Lower back pain is a universal human sensation, almost everyone has it. The lower back, which starts just below ribcage, is called lumbar region. The pain here can be severe and is one of main reasons that interferes with daily life. Fortunately, low back pain often goes away on its own. If not, there are several effective treatments.
Mild pain symptoms
Symptoms range from a dull ache to stabbing or sharp pain. The pain may make it difficult to move or stand up straight. Severe back pain that comes on suddenly, usually after a sports injury or heavy lifting. Pain that persists for more than three months is considered chronic.
Emergency symptoms
If you have severe back pain after a fall or injury, you should see a doctor. Other warning signs include loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in groin, weakness in legs, fever, and pain when coughing or urinating. If you have any of these symptoms along with back pain, seek emergency care.
Lumbar tension/muscle tension or sciatica?
Back pain during heavy lifting or excessive physical activity is often caused by muscle tension. But sometimes back pain can be related to a herniated or ruptured disc. If a herniated or ruptured disc presses on sciatic nerve, pain may radiate down leg from buttock. This is called sciatica.
Reason 1 for lower back pain: work fatigue
If your job involves lifting weights, stretching, or anything else that stretches your spine, it can cause back pain. However, sitting at a desk all day can be risky, especially if your chair is uncomfortable or you tend to slouch, and can also lead to back pain symptoms.
Low Pain Cause 2: Bag
While you can carry a purse, backpack, or briefcase on your shoulders, it is lower back that supports upper body, including any extra weight you carry. So an overstuffed bag can put strain on your lower back, especially if you carry it day in and day out, and accumulated weight can lead to lower back pain.
Cause of Low Pain 3: Exercise, Exercise
Excessive physical activity in gym or on golf course is one of most common causes of back pain caused by muscle strain. You're especially vulnerable if you haven't been exercising for a long time and then suddenly end up spending hours at gym or on softball field on weekends, so it's important to warm up before exercising.
Reason 4 for mild pain: poor posture
Mom was right when she said, "Stand up straight!" Your back supports your weight best when you're not slouching. This means you should sit with your lower back, shoulders back and feet on a low stool for good lumbar support. Standing, balance on two legs.
Cause 5 of low pain: herniated disc
The vertebrae of spine are equipped with gel-like discs that are subject to wear and tear as a result of aging or injury. A degenerated disc can rupture or herniate, putting pressure on spinal nerve roots. This is called a herniated disc and can cause severe pain.
Cause 6 of mild pain: chronic disease
Some chronic diseases can cause back pain.
Diagnosis of low back pain
To help your doctor diagnose source of your low back pain, describe in detail type of pain, when it started, accompanying symptoms, and any history of chronic illness. Your doctor may not need to take an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI before starting treatment.
Home care for lower back painBack pain due to muscle strain usually goes away on its own, but you can take steps to make yourself more comfortable. A heating pad or a warm bath may temporarily relieve pain.
in bed
When your back hurts, you probably won't want to get out of bed. But if problem is muscle tension, doctor recommends returning to normal activities as soon as possible. Studies show that one to two days of bed rest can increase pain and reduce muscle tone and flexibility.
yoga
If back pain persists after three months, there is evidence that yoga can help. In one study, people who attended 12-week yoga classes experienced fewer symptoms of lower back pain than those who were given a book on treating lower back pain. These benefits persist for several months after end of course. This study shows that traditional stretching exercises are just as effective.
Therapeutic massage
Massage can relieve chronic low back pain, especially when combined with exercise and stretching. The researchers noted that patients with all three methods were able to move around more easily and experienced less short-term and long-term pain.
Acupuncture
Can acupuncture treat back pain? For those with short-term back pain, evidence is mixed. Studies have shown that these people benefit from both sham and real acupuncture. However, in other studies, people with chronic or long-term back pain did get better after acupuncture.
Drug therapy
Using over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen can relieve minor back pain. Pain-relieving creams can help with muscle pain. For severe pain or chronic pain, a doctor may recommend prescription medications.
Injection
If simple treatments and medications don't work, your doctor may recommend back injections. A procedure called a nerve root block targets irritated nerve. Back pain injections often contain steroid medications.
Surgery
If your chronic back pain is interfering with your daily life and other treatments have not brought relief, you may be eligible for surgery. Depending on cause of pain, surgeon may remove herniated disc, widen space around spinal cord, and/or fuse two vertebrae together.
Physiotherapy
If your back pain prevents you from being active for an extended period of time, a rehabilitation program can help you strengthen your muscles and return to your daily activities. A physical therapist can guide you through stretching, strength training, and low-intensity cardio to help you get fit without straining your back.
Strengthening back muscles
Two types of strength exercises that can benefit lower back are flexion and extension exercises. In flexion exercises, you lean forward, stretching muscles in your back and hips. During stretching exercises, you bend your back to develop muscles that support your spine. For example, squats. Depending on cause of your lower back pain, there are some exercises that you should not do.
Prevention of low back pain
There is no sure way to prevent lower back pain as you age, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
Both lumbar tension and sciatica can lead to low back pain, and cause of low back pain can be treated.
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