary stress.

Reduce the amount of stuff you have to carry and use bags that are lighter, like a backpack. Use a bag with wheels if you are able to reduce the weight.

Risk Factors For Back Pain

Many times back pain can be caused by an imbalance in how your spinal joints, muscles and discs work together.

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. As osteoporosis causes bone loss, fractures can occur. Muscle elasticity and tone also decrease. With age, intervertebral discs lose fluid and flexibility which affects their ability to cushion vertebrae. The risk of developing spinal stenosis with age also increases.

As we age the bones, discs, ligaments and muscles in our spines naturally begin to weaken. While this is a normal part of aging, it does not have to cause pain.

As we age, the discs in our spines become smaller and the space between the vertebrae becomes narrower. An osteophyte is a small piece of bone that can form around the vertebrae and facet joint edges.

This condition is known medically as spondylosis. It’s very similar in appearance to osteoarthritis.

Keep your spine and pelvis flexible, and the muscles around them and your spine strong to reduce the incidence of spondylosis.

Physical fitness: Back pain is more common in those who aren’t physically fit. It is possible for the spine to be damaged by weak or insufficiently supported abdominal muscles and back. People who exercise regularly after being inactive for a week are more likely to sustain back injuries from “Weekend Warriors”, who often go out and exercise frequently. Research shows that aerobic exercise with low impact can be beneficial in maintaining the integrity of intervertebral disks.

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

Genetics: Some back pain causes, such as ankylosing-spondylitis (a type of arthritis that involves fusion and immobilization of spinal joints), may have a genetic component.

Factors that are related to the job: Being a worker who is required to lift heavy objects, push, pull, or twist the spine, and especially when this involves vibrating or twisting it, can lead back pain and injury. Poor posture or sitting in a slouchy chair can cause pain.

Backpack overload in children: A backpack stuffed with schoolbooks and other supplies can strain the back, causing muscle fatigue.

Your mental health has an impact on your back pain risk. If you are stressed at work or suffer from depression and anxiety, your risk of developing back pain may be higher.

Pregnancy And Back Pain

Back pain may occur during any of the trimesters of your pregnancy. There could be many reasons. If you have pain, talk to your doctor.

As your baby grows the center of your body’s “gravity” moves outward. To compensate for this shift in balance, your spine and back arch will be affected. This increased stress placed additional strain on the lower lumbar spine.

Although weight gain can be a good part of pregnancy it can also cause stress to the back and core muscles.

As you prepare to have your baby, your body releases hormones which loosen the ligaments in your pelvis. These same hormones can cause spine bones to shift, leading to discomfort and even pain.

Your Spine Is Awesome

The spine (also known as the backbone or the spinal column) is one of our strongest parts and allows us to have a lot of flexibility and strength.

It’s composed of 24 bones called vertebrae. Each bone sits on top of the others. These bones have strong ligaments, muscles, and discs between them. The bones that are located in the tailbone at bottom of the spine are also fused together. There are no discs.

The facet joints are small joints that run along the spine from the top to the bottom.

The spinal cord connects to brain via the base of skull. Nerves that run through spaces between bones of spine pass through these spaces to reach the rest of body also connect to the brain. These nerves also go by the name nerve roots.