Understanding Back Pain Causes And Treatment

 Back pain affects nearly 80% of Americans and is the most common form of back pain. Because they are based on the back for almost every move you make, it is vulnerable to injury. Back pain can even be debilitating. It is one of the most common problems that caused a visit to your doctor and be absent from work. In fact, it is the second leading cause of disability in people under 45 years.

Although people complain of back pain is not a diagnosis, but a symptom of an underlying disorder. There are two types of back pain, acute and chronic. Acute low back pain is pain with a new appearance. It occurs suddenly, usually because of an injury. This is the most common type of back pain. It usually resolves Back pain in less than a month Back pain, but did not last more than six weeks. Chronic pain is pain that can have a fast or slow start but persists for long periods of time. Although it may take three months or more, some people experience a life of chronic back pain. Chronic pain is the least common type of pain.


What causes back pain?


To begin to understand the causes of back pain, we must understand the spine Back pain. The back is made up of 33 vertebrae or bones. It is divided into five groups: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. The cervical spine (upper back or neck) consists of seven vertebrae. The thoracic (mid back) is 12, and the lumbar spine (lower back) has five vertebrae. The sacrum consists of five fused vertebrae, and coccyx (tailbone) has four fused vertebrae.

The vertebrae are held together by ligaments and muscles discs between the vertebrae. The disks are filled with a jelly center, which allows them to act as a buffer. The vertebrae link for stability and support Back pain. They protect the spinal cord and spinal nerves of the spine that runs through the spinal canal.

Because the neurological system is complex, it is difficult to determine the exact cause of back pain. The causes of back pain are divided into categories: mechanical, injuries, disorders or acquired diseases Back pain, infections or tumors.

Mechanical causes: These are problems with the function of the spine. For example, spondylolisthesis (disc deterioration of a vertebra to slide forward on another, causing the vertebrae rub together, causing pain). Other mechanical problems are fractures, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degeneration of the spinal cord ,Back pain and sciatica.

Injuries This category includes the most common forms of back pain due to an injury to the spine or the ligaments and muscles involved in spine. Sprains, for example, the result if a ligament that supports the spine is stretched or torn due to the lifting or mechanical unfit body, even twisted the wrong way, fractures can occur with osteoarthritis makes the bones become fragile and weak. Sever injuries can be the result of an accident or a fall.

Acquired disorders These are medical problems you may have been born with such as scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine) to other problems that were acquired, such as arthritis (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) which may lead to fractures; musculoskeletal pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerves); and even pregnancy.

Infection / Tumors-, although rare, can cause pain if it comes to the vertebrae. Two examples are osteomyelitis (infection and inflammation of the vertebrae) and Discite (Disk infection) .Tumors, although rare, can also cause back pain. These can be either benign or cancerous, but usually the result of a tumor that has spread to another area of ​​the body.


How back pain diagnosed?


In order for your doctor to discuss appropriate treatment for back pain, he will do a thorough medical history and physical examination. You must give a clear and concise description of your pain. Your doctor will need to know how the pain started, what it was doing when it started, how severe it is, it comes and goes or is constant, and what makes the pain better or worse. You will undergo diagnostic tests. The most common tests performed  Back pain to diagnose back pain are X-rays, bone scan and MRI. These diagnosing problems due to bone or soft tissue injuries. Your doctor may order blood and urine tests to detect infection. If your doctor thinks that pain can be caused by a nerve problem, then you have an EMG (electromyography) and the study of the nerves. EMG is an assessment of electrical nerve impulses and muscle response.


How to treat back pain?


The common goals of treatment are to relieve back pain and restore mobility. Treatment varies depending on the severity and type of injury. The most common treatment base which is used for strains or minor injury is rest. The heat can be used to promote circulation in the region and relieve spasms Back pain. Cold compresses can be used to reduce inflammation in the affected area back. Common OTC (over the counter), such as aspirin, Motrin, Tylenol and Aleve are prescribed to relieve pain and inflammation.

Long-term bed rest is generally not recommended because it can cause slower recovery and ultimately can cause other problems. Usually the doctor will gradually resume normal activities after 24 to 72 hours of rest. You could start with a physical therapy program should include heat, massage, ultrasound, individualized exercise regime. If the pain does not go away and interferes with normal daily activities, your doctor may order prescription medications such as Darvocet, Vicodin, Percocet oy anti-inflammatory agents to relieve muscle spasms Back pain.

If the pain becomes chronic and all other treatments have failed, your doctor may refer you to a specialist or back pain. Because the back is a complex entity, specialists are more aware of new developments in the treatment of back pain. Some treatments that may occur are epidural nerve block (injection of anesthetic, anti-inflammatory drugs, or steroids into the epidural space in the back to relieve the pain of long duration) and injections of a trigger point (steroid injection and anesthesia the muscle which is the origin of pain.) This should also provide long-term pain relief. Other drugs found, such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants to help relieve the pain caused by nerve damage.

Other types of treatment include:

The use of TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit. The electrodes are placed in 2-3 painful areas of the back and attached to a unit that provides a mild electrical stimulation in areas of pain relief.

Chiropractic adjustments back.

Acupressure or acupuncture treatments.

Relaxation and breathing techniques and stress management instructions.

Massage and basic stretching exercises to promote mobility and relieve spasms.

Yoga-Pilates and this can help relieve pain and stress. Certain yoga poses can help relieve pain in the lower back and help improve strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga is good for stress reduction and can help with the psychological aspects of pain.

This aquatic therapy or water can be very beneficial to relieve pain and improve mobility in people with chronic low back pain. No resistance movement in the water, and the water is soothing, comforting and soothing to the body.


How to back pain can be avoided?


Although some people say that you can not avoid hurting your back, most doctors agree that the most common causes of back pain can be avoided by following a few lifestyle changes:

Exercise: You will need to consult your doctor before starting an exercise program, because there are exercises like high-impact aerobics and weight lifting that can make pain worse back. Another exercise like swimming, walking and cycling can help overall health and strengthen your back. However, exercise should not be avoided, as it helps improve overall health.
lumbar support belts: Some people who work jobs that heavy lifting are routinely forced to wear the lumbar and training resubmitted to learn how to prevent lifting injuries.

Do not wear high heels.
Keep head and stomach while standing. If you stand for long periods of time, place one foot on a stool and switch your weight often.
Sit on a chair with good back support. Maintain good posture, sitting up straight and keep both feet flat on the floor. Make a lumbar roll to place a rolled towel behind your lower back while driving or sitting for long periods of time.

Use good posture when lifting. Keep the object close to your body. Keep your back straight and head with your stomach pulled in. Do not lift objects that are too heavy. Get help to lift heavy or bulky items. Do not bend over to pick something up and not bend your knees and lift your knees.
In conclusion, the pain can be difficult to treat, but there are many options out there for you. Specialists are new research daily. You can take care of the back to make healthy changes in lifestyle and to eliminate or reduce the amount of stress in your life. Maintaining good posture, proper lifting aid and educate you on how to avoid back pain techniques, you can avoid future back injuries.

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