Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.
The pain can often be divided into neck pain, upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone pain. It may have a sudden on set or can be a chronic pain; it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may radiate into the arm and hand), in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling.
CAUSES
There are several potential sources and causes of back pain. However, the diagnosis of specific tissues of the spine as the cause of pain presents problems. This is because symptoms arising from different spinal tissues can feel very similar and is difficult to differentiate without the use of invasive diagnostic intervention procedures, such as local anesthetic blocks.
One potential source of back pain is skeletal muscle of the back. Potential causes of pain in muscle tissue include muscle strains (pulled muscles), muscle spasm, and muscle imbalances. There are several common other potential sources and causes of back pain: these include spinal disc herniation and degenerative disc disease or spondylolisthesis, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and lumbar spinal stenosis, trauma, cancer, infection, fractures, and inflammatory disease. Radicular pain (sciatica) is distinguished from 'non-specific' back pain, and may be diagnosed without invasive diagnostic tests.
MANAGEMENT
- Heat therapy is useful for back spasms or other conditions. Heat therapy can reduce symptoms of acute and sub-acute low-back pain.
- Cold compression therapy is advocated for a strained back or chronic back pain and is postulated to reduce pain and inflammation, especially after strenuous exercise such as golf, gardening, or lifting.
- Massage therapy, especially from an experienced therapist, can provide short term relief.
- TENS. A TENS unit is one of several kinds of electrotherapy devices that use very small doses of electric current to promote natural pain relief.
- ULTRASOUND. Ultrasound is an extremely effective way to stimulate proper tissue healing. Sound waves are generated from a crystal vibrating inside the head of the ultrasound wand and then transmitted through sound conducting gel to the tissue. This allows the sound waves to break down unwanted scar tissue, increase circulation to the area, and help relax the musculature.
- TRACTION. Caution should be taken when applying traction to any newly injured area, and should not be performed in these cases unless specifically recommended by your doctor. Home traction units may be beneficial, but caution should be taken not to apply too much traction too quickly to the back, as this may initiate a spasm to the surrounding musculature.
- Exercises can be an effective approach to reducing pain, but should be done under supervision of a licensed health professional. Generally, some form of consistent stretching and strengthening exercise is believed to be an essential component of most back treatment programs.
- Back support. Back support such as Lumbopore, Cervical Collar and Dr. Backbone can help in reducing pain and improve posture.
Back Muscle Strain
Muscle strains or ruptures can occur in the back just like they can anywhere else in the body. A muscle strain (or tear) in the back is usually caused by a sudden movement or trying to lift something that is too heavy.
The injury however is often a long time coming on as the muscles in the back gradually tighten up due to bad posture and overuse.
These muscles go into spasm and do not get enough blood through them resulting in weakness. So when someone complains they bent down to pick up a piece of paper and tore a muscle in the back, it is not just the piece of paper that caused it but a gradual build up of tension over weeks and months.
If you have suffered a direct blow to a muscle, particularly one near a bone then you must treat it as a contusion.
Symptoms include: A sudden sharp pain in the back. Possibly swelling or bruising over the area of the rupture. Difficulty in moving - bending forwards, sideways or straightening.
Back Pain Exercise
i) Back Muscle Spam
Muscle spasms in the back can often be caused by a twisting or strain on one of the back muscles, which in turn causes involuntary muscle contractions. The pain is usually localized, meaning it doesn't radiate to the leg. The area may be sore to the touch, the patient usually feels better when resting. Although this often occurs when tense, tight back muscles are present, it can happen in any circumstance.
Among the most common causes of muscle spasms in the back.
- a sneeze or cough
- lifting heavy objects
- incorrect sitting posture
- muscle overuse, or injury
- dehydration
However, almost any motion, or even inactivity, can trigger muscle contractions that cause middle or lower back muscle spasms, as well as neck muscle.
i) Back Muscle Imbalance
Muscle imbalance occurs when one muscle or group of muscles, works harder than it should while other muscles don’t work hard enough. In simple terms, a muscle imbalance occurs when you have overdeveloped and tight muscles in one area of your body while the opposing muscles are weak and stretched out of their normal position. It may not sound serious, but it can cause a wide range of problems, including sore shoulders, low energy, an aching back and even poor posture.
ii) Spinal Disc Herniation
A spinal disc herniation, informally and misleadingly called a "slipped disc", is a medical condition affecting the spine, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring (annulus fibrosus) of an intervertebral disc (discus intervertebralis) allows the soft, central portion (nucleus pulposus) to bulge out.
Disc herniations can result from general wear and tear, such as when performing jobs that require constant sitting. However, herniations often result from jobs that require lifting. Traumatic (quick) injury to lumbar discs commonly occurs when lifting while bent at the waist, rather than lifting with the legs while the back is straight. Minor back pain and chronic back tiredness are indicators of general wear and tear that make one susceptible to herniation on the occurrence of a traumatic event, such as bending to pick up a pencil or falling.
EXERCISE
i) Spondylolithesis
Spondylolisthesis describes the anterior or posterior displacement of a vertebra or the vertebral column in relation to the vertebrae below.
In children, spondylolisthesis usually occurs between the fifth bone in the lower back (lumbar vertebra) and the first bone in the sacrum (pelvis) area. It is often due to a birth defect in that area of the spine or sudden injury (acute trauma). In adults, the most common cause is degenerative disease (such as arthritis). The slip usually occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Other causes of spondylolisthesis include bone diseases, traumatic fractures, and stress fractures (commonly seen in gymnasts). Certain sport activities, such as gymnastics, weight lifting, and football, put a great deal of stress on the bones in the lower back. They also require that the athlete constantly overstretch (hyperextend) the spine. This can lead to a stress fracture on one or both sides of the vertebra. A stress fracture can cause a spinal bone to become weak and shift out of place
Spondylolisthesis may vary from mild to severe. A person with spondylolisthesis may have no symptoms.The condition can produce increased lordosis (also called swayback), but in later stages may result in kyphosis (roundback) as the upper spine falls off the lower spine.
Symptoms may include:
- Lower back pain
- Muscle tightness (tight hamstring muscle)
- Pain in the thighs and buttocks
- Stiffness
- Tenderness in the area of the slipped disc
Nerve damage (leg weakness or changes in sensation) may result from pressure on nerve roots and may cause pain radiating down the legs.
EXERCISE LowBack Pain
Items recommended from our specialist for Back Pain :
1) Lumbopore
2) Hot Pack
