Back Bone Pain

Back pain is a common reason for absence from work and doctor visits. Although back pain may be painful and uncomfortable, it is not usually serious.

Even though back pain can affect people of any age, it is significantly more common among adults aged between 35 and 55 years. Experts say that back pain is associated with the way our bones, muscles and ligaments in our backs work together.

Pain in the lower back may be linked to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, lower back muscles, abdomen and pelvic internal organs, and the skin around the lumbar area. Pain in the upper back may be due to disorders of the aorta, tumors in the chest, and spine inflammation.

Back pain Risk factors:

A risk factor is something which increases the likelihood of developing a condition or disease. For example, obesitysignificantly raises the risk of developing diabetes. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for diabetes .

The following factors are linked to a higher risk of developing low back pain:

• A mentally stressful job
• Pregnancy – pregnant women are much more likely to get back pain
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Age – older adults are more susceptible than young adults or children
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Gender – back pain is more common among females than males
• Obesity/overweight
• Smoking
• Strenuous physical exercise (especially if not done properly)
• Strenuous physical work.

Causes of back pain

The human back is composed of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks and bones – the segments of our spine are cushioned with cartilage-like pads. Problems with any of these components can lead to back pain. In some cases of back pain, its cause is never found.

Strain – the most common causes of back pain are:

Lifting something in an improper manner is a common cause of back pain.

• Strained muscles
• Strained ligaments
• Lifting something improperly
• Lifting something that is too heavy
• The result of an abrupt and awkward movement
• A muscle spasm.

Treatments: Treatment for lower back pain depends upon the patient’s history and the type and severity of pain. The vast majority of lower back pain cases get better within six weeks without surgery, and lower back pain exercises are almost always part of a treatment plan.

If pain persists or worsens, more involved diagnostic and surgical procedures may be recommended.

• Rest. Ceasing activity for a few days allows injured tissue and even nerve roots to begin to heal, which in turn will help relieve lower back pain. However, more than a few days of rest can lead to a weakening of the muscles, and weak muscles have to struggle to adequately support the spine. Patients who do not regularly exercise to build strength and flexibility are more likely to experience recurrent or prolonged lower back pain.
• Heat and Ice Packs. Heat and/or cold therapy helps relieve most types of low back pain by reducing inflammation. Often patients use ice, but some prefer heat. Both may be used alternately.
• Medications. A wide variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications is available to help reduce lower back pain. Many medications reduce inflammation, which is often a cause of pain, while others work to inhibit the transmission of pain signals from reaching the brain. Each medication has multiple unique risks, possible side effects and drug (or food or supplement) interactions, which need to be evaluated by a physician.

Exercise for Lower Back Pain:

Exercise is a key element of almost any lower back pain treatment plan. Typically an exercise program will be developed and taught by a spine health professional, such as a physical therapist, chiropractor, or physiatrist, and will include three components: aerobic conditioning, stretching, and strengthening. The exercises are best done through a controlled, progressive program, with the goal of building toward a stronger, more flexible spine.