Everything About Low Back Pain
Everything About Low Back Pain
Low back pain is the most usual problem faced by humans. A study conducted by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), states that around 80% of adults experience pain in their lower back at some point during their lives. Although the pain can be quite debilitating, in 90% cases, it is temporary and usually resolves on its own without any surgeries. The pain can appear slowly or suddenly and can range from dull to acute, chronic pain.
Symptoms
Sudden pain in/near the lumbosacral part of your body is the prime sign of low back pain. It is mostly confined to the lower back but sometimes can also radiate down glutes, hips or legs. The pain can be dull, dreadful, burning or combination of all of these. It can be constant or may get worsen with activity.
When to see a doctor?
However, low back pain is a common occurrence, but sometimes it can get severe if medical help is not taken on time. If your back pain lasts than a week, you should visit a doctor. If you notice any neurologic symptoms such as numbness, weakness, tingling or change in bladder function, you must see a doctor immediately.
Causes
Our backbone is a complicated structure of bones, muscles, joints and ligaments. There are numerous reasons such as sports injuries, pulling, lifting, twisting or sometimes the simplest movement can lead to back pain. The most common reasons are
• Sprains and Strains
Sprains and strains are a common reason for lower back pain. It occurs when the muscles and ligaments stretch or tear due to excessive activity or lifting something too heavy. It results in muscle stiffness and pain in the lower back.
• Sciatica
It causes when the sciatic nerve gets compressed in between disc bones. Since the sciatic nerve connects the spine to the legs; as a result, it causes sharp back pain that radiates from the spine to the legs and feet. The additional sign may include numbness or burning sensation that runs down the legs.
• Disc injury
With age, our disc bone becomes prone to injury. The disc acts as a protective cushion between bones, and when they degenerate, they start rubbing with each other, causing back pain. It occurs when you lift something substantial or a sudden twist in the back. This can result in constriction of the nerve.
• Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal column, putting pressure on the nerves and spinal cord. It happens due to the decline of the discs. It is usually common in people over the age of 50 years.
Prevention
• Maintain a healthy weight and diet.
• Warm-up or stretch your body before any kind of physical activity.
• Maintain proper body posture while standing, walking, sitting and sleeping.
• Do exercise that works on the muscles in your abdomen and back.
• Quit smoking, as smoking impairs blood flow.
• While lifting heavy objects, keep your back straight and lift it with your knees.
