What Is Back Pain?
Your back is an intricate structure, giving you the power to stand, walk, run, sit and lift. The ligaments of the lower back connect the vertebral bones, supporting and stabilizing this area. An unconditioned back is prone to strain when muscles and ligaments are overworked. Back muscle strain occurs when a sudden, forceful movement injures a ligament, which has become stiff or weak from poor conditioning or overuse.
Acute lower back pain is a common medical problem afflicting two-thirds of Americans during some part of their lives. Each year nearly 6 million Americans suffer from back or spinal problems, making back pain the most commonly reported health condition in the United States.
The back is made up of bones, muscles and other tissues extending from the neck to the pelvis. The spinal column supports the body's trunk and protects the spinal cord - the vast highway of nerves that help control the body's sensations and nerves. Bones in your back include 30 pieces stacked up called vertebrae. This is your spine, and vertebrae protect the spinal cord. Nerves from the spinal cord branch off to organs and muscles throughout the body. The spaces between the vertebrae are made up of round spongy pads of cartilage. These are the intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers when you walk or run. Ligaments and tendons hold the vertebrae in place and attach muscles to the spinal column.
Lower back pain can be anything from a lumbar sprain to an actual rupture of a disc. However, most cases of lower back pain come from muscle or ligament strain as a result of lifting, bending or overstretching. As a result of the injury, your back muscles spasm, causing the muscles to "lock" and develop pain.
Acute back pain usually means you have pain for a few days to a few weeks. Chronic pain lasts for three months or more. Chronic pain or pain with unusual symptoms could mean a tumor, herniated disc, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis or other serious diseases.
What is the Causes of Back Pain
Your back is an intricate structure composed of bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and disks — the cartilage-like pads that act as cushions between the segments of your spine. Back pain can arise from problems with any of these component parts. In some people, no specific cause for their back pain can be found.
Strains
Back pain most often occurs from strained muscles and ligaments, from improper or heavy lifting, or after a sudden awkward movement. Sometimes a muscle spasm can cause back pain.
Structural problems
In some cases, back pain may be caused by structural problems, such as:
* Bulging or ruptured disks. Disks act as cushions between the vertebrae in your spine. Sometimes, the soft material inside a disk may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve. But many people who have bulging or herniated disks experience no pain from the condition.
* Sciatica. If a bulging or herniated disk presses on the main nerve that travels down your leg, it can cause sciatica — sharp, shooting pain through the buttock and back of the leg.
* Arthritis. The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the hips, hands, knees and lower back. In some cases arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.
* Skeletal irregularities. Back pain can occur if your spine curves in an abnormal way. If the natural curves in your spine become exaggerated, your upper back may look abnormally rounded or your lower back may arch excessively. Scoliosis, a condition in which your spine curves to the side, also may lead to back pain.
* Osteoporosis. Compression fractures of your spine's vertebrae can occur if your bones become porous and brittle.
Rare but serious conditions
In rare cases, back pain may be related to:
* Cauda equina syndrome. This is a serious neurological problem affecting a bundle of nerve roots that serve your lower back and legs. It can cause weakness in the legs, numbness in the "saddle" or groin area, and loss of bowel or bladder control.
* Cancer in the spine. A tumor on the spine can press on a nerve, causing back pain.
* Infection of the spine. If a fever and a tender, warm area accompany back pain, the cause could be an infection.
Treatment of back pain
Self-help treatments
There are a number of steps you can take to help yourself.
1- Stay active - It's important to return to your normal level of physical activity as soon as possible. Staying active will help your back to get better, and reduces your risk of getting simple back pain again.
2-Stay positive - remember that back pain usually goes away quickly.
3- Set yourself goals - this will help you get back to your normal levels of physical activity.
Medicines
Taking a painkiller that you would normally take for a headache (eg paracetamol or ibuprofen) is usually enough to relieve simple back pain and can help you keep active. It is best to get into a routine and take this at the same time every day. Always follow the instructions on the patient information leaflet that comes with the medicine and speak to your pharmacist.
Prescription-only muscle relaxants such as diazepam may help with muscle spasms. Doctors rarely prescribe these as they can be addictive. Using a hot water bottle or an ice pack on the painful area can help reduce the pain. Don't put ice directly on your skin, as this can cause an ice burn.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists can assess your back pain and help to relieve discomfort, increase your movement and help you manage the pain, giving you some pain relief.
Manipulation
Osteopathy and chiropractic are treatments involving manipulation of the spine. You should always see your GP first. Your GP may then refer you to a qualified osteopath or chiropractor.
Back pain treatment at a pain clinic
If you have chronic back pain, your doctor may refer you to a pain clinic. Pain clinics work with you to help relieve your back pain by treating your symptoms and also by giving you counselling to help you deal with the pain.
Epidural for back pain relief
This is an injection of a painkiller or steroid directly into the bottom of your spine to decrease the inflammation, which may be causing the pain.
Complementary therapies
These can include:
1-The Alexander technique
2-acupuncture
3- counselling - if there are other issues to consider
Surgery
If your chronic back pain isn't helped by exercises, painkillers or manipulation, then surgery is considered as a last resort. There are different types of back surgery. Your doctor will discuss the different options with you in more detail.