By Joel Paige
Nearly everyone will experience back pain at some point in their lives. The low back, also known as the lumbar area, is located behind the abdomen and runs from the rib cage down to the pelvis. Absent work is often caused by back pain. Low back pain is usually self-limiting and can be caused by a strain injury. Low back pain can be treated with many different treatments.
At Risk for Lower Back Pain?
Low back pain can begin in the twenties, and last throughout adulthood. Research has shown that as many as 80% of people are affected by low back pain (LBP). You can prevent lower back pain and find out what could be putting your health at risk.
Common causes of low back pain
- Handling manual materials (especially lifting)
- Twisting the trunk
- Forward tilting of the trunk
- Turn the trunk towards the side.
- Excessive reaching
- Falls
- Long-term sitting
- Sedentary jobs
- High-skilled jobs
- Whole-body vibration exposure
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
Low Back Pain: Is Your Back Hurting?
Low back pain symptoms can range from sharp, stabbing pain to a dull ache. These pains may be intermittent or constant. An injury can cause acute low back pain. Chronic back pain refers to pain that lasts more than three months. If you experience back pain that lasts more than 72 hours, consult a doctor.
Low back pain and serious back injuries
A health-care professional should evaluate severe back pain following an injury. Signs of a more serious injury include severe pain, such as coughing or urinating or loss of control over the bowels and bladder, fever, weakness in the legs, or nausea. Additional symptoms may require medical attention.
Is it Sciatica or Muscle Strain?
Exercising or lifting heavy loads can cause back pain. These activities can sometimes cause disc injury, rupture or herniation. A herniated disc can cause pain in the back and sometimes even leg, if it irritates the sciatic nerve.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to a type of nerve pain that is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve, which runs through the buttocks and down to the back of your leg, is a large nerve. The sciatic nerve can be pressed on or pinched, causing low back pain that is similar to or worse than shock. Some people feel the pain radiate down to the buttocks, down one leg and sometimes down to the foot.
Chronic conditions that cause back pain
Chronic low back pain can be caused by spinal stenosis and spondylitis. Spinal stenosis refers to narrowing of the normal spinal canal, through which the spinal cord passes. Chronic inflammation of the spine is called spondylitis. Fibromyalgia, a condition of the muscles that causes chronic pain and tenderness, is called “fibromyalgia”.
This article was written by a medical professional at Florida Medical Pain Management. Florida Medical Pain Management is proud to offer Pain Management In St Petersburg FL to a diverse group of patients. Patients at Florida Medical Pain Management can get help managing hip, knee, leg, and neck pain. The practice also offers comprehensive arthritis management, along with treatments for auto accidents, sports, and work injuries.
