Lower Back Pain Causes and Treatments
Having lower back pain is a real problem for most people. There are a number of reasons for lower back pain. These include Arthritis, Non-specific muscular pain, Spondylolisthesis, and Cancer. Some of the treatments for lower back pain include physical therapy, chiropractic care, and chiropractic injections.
Non-specific muscular pain
Whether you are a doctor, patient, or consumer, you are probably aware of the importance of having a good back. The most common causes of low back pain are muscle strains and sprains. They can be caused by sudden injuries or gradual overuse. Symptoms may be relieved with rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, massage, exercise, or acupuncture. However, the best strategy is to remain active.
One of the oldest and most popular low back pain treatments is lumbar massage. However, this treatment can be problematic because of the risk of causing muscle spasms and loss of muscle strength. Rather than a traditional massage, you can try acupuncture or yoga.
Another popular treatment for low back pain is a combination of physical therapy and exercise. A good program will include manual therapy, a stretching regimen, and exercises designed to increase strength and range of motion. It should be mentioned that bed rest can actually worsen muscle stiffness. However, the best results come from exercise programs that involve movement and are done a couple of times a day.
The best part is that the results are fairly consistent. While no single study has been able to isolate the best exercise program, two studies have been able to show that a combination of treatments is the most effective way to improve low back pain symptoms. The most common types of exercise programs used are strength training, flexibility training, and aerobic exercise.
Unlike other back pain treatments, the best results come from patients who are willing to try. The most important part of this process is to encourage patients to do the research for themselves. A quick web search should reveal a large number of articles on the subject.
Arthritis
Several types of arthritis can cause lower back pain. One of the more common types is osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease. It’s common in older adults but can affect any joint in the body.
In addition to pain, OA also causes stiffness. This is most noticeable when you bend or twist your back. It can be treated by physical therapy, which can also strengthen your muscles and bones. Surgical treatment is another option, but it’s not usually necessary.
X-rays are often used to diagnose back pain. X-rays can show cartilage loss and problems with bone density. MRIs and CT scans can also show problems with muscles and bones.
Blood tests can reveal infections and other problems. They may also detect antibodies associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis is also known as reactive arthritis. It is a reaction to an infection, such as a bowel infection.
In addition to drugs, acupuncture is also a treatment for lumbar arthritis. Acupuncture can help you numb the pain and reduce swelling. It also helps to strengthen the muscles in your back and improve your range of motion. It is also important to take regular breaks from sedentary activities.
Another treatment is the use of an ice pack. It’s best to apply ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. This is especially effective if the swelling is due to physical activity.
Other types of treatments for arthritis in the back include surgery and physical therapy. Surgery is usually the last resort, but it can be a good option for severe arthritis. It can also help to relieve pressure on the spinal nerves.
Surgery can also help to stabilize your spine, which can help you move better. It can also be used to treat bone or joint problems, such as a herniated disk.
Spondylolisthesis
Symptoms of spondylolisthesis include numbness and pain in the lower back, thighs, and legs. It can also cause instability in the spine. In severe cases, surgery is needed to correct the condition.
Spondylolisthesis can be caused by trauma or degenerative disease. It can also occur due to genetics. If the condition goes untreated, it can cause permanent damage.
The condition is most common in the lower lumbar vertebra. This is the vertebra closest to the tailbone. When the vertebra slips, it puts pressure on the spinal cord. The spinal cord connects to the spinal column, which then connects to the nerves. If a vertebra slips out of place, it can pinch the nerves and cause a variety of problems.
A doctor can diagnose spondylolisthesis with an X-ray. An X-ray will show if a vertebra is out of place and if there is a bone fracture or soft tissue around the vertebra. If the slipped vertebra is pressing on the spinal cord or nerves, a more detailed CT scan may be needed.
An MRI scan is also used to diagnose spondylolisthesis. An MRI scan is used to see how the vertebrae are moving and which nerves may be affected.
Treatment for spondylolisthesis is based on the severity of the condition and the symptoms. Nonsurgical treatments include pain relief with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Other treatments may include physiotherapy or injections.
Surgical treatments may include spinal fusion, spinal decompression, or spinal stabilization. Depending on the severity of the spondylolisthesis, the spine may need to be fused to prevent further injury. Alternatively, spinal decompression surgery may be performed to relieve pain and allow more space for the spinal cord and nerves.
Ankylosing spondylitis
Those who suffer from ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are often afflicted with inflammatory low back pain. This disease is a form of arthritis, which affects the joints and ligaments that allow the spine to move. Symptoms can vary, and a patient may develop pain in other parts of the body.
A doctor will usually prescribe medications to help ease the pain. These medications will also help people with AS maintain proper posture.
The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and help people with AS maintain their normal level of activity. Medications can include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like naproxen, indomethacin, and piroxicam, as well as the newer, COX-2 inhibitors. These drugs may also help reduce inflammation and may help relieve pain.
Exercise can also help people with AS. A physical therapist can help people develop a personalized exercise program to help them stay active and flexible. Regular exercise is also important to help reduce the risk of developing other health problems.
Exercise can help people with AS maintain their normal level of flexibility in the spine. A physical therapist can show patients how to do simple back stretches. Some people find that swimming helps them keep flexible.
It’s also important to choose a doctor who specializes in arthritis. Your doctor can help you find a support group or counselor who can help you cope with the condition.
In addition to medications, exercise can help relieve pain and prevent ankylosing spondylitis from getting worse. The National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (NASS) has a website that includes information on a range of topics, including living with AS. The organization also has a mobile app that allows users to access information on treatment and living with the condition.
Cancer involving the lumbar spine
Whether you’re experiencing sudden back pain, or you have pain that persists over time, cancer involving the lumbar spine may be the cause. However, it is rare to have cancer in the lumbar spine. Rather, back pain is usually associated with injury or muscle strain.
Spinal tumors are abnormal masses of cells that grow in or around the spinal cord or spinal nerves. They can cause pain and numbness. They can also weaken the bones of the spine. If left untreated, spinal tumors can cause paralysis. These tumors usually spread from another part of the body, such as the lungs. They can also spread via the lymphatic system.
There are two types of spinal tumors: primary and metastatic. Primary tumors occur in the spinal column. Often, the tumor is benign and noncancerous. They can be removed with surgery. They can also be treated with chemotherapy. If the tumor is malignant, surgery is needed to remove part of the tumor or relieve spinal cord pressure.
Metastatic spinal tumors are more common than primary tumors. They usually occur in the thoracic or lumbar regions. They can produce symptoms that don’t get better with rest, such as nighttime pain. They can be difficult to remove completely.
Malignant tumors can press on the spinal cord, compressing the nerves and causing back pain. They can also cause blood-tinged sputum. In addition, they can interfere with nerve transmissions to the lower back.
In addition to causing back pain, cancer involving the lumbar spine can also lead to other troubling symptoms. Some symptoms include weight loss, easy fatigue, and bowel dysfunction.
Back pain involving cancer can be caused by various cancers, including gastrointestinal, blood and tissue, lung, and breast cancers. Other causes include cancers that have metastasized to the spine, such as kidney, stomach, and thyroid cancers.
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