Back pain is one of the most common pains, and one of the reasons why patients turn to physiotherapy and seek medical help.
Through this article, we will explain the types, symptoms, causes of back pain and the most important ways to prevent it .
Types of back pain
Back ache is divided into two types:
Acute back ache: occurs suddenly and lasts for a short period ranging from several days to weeks.
Chronic back ache: chronic ache lasts more than three months.
Within a month, 90% of patients with acute back ache get better, and 60% of patients get better within one week.
And even the ache of a herniated disc caused by back ache can improve within a month.
Symptoms of Back ache
The symptoms of back ache start between feeling muscle pain and a burning sensation. the pain may extend to the legs and feet at times, and it may get worse when bending, lifting or walking on the leg.
- Feeling of lower back ache.
- Difficulty in moving and performing daily activities.
- Inability to stand for a while without feeling ache.
- Difficulty bending the back without feeling pain.
- Hear a sound when the vertebrae rub in the spine.
- Feeling of ache in the neck.
- Feeling ache in the middle of the back.
The ache increases when sneezing or coughing, and the symptoms of back pain often last for a short time, most of the time, in case they were caused by exhaustion and fatigue.
Back ache symptoms may be chronic if they persist for three months .
Causes of back ache
Back ache often occurs without a direct cause and the appropriate diagnosis is made through specialized hardware or imaging study.
1. Muscular stress
Most often the causes of back ache are the result of muscle strain or tension and stretching of muscles .
2. Problems with the structure of the back
There are certain cases in which the causes of back pain are due to problems in the structure of the back itself, such as an injury to a protruding vertebra.
3. Herniated disc
One of the causes of back pain is a herniated disc and through it you feel soreness in the back, because the cartilages have their own places and are located between the vertebrae of the spine .
When these cartilages protrude from their own place between the vertebrae it is known as a herniated disc
4. Sciatica
If the protruding intervertebral disc presses on one of the main nerves in the back area, this pressure can produce ache and go to the man and cause the so-called sciatica .
5. Narrowing of the vertebral canal
There is a narrowing of the vertebral canal in which the spinal cord is located, most often this narrowing occurs in the elderly over 50 years of age.
6. Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis occurs as a result of a decrease in bone density in these bones, there is a weakening of these bones and as a result there is an ease in breaking them.
7. Pregnancy
One of the common symptoms of a pregnant woman is back pain, because hormonal and physical changes occur during pregnancy.
8.Weight gain
In the case of overweight, this is subjected to excessive pressure in the lower vertebrae, which makes them more susceptible to stress and causes a feeling of ache.
9. Other causes of back pain
- Doing strenuous and stressful exercises.
- Practicing certain movements incorrectly
- Carrying heavy objects incorrectly.
- Having a cancerous tumor in the spine.
- Infection with kidney stones.
- Hormonal changes in women that are accompanied by low back pain before menstruation.
- The incidence of chronic arthritis.
- The injury is an infection of the spine.
10.There are also other factors that cause back pain .
These factors can increase the incidence of back pain in the lumbar region, they include the following:
- Smoking.
- Increase in weight.
- Advancing age
- Make physical effort at work.
- Sit down at work.
- Work is under great stress.
- Depression.
Diagnosis of lumbago
At the beginning of the examination, the specialist doctor will not ask you to do any tests to diagnose back ache, but will do a physical diagnosis .
Often, if you go for medical consultation, the doctor will detect the presence of back pain through a physical examination, and through several things he will test your physical activity, including:
- Examine the patient’s ability to walk, stand and move well.
- Examination of the mobility of the spine.
- Examine the strength of the legs and legs during movement and sitting.
If the doctor suspects during the medical examination that the patient has a more serious illness, then in this case he can order some tests to make sure the patient’s health is safe
- A blood test and a urine test to confirm the basic vital indicators in the patient’s body.
- X-ray examination of the spine to make sure that there are no fractures in the bones and that the spine is healthy.
- Examination of nerve conduction by electromyogram.
- Examination through magnetic resonance imaging to confirm the integrity of muscles, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels.
- Examination of bones with colored Rays in order to make sure that there are no abnormalities in the bones.
Prevention of back pain
To maintain a healthy and strong back, we recommend the following:
- Practice physical exercises in an organized manner.
- Build strong and flexible muscles that work to support the back.
- Stop smoking because it increases the risk of developing low back pain.
- Maintain a healthy weight because being overweight strains the back muscles.
- Moving the body properly includes:
- Stand properly and ensure a neutral pelvic position.
- Sit properly
- Accuracy in choosing a chair that supports the lower part of the back,and also be equipped with a hand support .
- Adhere to a healthy lifestyle while constantly moving the legs.
- Learn to practice physical movements correctly
- Improve physical fitness by proper movement.
- Alternative treatments: currently people are turning to manual therapies, among these are the treatments used to treat back ache:
- Chiropractic treatments.
- Chinese acupuncture.
- Massage.
Treatment of back pain :
The method of treating ache in the back depends on the cause and severity of the ache. Among the possible treatments are:
Physiotherapy: it includes stretching exercises, strengthening muscles, improving posture, sitting and sleeping, manual therapy techniques, massage, and functional exercises.
Pain medications: These include simple over-the-counter painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen, and medications that contain stronger active substances such as opioids.
Occupational therapy: it is a treatment that focuses on improving the motor function of the body and controlling pain, by improving posture, sitting and sleeping, adjusting wrong movements, and reducing severe stress
Low back pain :
Many people suffer from pain in the lower back area, which is the area between the buttocks and the lower spine. And a pain in the lower back area can be caused by various causes, such as:
-Sprain or strain of the lower back
-Injury during a fall, lifting something too heavy, or playing sports
-Twisting or also straining over time due to repetitive movements
-Muscle strain or ligament tear
Causes of backache :
There are a variety of reasons that may cause back pain :
Muscle strain: pain in the back can be caused by muscle strain
Injury: pain in the back can be caused by an injury, such as bruises, sprains, or fractures.
Arthritis: inflammation of the joints in the back can cause pain and stiffness.
Herniated disc: pain in the back can be caused by a herniated disc, which occurs when the cartilage that surrounds the vertebrae ruptures and slips out of place.
Tendinomyositis: pain in the back can be caused by tendinomyositis.
Neurological diseases: some neurological diseases, such as a slipped cervical disc, inflammation of the sciatic nerve, and inflammation of the peripheral nerves, may be responsible for the pain in the back.
Other causes: pain in the back can be caused by several other causes, such as nervous tension, hormonal changes
Lower back pain :
Lumbar pain is known as the lumbar region and is the most common condition in women and the elderly and usually occurs as a result of wrong daily habits or injuries, and there are two types of back pain, namely:
Low back pain may occur due to several reasons, including:
Stress and sprains: back strain due to heavy activity and sprains is one of the most common causes of back pain
Standing or sitting incorrectly: standing or sitting incorrectly can cause lower back pain
Injuries and fractures: some accidents such as car accidents and falls may cause fractures of the bones of the spine and it is possible that the chances of fractures may increase in the case of osteoporosis.
Treatment of lumbar pain above the butt :
The treatment of severe pain in the back is based on the cause and severity of the pain, among the possible treatments are:
One of the most important means of treating low back pain is :
Drug therapy: it includes the use of strong analgesics containing the strongest active substances such as opioids, which must be used according to the doctor’s instructions and without cavitations for the prescribed dosages and timing.
Physiotherapy: it includes stretching exercises, strengthening muscles, improving posture, sitting and sleeping, manual therapy techniques, massage and functional exercises. A doctor should be consulted before starting any type of exercise, and physiotherapy can be recommended by the doctor as part of a comprehensive treatment plan
Causes of soreness of the lower back :
Low back pain can occur due to a variety of reasons :
–Stress and sprains: back strain due to heavy activity and sprains is one of the most common causes of back pain
–Standing or sitting incorrectly: standing or sitting incorrectly can cause lower back pain
–Injuries and fractures: some accidents such as car accidents and falls may cause fractures of the bones of the spine and it is possible that the chances of fractures may increase in the case of osteoporosis
Mid-back pain :
Pain in the middle of the back can be caused by several reasons, among which are:
Muscle pain and ligament sprain: they are the most common cause of back pain and can be caused by sitting for long periods, making sudden movements or loading the back with heavy weights.
Muscle weakness: muscle weakness in the back area can lead to ache in this area.
Herniated disc: it occurs when the cartilage slips between the vertebrae and presses on the nerves, causing severe back ache.
Arthritis: inflammation of the joints in the back area can lead to severe pain and stiffness in movement.
Treatment of coccyx pain :
Coccyx (or occipital) pain can be very painful and annoying and may cause difficulty sitting and standing, and can be treated in several ways, including:
Decompression: you should avoid sitting on hard and soft velvet surfaces, and an air cushion or a round pillow can be used to relieve pressure on the coccyx.
Ice application: an ice pack can be applied to the painful area to relieve inflammation and pain.
Avoid strong movements: you should avoid doing strong movements and sitting for long periods
Light exercise: light exercises such as walking, swimming, and yoga exercises can be practiced, which helps to improve blood circulation
Take painkillers: over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen can be taken to relieve pain
Treatment of severe back pain :
Severe back ache can be very painful and may affect your daily movement and overall quality of life
Here are some steps that can be followed to treat severe back pain:
Rest: strong movements, prolonged sitting, and relaxation should be avoided. A comfortable pillow can be used to support the back and maintain correct body posture.
Ice application: an ice pack can be applied to the painful area for 15-20 minutes twice a day to relieve inflammation and pain.
Treatment of back pain at fizik center
fizik Center offers appropriate treatment programs for all orthopedic diseases .
It is the largest system in Egypt and the Arab world for the treatment of spine pain and sports rehabilitation for athletes, through a large staff of physiotherapists and experienced specialists .
The fizik center offers the latest therapeutic devices that help to improve all cases suffering from orthopedic problems and sports injuries.
Sources:
hopkinsmedicine