Back Pain
(Part 1)
There are some of us who suffer from back pains. Let us have a look at these.
Fast Facts
Approximately 80% of the world’s population develops back pain at some point during their life. Back pain is one of the most common reasons that people see their doctor.
The cause of low back pain can be determined by a medical history and physical examination, and rarely requires expensive or uncomfortable tests. Sometimes, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause though.
The vast majority of patients will recover within a few weeks, usually by remaining active and exercising while occasionally taking pain-relieving drugs.
In some patients, back pain can become chronic. Lifestyle changes can be beneficial in successful management of back pain
What Causes Back Pain?
Most episodes of back pain are caused by mechanical disorders associated with accidents and lifting incidents, or the gradual changes associated with aging
Muscle strains are usually related to sustained physical activity such as shoveling snow, gardening or prolonged driving. Acute strain may also occur when completing a common task from a twisted or rotational posture.
Degenerative back disease often involves both the bony ports (the vertebral bodies) and the intervertebral discs, which provide cushioning between the vertebral bodies in osteoarthritis, both the vertebral bodies and the intervertebral discs are affected. The vertebral bodies develop bone spurs, and the intervertebral discs lose integrity. This often leads to back pain, stiffness, and sometimes, muscle spasms
The intervertebral discs can also herniate, meaning they slip out of place. This can cause back pain associated with muscle spasms Sometimes as the disc slips out of place, it can press on a nerve and cause pain related to this. This type of pain is usually not limited to the back, but rather can cause symptoms radiating down the leg, as a result of the nerve being compressed. Disc herniation may cause a loss of function of the nerve that may include a loss of reflex, sensation, or muscle strength
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the canal that the spinal cord occupies. This harrowing has many causes including bone spurs growing around the spinal joints, thickening of spinal ligaments, or bulging of a disc The narrowed canal squeezes the nerve roots causing leg pain, numbness, or weakness. The pain is increased by standing, bending, and sitting and may be relieved by changing posture and positions.
Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH), resulting from excessive bone growth, con affect the vertebrae from the neck to the lower back causing pain and stiffness
Less common causes of back pain include ankylosing spondylitis, tumors, spinal infections, and osteoporosis resulting in compression fractures. (To be continued)