Low Back Pain – Causes and Treatment Methods

Low Back Pain – Causes and Treatment Methods

The article discusses low back pain, its causes and various non-surgical pain management modalities used to treat the condition.

Pain in the lower back or low back pain is a common health issue, which affects most people at least once in their lifetime. In fact, reports from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) reveal that at least 31 million Americans experience lower back pain at any given time.

Men and women are equally affected by low back pain which typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.

Though pain or discomfort can occur anywhere in your back, the most commonly affected area is the “lower back”. This is because the lower back supports most of the body’s weight.

There are several symptoms associated with this condition. The type and severity of symptoms may vary from one person to another. Common symptoms include –  Muscle ache  Limited flexibility or range of motion of the back  Pain that radiates down your leg  Shooting or stabbing pain What Causes Low Back Pain?

Discomfort in the lower back area can be chronic or ongoing, or acute pain which is sudden and brief. Pain is usually considered chronic if it lasts for more than three months and exceeds the body’s natural healing process. Accidents and sports injuries are the most common causes of chronic back pain. But sometimes, even simple activities or movements – like lifting heavy objects, bending, and overstretching – can trigger pain. On the other hand, it can also develop due to age-related changes occurring in the spine. A sedentary lifestyle is another common cause of low back pain. Structural issues such as ruptured discs, sciatica, arthritis, scoliosis and osteoarthritis can also cause this condition. Other specific causes of lower back pain are:  Compression fracture  Degeneration of any of the many intervertebral discs (disc degeneration)  Muscle or ligament strain  Irritation of smaller nerves supplying the low back  Straining of the erector spine or the paired muscles of the lower back  Skeletal irregularities

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 Bulging or ruptured disks  Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal column  Irritation of the roots of the nerves that extend to the legs (sciatica)  Prolonged sitting  Exposure to whole-body vibration  Spondylolisthesis (a bone in the spine slipping out of position) Non-Surgical Back Pain Management Options There are different options for effectively treating low back pain. Reliable rehabilitation centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer the services of a team of pain management specialists who provide effective solutions for specific musculoskeletal conditions. Physicians, neurologists, orthopedists, chiropractors and physical therapists work as a team to identify the root cause of the problem and develop and implement a customized treatment plan.

As part of the initial treatment process, they will examine your back and assess your ability to sit, stand, walk and lift your legs. These assessments will help determine the root cause of pain, level of movement and amount of muscle spasms. Physicians may also use one or more diagnostic imaging tests such as X-ray, MRI scan, CT scan, blood tests, nerve studies (electromyography, or EMG) and bone scan to identify specific causes of the pain or serious underlying issues.

Based on the diagnosis, the team of healthcare professionals will implement a treatment plan featuring non-surgical modalities such as:  Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – TENS aims to lower or eliminate pain by means of a low-voltage electric stimulation that interacts with the sensory nervous system.  Exercise - Exercise helps in improving a patient’s strength, range of motion and mobility to a great extent. It generally includes a combination of strengthening, stretching, isometric and aerobic programs.  Ice or heat application - Ice packs help reduce muscle spasm and joint inflammation, whereas heat application relaxes the muscles.

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 Physical therapy exercises – These are exercises that stretch the sore muscles and increase their flexibility.  Epidural steroid injections – These injections deliver steroids directly into the painful area of the lower back to reduce inflammation.  Chiropractic adjustment – Chiropractors perform spinal manipulation using the hands or a special instrument to reduce pain and restore mobility. It involves the application of a controlled force which helps to realign the spine and surrounding muscles.  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen and muscle relaxants may be prescribed to ease acute lower back pain.

Low back pain treatment methods will differ from one person to another. The method of treatment offered will depend on how long the patient has suffered the pain, severity of pain and individual treatment needs and preferences of patients. Professional pain management physicians, physical therapists and neurologists will ensure that treatment is customized to individual considerations and needs.

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