Low back pain can be one of the most debilitating health problems for those people who suffer it. It is also one of the few health problems that almost all people with mobility problems have to live with through their entire lives. This is because most back problems can be traced back to some kind of poor posture or weak muscles or joints. For this reason, low back pain almost always goes hand in hand with disability or poor physical condition.
Chronic conditions of joint and bone caused by degenerative conditions of the bone and muscle causes of low back pain are the most common type. Bone conditions which result in low back pain can either be congenital (maturing before birth) or acquired. congenital means that the condition is present at birth and it cannot be treated or cured. Acquired means that the condition has developed over time, usually as a result of excessive movement, trauma, or other causes. Treatment options for congenital conditions are limited while treatments for acquired conditions, such as osteoarthritis, are very wide-ranging.
The most common congenital bone abnormality is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the amount of bone tissue available for expansion decreases. As a result, bones become weak and fragile and can easily break or fracture. Fractures result in low back pain when the bone fragments stick in one area and are very painful.
Another common cause of lombalgia is a form of muscular injury. This type of injury involves the muscle tissues of the back rather than skeletal muscle tissue like those found in the spine. Commonly associated with traumatic incidents like falls, sports injuries, automobile accidents, or dog bites, these injuries can be caused by a variety of causes including overuse, repetitive twisting, straining during exercise, or direct trauma.
The third type of abnormality is spinal disc herniation. The symptoms of spinal disc herniation include pain, numbness, and tingling in the affected area. CT scans will indicate whether or not the nucleus pulposus, or the bulge, of a spinal disc is visible in an x-ray or MRI scan. Although these symptoms may be indicative of other conditions, such as muscle strain or nerve compression, it is important to rule out spinal disc disorders as a cause of low back pain. A physician can perform a diagnostic review to determine the extent of the damage to the spinal cord and can then prescribe therapy to alleviate the symptoms.
One of the more mysterious causes of low back pain is a weakening of abdominal muscles. Abdominal muscles can contract and weaken over time, causing stress on the spinal discs. This increase in internal pressure, in turn, can cause swelling and inflammation in the vertebrae surrounding the spinal disc, which can contribute to pain.
Many chiropractic physicians believe that neurological symptoms can also be caused by spasm of intervertebral discs. Spasms in the spinal cord can lead to compression of nerves and interfere with normal spinal function, increasing the risk for low back pain. The treatment for intervertebral disc syndrome is usually spinal manipulation, which places gentle traction on the spine to relieve pressure and allow the spinal cord to heal. If conservative treatment does not alleviate the symptoms, chiropractic spinal manipulation may be the best alternative.
Low back pain can also be caused by non-traditional therapies, such as arthritis medication. Some arthritis medications cause gastrointestinal irritation and constipation, which can contribute to low back pain. Although most arthritis medications do not cause any symptoms, patients should discontinue use if they experience nausea, vomiting, or stomach cramps. Patients should never self-medicate and should consult with their physician before starting any kind of therapy for the treatment of pain or illness.
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