Low Back Pain - Overview

Approximately half a million people are afflicted with back pain in the United States. The causes of back pain are many and thus they can be difficult to diagnose. The most common cause of chronic back pain (pain that never quite goes away) is degenerative disc disease at the lumbar spine.

Although most back pain can be managed with non-surgical treatment, there are more than 1 million spinal surgeries performed for the treatment of degenerative spinal disorders. Although the vast majority of individuals suffering from back pain will fully recover within 1 month (90%), low back pain may also be chronic and leads to long-term disability.

Back problems are one of the most common ailments affecting adults in the United States. In any given year, 50% of the working population will experience back pain, with 80% reporting low back pain at some time during their lifetime.

Low Back Pain - Anatomy and Function
Understanding the fundamental anatomy and function of the spine is key to understanding injuries and diseases of the spine. The spine has several special roles in the human body:

1. Protects the spinal cord
2. Provides the support needed to walk upright
3. Enables the torso to bend
4. Supports the head

The Sections of the Spine

Cervical - commonly referred to as the neck. There are seven cervical vertebrae (doughnut-shaped bones) that connect the skull to the rest of the spine.

Thoracic - The spine's thoracic section begins at the shoulders and extends down to the end of the rib cage. There are 12 vertebrae in the upper back, with shock-absorbing discs between them. Scoliosis commonly affects the thoracic section of the spine.

Lumbar - The lumbar section, or low back, has five vertebrae. These vertebrae, separated by discs, are the largest in the spine. Degeneration most often occurs in the lumbar section, usually at the lower discs. In addition, the facet joints can become arthritic, causing pain.

Sacrum - Five vertebrae join together to form the sacrum, a wedge-shaped part of the spine that forms part of the pelvis. The sacrum joins the rest of the pelvic bone at the sacroiliac joint, which can become inflamed causing sacroiliitis.

Coccyx - often referred to as the tailbone, consists of four vertebrae.

Vertebrae - The spine has 33 doughnut-shaped bones called vertebrae. Each vertebra is assigned a letter and a number that identifies its location in the spine. When someone has osteoporosis, minor trauma can cause these bones to fracture.

Discs - Between each pair of vertebrae is a disc made of spongy cartilage. Intervertebral discs act as shock-absorbing cushions between the vertebrae. When the disc degenerates, it can be pushed posteriorly, causing disc herniation.

Causes of Low Back Pain

Any part of the low back's complex system (vertebrae, discs, nerves, facet joints and muscles) can become a source of pain, as can nearby structures. The following are some causes of low back pain:

Muscle or ligament strain

Degenerative joint disease (facet joints)

Disk disease (herniation)

Spinal stenosis (spinal canal is too tight)

Spondylolisthesis (vertebral bodies are out of alignment)

Osteoporosis with compression fracture

Cancer

Infection

Organ-related pain

Back Pain and Herniated Discs

A herniated disc occurs when a fragment of the inner gel-like substance, called the nucleus, is pushed out of the outer disc margin, into the spinal canal through a tear or rupture. In the herniated disc's new position, the disc presses on a spinal nerve, producing pain going down the corresponding leg.

Disc herniations are a common cause of low back pain and leg pain (sciatica). Symptoms may include dull or sharp pain, muscle spasm or cramping, sciatica, and leg weakness or loss of leg function. Sneezing, coughing, or bending over usually intensifies the pain. A herniation may develop suddenly or gradually over weeks or months.

Disc herniation, rupture, protrusion, and extrusion are all terms that describe this injury. There are subtle differences between these terms, but they all refer to a tear in the outer ring, which allows some of the inner core to escape.

Why does a disc get herniated? As you grow older, your discs become flatter and less cushiony. If a disc becomes too weak, the outer part may tear. The inside part of the disc pushes through the tear and presses on the nerves beside it. Herniated discs are most common in people in their 30s and 40s.

What are the signs of a herniated disc? When part of a disc presses on a nerve, it can cause pain in both the back and the legs. The location of the pain depends on which disc is herniated and which nerve is affected. In most people with a herniated disc, the pain spreads over the buttocks and goes down the back of one thigh and into the calf. Some people have pain in both legs. Sometimes legs or feet feel numb or tingly..

Self Preventive Measures to Reduce Low Back Pain

Lifting - With your feet shoulder-width apart, bend at the hips and knees. Grip the load firmly and hold it close to your body, tighten your stomach muscles and use the strong muscles of your legs to lift. Keep your back as straight as possible. Avoid twisting - turn by using your feet, not your back.

Posture - Think tall: chest lifted, shoulders relaxed, chin tucked in and head level. Posture should be stable, balanced and relaxed when sitting, walking or standing.

Sitting - Don't stay seated for too long - stand up, stretch and walk around. The right back support will also help

Exercise - Stay in shape - healthy body-weight is less strain on your back. Your physiotherapist can show you how to keep your back flexible and strong with correct back and abdominal exercises.

Driving - Good support from your car seat will prevent back pain. If you need more low back support, use a lumbar roll or a rolled-up towel.

Sleeping - Your mattress should be firm enough to support your natural shape.

IF YOU HAVE BACK PROBLEMS ALREADY, THE ABOVE RECOMMENDATIONS MAY NOT PERTAIN TO YOU.

Call The Pain Treatment Center in Houston, Texas today to see how we can help you determine the best minimally-invasive spine treatment for your specific medical condition.

For appointments please call: 281-556-0001

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