Ouch my back!!!

Low back pain is the most common cause of visits to my clinic.

In our country the prevalences is high but no much studies have been conducted to support my sentiments on prevalence but I can tell from the visits My colleagues and I get at the clinics.

Most visits are from people working in offices and companies especially in the urban places and that brings to my attention and the entire Physiotherapy fraternity on the importance of movement because our bodies were meant to move and not to be stationery in offices not forgetting proper sitting posture and lifting mechanics.

What are some of the causes of Low back pain?

Strains

The muscles and ligaments in the back can stretch or tear due to excess activity. Symptoms include pain and stiffness in the lower back, as well as muscle spasms. Rest and physical therapy are remedies for these symptoms.

Disc injury

The discs in the back are prone to injury. This risk increases with age. The outside of the disc can tear or herniate.

A herniated disc, which is also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the cartilage surrounding the disc pushes against the spinal cord or nerve roots. The cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae extends outside its normal position.

This can result in compression of the nerve root as it exits from the spinal cord and through the vertebral bones. Disc injury usually occurs suddenly after lifting something or twisting the back. Unlike a back strain, pain from a disc injury usually lasts for more than 72 hours.

Sciatica

Sciatica can occur with a herniated disc if the disc presses on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve connects the spine to the legs. As a result, sciatica can cause pain in the legs and feet. This pain usually feels like burning, or pins and needles.

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is when the spinal column narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves.

Spinal stenosis is most commonly due to degeneration of the discs between the vertebrae. The result is compression of the nerve roots or spinal cord by bony spurs or soft tissues, such as discs.

Pressure on the spinal nerves causes symptoms such as:

• numbness
• cramping
• weakness

You might feel these symptoms anywhere in the body. Many people with spinal stenosis notice their symptoms worsen when standing or walking.

Abnormal spine curvatures

Scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis are all conditions that cause abnormal curvatures in the spine.

These are congenital conditions that are usually first diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. The abnormal curvature causes pain and poor posture because it places pressure on:

• muscles
• tendons
• ligaments
• vertebrae

Other conditions

There are a number of other conditions that cause lower back pain. These conditions include:

• Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints.
• Fibromyalgia is long-term pain and tenderness in the joints, muscles, and tendons.
• Spondylitis is inflammation of the joints between the spinal bones.
• Spondylosis is a degenerative disorder that may cause loss of normal spinal structure and function. Although aging is the primary cause of the condition, the location and rate of degeneration is specific to the individual.

Additional health conditions that can cause lower back pain include:

Kidney and bladder problems

• pregnancy
• endometriosis
• ovarian cysts
• uterine fibroids
• cancer

All the above are possible causes and it will always need a thorough history taking and assessment for me as a Physiotherapist to come up with a proper diagnosis. At some point we may require some images to support our findings in order to go to the next step of planning on the management which will entail short and long term goals of our treatment plan which include; Decrease painful symptoms in the lower back and/or leg
Improve low back function to tolerate daily activities as independently as possible
Increase the spine’s flexibility and improve its range of motion
Formulate a maintenance program to prevent the recurrence of back problems

Physiotherapy Management of Low back pain😎

Most cases of lower back pain respond well to a program of manual therapy and graded exercises. Manual therapy can include soft tissue massage, joint mobilisations and spinal manipulations. These techniques reduce pain and help to restore movement. Other treatments include; electrotherapy agents like TENS, moist heat therapy, ultrasound therapy, and dry needling.

For more information contact us @Activezone physiotherapy clinic on: 074207833 via call or whatsapp.