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May 13, 2006
Lower back pain: Causes and risk factors
by SirGan
 Back pain is acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Although many people don’t realize this, in the US, low back pain is one of the most common conditions and one of the leading causes of physician visits. In fact, at least four out of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. Pain felt in your lower back may come from the spine, muscles, nerves, or other structures in that region. It may also radiate from other areas like your mid or upper back, a hernia in the groin, or a problem in the testicles or ovaries. It is important to note that many types of low back pain have no known anatomical cause, but the pain is still real and needs to be treated.
From where the pain comes fromThe following parts of spinal anatomy can cause pain:
Possible causes of lower back painLower back region bears most of the weight and stress of your body. That’s why, back pain most often occurs from strained back muscles and ligaments, from improper or heavy lifting, or after a sudden awkward movement. Sometimes a muscle spasm can cause back pain. Often, there's an accumulation of stress with one particular event unleashing the pain. In many cases, there may not be an obvious cause. There are several other conditions not related to muscles and ligament that can cause lower back pain and some of the most common are:
There are also several other, although very rare, conditions that can cause low back pain and some of the most common are:
This is one very serious neurological problem causing weakness in the legs, numbness in the "saddle" or groin area, and loss of bowel or bladder control. It is caused by some damage in the lowest parts of the spine called cauda equina or “horse tail”!
A tumor on the spine can press on a nerve causing back pain. These tumors are very rare but it is possible that they can cause very strong back pain!
Several possible spine infections can cause strong back pain!
It is reasonable to assume that every possible damage to the bones, ligaments, or muscles of the back can cause severe pain.
Most common symptomsBeside pain in lower back parts, patients often experience several other symptoms such as:
Risk factors for developing low back painYou are at particular risk for low back pain if you:
Back pain from organs in the pelvis or elsewhere include:
Diagnosis of low back painAlthough it might sound illogical, because diagnostic tests aren't usually necessary to confirm the back pain, several tests could help determine where the pain is, what degree of motion patient has without pain and whether a patient have muscle spasms. They will also help rule out more serious causes of back pain.
This is still very good method for diagnosis of common back pain causes associated with bones! These images show the alignment of your bones and whether you have degenerative joint disease or broken bones. Problem is that these X-ray images won't directly show problems with your spinal cord, muscles, fibrous tissues (fascia), nerves or disks.
These are probably the best possible diagnostic tools for low back pain. These scans can generate images that may reveal herniated disks or problems with bones, muscles, tissue, tendons, nerves, ligaments and blood vessels.
In rare cases, this bone scan may be used in order to detect bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is one degenerative disease of the bones caused by lack of calcium, aging and some hormonal changes! During the procedure, patient receives an injection of a small amount of a radioactive substance (tracer) into one of your veins.
This test measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of your muscles. Studies of nerve-conduction pathways can confirm nerve compression caused by herniated disks or narrowing of spinal canal (spinal stenosis). It is also very good and effective diagnostic tool!
Prevention measures
Tips for preventing back pain
Self careBack pain usually improves on its own, or with home treatment, within a few weeks, unless there's a serious medical condition causing the pain. Several self-care procedures can help to treat the pain at home!
Although many people don’t know it- the fact is that prolonged bed rest isn't a good idea for back pain. It is proven that light activity speeds healing and recovery.
It is proven that sources of heat and cold, such as a hot bath and hot or cold compresses can soothe sore and inflamed muscles. All doctors recommend that, immediately after injuring your back, ice should be applied several times a day, for up to 20 minutes at a time.
Several experts claim that patient shouldn’t suffer from any kind of pain. That’s why non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, aspirin, others) and other medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) should be used in order to control pain, swelling, and stiffness.
This type of mechanical support should be very helpful! Braces, corsets or back belts are available over the counter at pharmacies and medical supply stores. It is proven that they can provide warmth, comfort and a degree of support to back. But, every patient should know that back muscles may weaken with prolonged use of a brace or corset. It's best to use a brace or corset only for short periods or during back-straining activities.
Patients should know that some people with low pack pain report that acupuncture helps relieve their symptoms. It is about inserting sterilized stainless steel needles into the skin at specific points on the body.
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