Physiotherapy

Backpain

What causes Back Pain?

Back discomfort is one of the common reasons people seek medical help. Individuals of any age may experience back discomfort for a variety of reasons. The bony lumbar spine, the discs between the vertebrae, the ligaments surrounding the spine and discs, the spinal cord and nerves, the lower back muscles, the abdominal and pelvic internal organs, as well as the skin around the lumbar region may all be contributing factors to lower back pain. Arthritis is another cause of back pain. Back pain can either be dull and persistent or sudden and acute. It can happen due to an accident, a fall, or lifting something heavy, or it may gradually appear due to the spine’s aging-related degenerative changes. 

Inflammatory diseases or other medical illnesses can occasionally bring on back pain as well. However, proper treatment can reduce the risk of chronic or long-lasting back pain. The Treatment can differ based on the cause and symptoms.

Back Pain signs & symptoms

Lower back pain symptoms may start gradually or unexpectedly. Pain might sometimes develop following a certain action, like bending or lifting. 

Back pain signs and symptoms include:

  • Stiffness: Difficulty moving, or a reduced range of motion is one of the more common symptoms of back pain.  Standing up from a seated position may be difficult due to stiffness in the back.
  • Posture issues: It may be challenging for people suffering from back pain to stand up straight. Instead of having torso in line with spine. Crooked or bent to the side are fine examples of poor posture. 
  • Muscle spasms: Lower back muscles that have been strained may violently contract or spasm after the injury  causing extreme pain and difficulty in standing and walking.
  • Numbness or tingling may accompany the stabbing, burning pain that radiates from the low back to the backs of the thighs and occasionally into the lower legs or foot (Sciatica)
  • Stiffness and spasms in the hips, pelvis, and low back muscles as a result sitting or standing for a long time may worsen the pain.
  • In addition, there are numerous other causes of pain, such as claudication pain (caused by stenosis), myelopathic pain, neuropathic pain, deformity, tumors, infections, and pain from inflammatory disorders.

Common Cause of Back Pain

There can be numerous causes of lower back pain. Occupation that requires heavy lifting, sports can lead to Issues with muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks, and bones causing back pain. Few of the Common Causes of low back pain are:

  • Sprains & Strains
  • Traumatic Injury
  • Fracture
  • Herniated Disc
  • Sciatica
  • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Scoliosis

Ways to prevent lower Back Pain

Lower back discomfort brought on by illness or structural issues with the spine cannot be avoided. However, chance of suffering a back injury can be significantly reduced by:

  • Keeping a healthy weight. Excess weight puts undue pressure on disks and vertebrae.
  • Stronger abdominal muscles: The core muscles that support the spine are strengthened by training regimens like Pilates.
  • Using Correct Lifting Technique: Using legs to raise yourself (not your back). Holding bulky objects snug against the body. When lifting, avoid twisting your torso.
  • Try to keep up with daily activities and remain active.
  • Stretching and exercising frequently to maintain flexibility and Strength.

Treatment for Back Pain

Physical therapy is recommended for lower back pain as it is less invasive than drug therapy or surgical therapy, and therefore the treatment of the first choice for low back pain. Physiotherapists at RCP Health can help with exercise therapy, such as fixation, thermotherapy, traction, and muscle strengthening, and provide guidance with everyday activities. The Physiotherapist can help using the following techniques/modalities

  • Fixation of the lower back by means of bleached cloth, corsets, etc., reduces low back pain by limiting the movement of painful muscles, intervertebral joints and discs and maintaining good posture so as to reduce the mechanical load on the lower back.
  • Thermotherapy (hot pack, microwaves) to help Chronic muscular low back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration, spondylosis deformans, ankylosing spinal hyperostosis, non-spondylolytic spondylolisthesis and lumbar spinal canal stenosis.
  • Traction for Intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar spinal canal stenosis, and lumbar intervertebral disc hernia
  • Exercise therapy to strengthen muscles that can be use for Chronic muscular low back pain, degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine
  • Guidance in everyday living to Strengthen bones, rest muscles and load reduction.

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