Lower back pain results in much long term disability and
as many days lost from work as does almost any other illness
or injury. The spine consists of a stack of bones called the
vertebrae. Each vertebrae is connected to the next one by
ligaments that cross the vertebral discs. The discs seperate
the bones like little cushions and long ligaments run up and
down the length of the spine. Muscles attach each vertebra
to the next one and other muscles bridge two vertabrae and
more. In addition to the discs there are small joints which
are also bridged by ligaments and have synovial tissue within
them just like larger joints.
Most lower back pain is due to problems with either the ligaments,
muscles, joint synovium or the joint ligaments. And people
who are overweight may have little ruptures of fat through
the back tissues and consequently pain. All minor injuries
of the back look and act the same. A major disk problem is
different and may involve nerve injury. Wherever the problem
starts a larger part of the back inevitably becomes involved
as the back works to immobilise the part allowing it to heal.
This results in pain and often muscle spasms.
Muscle spasm provides protection for the injured part by
helping to immobilise it. It can take up to 6 weeks for it
to heal properly. Reinjury is common and can lead to chronic
sprains making it more difficult to treat and take longer
to heal. The pain should not go down into the calf muscles,
so if it does run down a leg go and see your Doctor.
Good muscle tone and regular exercise protect the back and
decrease the risk of injury.
The primary goal in treating back pain is to prevent it from
becoming chronic. The injury must heal and this takes time.
You can either rest the back for a few days with some gentle
heat and painkillers or you can be up and around and allow
the pain to limit your movement but you should not be up and
around and taking lots of painkillers or you will blunt the
pain response and interfere with the natural immobilisation
provided by the muscle spasm which will make reinjury likely.
After the injury is over and healing complete it's time to
think about how you are going to prevent the next one. Gentle
regular graded activity will help strengthen the spine and
improve muscle tone, as will walking. By gradually increasing
activity most people with lower back pain can return to their
desired activity.
Remember none of the information is intended to replace the advice of your Doctor or other healthcare practitioner. Please make sure you ask their advice before you follow any information or take any of the products on this site.
|
