Table of Contents EdemaMarch 11,...
Health Blog | 3 MIN READ
Back Pain
Dr. Mau
Overview
Back pain is one of the most common medical conditions globally. The feeling ranges from a constant ache to sudden sharp pain. Back pain can develop and worsen or start from an accident, weight lifting or gradually evolve with age and degeneration
Roughly 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their life according to the National Institutes of Health.
The Anatomy: Understanding Your Back
The four regions of the spine
■ Cervical spine.
■ Thoracic spine.
■ Lumbar spine.
■ Sacrum and coccyx
Types of Back Pain
■ Acute Back Pain. a minor cause that suddenly appears and only lasts a few days or weeks.
■ Subacute Back Pain. a milder case that suddenly appears and lasts for a month or three
■ Chronic Back Pain. a severe case that may develop over the course of days, weeks, months and can lasts longer than three months
Who Gets Back Pain?
■ Fitness. Back pain is common in those who are not physically fit. A weak back and stomach can not efficiently support the spine. It is also common in those who suddenly return to exercise after a long break.
■ Weight-gain. Factors such as lack of movement and poor diet lead to obesity. This added weight can cause stress on the back.
■ Heredity. Family genetics may be the reason for disorders that cause pain.
■ Age. As one ages back problems become common, as bones degenerate.
Causes
Back pain can be a result of mechanical, structural and inflammatory issues with the spine.
Mechanical & Structural Causes
■ Sprain: stretching or tearing of ligaments that support the spine, usually from twisting and lifting incorrectly
■ Strain: an injury to muscle and tendon.
■ Scoliosis: a curve or twist in the spine.
■ Spinal Stenosis: when spaces in the spine narrow and create excessive pressure on the spinal cord
■ Spondylolisthesis: Where one of the spinal bones “vertebra” slips forward out of place.
■ Degenerative Disc Disease: As a result of aging the discs between vertebrae of the spine wear down.
■ Herniated or Ruptured Disc: Commonly at the lumbar level the discs compress irritating the nearby nerves.
Inflammatory Conditions
■ Ankylosing spondylitis: a specific kind of arthritis in the spine
■ Other kinds of arthritis in the spine
Other Medical Conditions
■ Osteoporosis: painful fractures of the vertebrae.
■ Kidney stones and infections.
■ Endometriosis: Build-up of tissue in places outside the uterus.
■ Fibromyalgia: Chronic disorder that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body.
■ Infections in the bones of the spine or discs between bones, which induce pain.
■ Tumors that can rarely occur on the spine
■ Pregnancy
Symptoms of Back Pain
■ Back Pain Upon Lifting
■ Increasing Back Pain When Resting, Sitting Or Standing.
■ Occasional Pain That Comes And Goes
■ Morning Back Stiffness That Decreases Upon Movement
■ Radiating Pain That Spreads Into The Buttocks, Hip And Legs.
See your physical therapist If your pain prolongs and you experience:
■ Numbness and Tingling
■ Alarming back pain that does not improve with medication
■ Back Pain After Injury, accident or fall
Back Pain Along with:
■ Difficulty Urinating
■ Weakness, numbness or pain in legs
■ Unintended Weight Loss
■ Fever
Home Remedies
Pain relief medication such as ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve the pain. Using heat or ice therapy may also reduce pain. Balancing between adequate rest and minimal movement to ease stiffness is a great way of managing pain.
Back pain treatment in dubai
Physical Therapy For Pain Management:
heat and ice therapy
Electrotherapy
Electrical Stimulation
Heat boosts the blood flow and nutrients to an area in the body
The waves penetrate the skin, generating heat that induces blood flow, relaxes the muscles thereby reducing pain and muscular spasms
These simulations block pain signals, boost blood circulation and strengthen muscles.
Traction Bed
The traction bed performs a mechanical spinal traction. It relieves pressure on the spinal disc by stretching and alining the spine to take pressure off the compressed disc.
Spinal Manipulation
A combination of moving and jolting joints, massage and physical therapy. It works by reducing inflammation and improving nerve function. The patient will see improvements in both pain and function.
Prevention: Lower Your Risk
Exercise can help patients in maintaining a healthy weight, master balance, control and core strength which help them eliminate risks of future spinal-injury.
■ Core Strengthening Exercises Strengthening the muscles that protect the back and abdomen will not only prevent future back pain but be used as a way to treat it.
■ Flexibility Exercises aim at improving the core flexibility in the spine, upper-legs and hips.
Diet Patients must ensure they are consuming enough calcium and vitamin D to regulate bone health.
Posture Improvement Maintain a neutral pelvic position when standing, sitting and sleeping
Lifting When lifting heavy objects or lifting frequently, you must allow your legs to do the work, not your back.
Bed You should have a mattress that allows your spine to be straight while supporting the weight of your shoulder and buttocks.
Lastly, flat shoes allow for less strain on the back.
People also ask
Pain is unbreakable and long. You feel tingling and numbness.You’re experiencing problems in
urination. You feel pain in certain positions.
Commonly, prolonged poor posture, improper lifting, and strains are common amongst all ages.
Common disorders include:
Arthritis of the Spine : the gradual thinning of the cartilage inside the spine
Spinal Stenosis : narrowing of the spinal canal that may lead to nerve pain O Disc Problems
such as a herniated or bulging disc
Myofascial Pain Syndrome : unexplained muscle pain and tenderness
– Stay Active
– Ice/heat therapy
– Physiotherapy
– Spinal Manipulation
– Maintain good posture
– Quit Smoking
– Maintain a healthy weight
– Anti-inflammatory Medication
– Medication Creams
Your physiotherapist will examine your medical history, your daily activities and conduct a few assessments to accurately diagnose and find the roof of pain.
