Archive for the ‘Low Back Pain’ Category

Arthritis Low Back Pain

 

Arthritis affects millions of people each year worldwide.  It can cause debilitating effects for the person who is afflicted, causing varying degrees of symptoms and disability.

 Many people worry that certain pain they are having may be something more serious, such as in that case of arthritis low back pain.  Arthritis in the lumbar spine, or the lower back, is a common problem and one which can cause a variety of symptoms.

Lumbar spine arthritis is more common in older people, but it can also be found in other age groups as well.  Some of the people who are more prone to developing arthritis in the lower back, besides the older population, include people who are obese, those who are involved in heavy labour, and those who have suffered a previous injury to their spine.

 

Arthritis of the lumbar spine happens in the joints that connect each segment of the spinal column, or the vertebrae.  When the joints become arthritic, movement in the back becomes stiff and painful.  Lumbar spine arthritis is sometimes found along with other spinal conditions such as disc degeneration and spinal stenosis.

Lumbar spine arthritis normally causes the symptoms of stiffness in the lower back and often severe pain.  The stiffness is especially noticeable in the morning as they get out of bed, but can sometimes become more loosened up throughout the day.  Sometimes strenuous activity and prolonged use of the lower back muscles can cause symptoms to become worse.

If lumbar facet arthritis worsens, it can result in the joints forming bone spurs and the tissue becoming inflamed.  These joints contain nerves around them which can become pinched resulting in a disorder called spinal stenosis.  This condition is seen often in patients with arthritis of the lower back.

The treatment options that are offered will depend on the severity of the person’s symptoms.  Treatment always starts with more simple measures to be sure that the patient can tolerate them and find relief.  Some of the methods of treatment include physical therapy, chiropractic care, anti-inflammatory medicine, weight loss, alternative treatment (acupuncture, magnet therapy, natural remedies, and massage), ice and heat applications, epidural injections of steroid medicine and spinal fusion surgery.  Surgery is normally a last resort after relief has not been found through other methods of treatment.

Of all the symptoms of lumbar spine arthritis, low back pain can be the most difficult to manage and live with.  The constant pain and stiffness can be the cause of much stress and can seriously alter a person’s way of life.  It is important to recognize symptoms and begin treatment early to ensure that the progression of the disease is slowed down.  Finding a treatment that works may take some time as everyone will have different levels of pain and treatment requirements.

Published by Relief  For Back Pain

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Lower Back Pain

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Low back pain is a condition that affects many people in the world today.  One reason may be that the reasons for having low back pain are varied and the second reason may be that much of today’s employment involves individuals sitting at a desk or standing in a manufacturing plant for hours.

Both of these activities promote poor back health which leads to spinal disc problems and poor muscle strength.   Lower back problems are also the root cause of the majority of workman’s compensation claims and a large number of lost work days.

When an individual suffers from low back pain they will experience a reduced ability to do daily living activities, hobbies, recreational activities and will have difficulty with work.  One of the hallmarks of back pain is that it is almost impossible NOT to use the back.  You may be able to splint an arm, cast a leg or even decrease movement to splint ribs but it is impossible not to use the back muscles when you are walking, sitting or standing.

At all times the core muscles of the body will be motion holding the body in place and making minute changes to the muscles to hold the body in balance.   For this reason the only place that people may find relief is when they are lying down, and then, only in certain positions based on the placement of the injury or disability in the back.

Individuals will find that they suffer more pain in certain circumstances than in others.  In other words, some will find it more difficult to stand while others will have more difficulty with sitting.  In most cases though, individuals will find relief with walking and movement or with lying down.

The relief found in lying down often leads people to lie down more often and thus increase the amount of time it takes for a back injury to heal.  Doctors have found that the maximal amount of time a person should spend on bed rest is two days.  And they have found that those people who don’t use bed rest as a means of rehabilitation will recover faster than those who do.

The reason that this is the case is because as the individual ‘rests’ on the couch the muscles in the back become stiff.  Because they are either injured from a muscle injury or spasming from a disc problem, the muscles get stiff and shorten when they aren’t being used.  Then, as the individual gets out of bed those same muscles are asked to work again. Because, remember, they can’t be splinted in any way.

This movement from spasm to shortening to work again only leads to more pain and discomfort.  Sometimes this leads the person to stay in bed and repeat the vicious cycle making recovery all the more difficult.

Instead, physicians and chiropractors have found that individuals who protect their back while walking, sitting and standing but continue to do those activities are more likely to recover faster and without function loss. 

Our backs are an integral part of every movement we make each day.  Whether we are turning over in bed, getting up from a chair or just walking down the street, these are the muscles that are always used.  Because they are so important to our overall health and ability to do our daily tasks it is that much more important that we take care of the muscles that protect our back.

Published by Relief For Back Pain

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