What Is Your Back Pain Trying to Tell You?

Pain is our body's way of telling us that something is wrong. In the case of back pain, the root cause may be obvious - you may have been involved in a car accident, or lifted a box that was too heavy. Though it may also seem like a mystery. Nevertheless, if you dig a little, the root cause of your back pain could also be sorted out. So if you're unsure about why you are in agony, one of these 7 possible causes may be it:

1. You're feeling stressed 

It should come as no surprise to learn that stress can cause tight muscles and knots in your neck and upper back. Anxiety may also cause you to have back spasms too. If you suspect that stress is causing you back pain, try to incorporate some relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing into your routine. A weekly yoga class or an intensive stretch will help reduce lower back pain. 

2. You're hooked on technology  

Hunching over a phone or tablet for several hours a day can cause what has now been termed, 'text neck'. Having a slumped neck and rounded shoulders add an additional 60 pounds of weight on your spine, which can inadvertently change your posture and cause back pain. To prevent this from happening, try keeping your phone at eye level instead. 

 

3. You're not sitting properly 

Just as looking down at your smartphone can cause back problems, sitting down all day can wreak havoc on your spine too. Poor posture can cause lower back pain by increasing the amount of pressure or tension on the bones, joints, ligaments, and spinal discs. Improve your sitting posture by keeping your forearms parallel to the floor, your head in line with your torso, your feet flat on the floor or resting on a footrest, your back fully supported and thighs parallel to the floor. 

 

4. You have a muscle imbalance elsewhere in your body 

Everything in your body is interconnected. Your back pain may be stemming from tight hamstrings or weak abdominals. If other muscle groups are weak, it can cause the muscles of the back to do more work than they should to keep the spine upright or moving correctly. Try working with a physical therapist to identify and correct the specific imbalances that are over-taxing your back.

5. You have a bulging or ruptured disc 

The disks between your vertebrae help cushion the spine and act as shock-absorbers. Over time, however, they can flatten or rupture due to natural aging, certain movements, or a family history of disc disease. While it doesn't always cause pain, when it does, it can be hugely uncomfortable. If a bulging disc is the culprit, doctors often prescribe over-the-counter medicine, hot and cold packs, and physical therapy. 

 

6. Something more serious is going on  

Pancreatitis, ulcers, or even a kidney infection could cause pain that radiates to the back. It may also be a result of an infection, osteomyelitis - an infection of the spine. Most back pains tend to resolve on their own in six weeks - but if yours has gotten worse then be sure to see a physician, particularly if it is accompanied by fever, numbness in the rectal area, and loss of bowel or bladder control. 

 

7. You just had a baby 

Statistics show that almost 80% of new moms suffer from lower back pain as a result of the stress placed on the body during pregnancy. Another cause may also be due to the habits that result from caring for a young baby, such as holding a baby on one side of the body, or hunching while nursing - which can lead to muscle imbalance, affecting the natural curve of your spine. Are you a new mom? Try being aware of maintaining good posture by alternating muscle groups so you're not constantly rocking, swaying, or bouncing your baby on one side. 

 

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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Fixing a bad back

Back pain is a common reason for absence from work and for seeking medical treatment. It can be uncomfortable and debilitating. “Lower back pain is caused by spinal degeneration and injury. Conditions linked to back pain are muscle or ligament strain,” says a Dr.

Time to see a doctor:

• Feel intense or constant pain
• Develop pain that extends down one or both legs
• Have weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
• Experience swelling, redness or unintentional weight loss
• Can’t work, sleep or perform daily activities
• Experienced a trauma such as a car crash or fall
• Develop a fever
• Trouble passing stool or urinating

The human back is composed of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks and bones, which work together to support the body.
“People with ongoing or recurrent episodes of lower back pain should consider the benefits of walking as a low-impact form of exercise. Aerobic exercise has long been shown to reduce the incidence of low back pain. However, for some back conditions, walking will aggravate or cause too much pain to be bearable,” warns the Dr.

Causes
The segments of the spine are cushioned with cartilage-like pads called disks. “Problems with any of these components can lead to back pain. In some cases, the cause remains unclear. Damage can result from strain, medical conditions and poor posture among others,” he adds.

Strain
Back pain commonly stems from strain, tension or injury. Frequent causes are:
Strained muscles or ligaments
A muscle spasm
Muscle tension
Damaged disks
Injuries, fractures or falls
Activities that can lead to strains or spasms include:
Lifting something improperly
Lifting something that is too heavy
Making an abrupt and awkward movement
Structural problems
A number of structural problems may also result in back pain.

Ruptured discs: Each vertebra in the spine is cushioned by disks. If the disk ruptures, there will be more pressure on a nerve, resulting in back pain.

Bulging disks:  In much the same way as ruptured disks, a bulging disk can result in pressure on a nerve.

Sciatica: A sharp and shooting pain travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg, caused by a bulging or herniated disk pressing on a nerve.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause problems with the joints in the hips, lower back, and other places. In some cases, the space around the spinal cord narrows. This is known as spinal stenosis.

Abnormal curvature: If the spine curves in an unusual way, back pain can result. An example is scoliosis, in which the spine curves to the side.

Osteoporosis: Bones, including the vertebrae of the spine, become brittle and porous, making fractures more likely.

Kidney problems: Kidney stones or kidney infection can cause back pain.

Risk factors

• The following factors are linked to a higher risk of developing low back pain:
• occupational activities
• pregnancy
• a sedentary lifestyle
• Poor physical fitness
• Advanced age
• Obesity and excess weight
• Smoking
• Strenuous physical exercise or work, especially if done incorrectly
• Genetic factors
• Medical conditions, such as arthritis and cancer

Diagnosis
An X-ray, MRI or CT scan can give information about the state of the soft tissues in the back.
X-rays can show the alignment of the bones and detect signs of arthritis or broken bones, but may not reveal damage in the muscles, spinal cord, nerves or disks.
MRI or CT scans can reveal herniated disks or problems with tissues, tendons, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, muscles, and bones.
Bone scans can detect bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. A radioactive substance or tracer is injected into a vein. The tracer collects in the bones and helps the doctor detect bone problems with the aid of a special camera.
Electromyography or EMG measures the electrical impulses produced by nerves in response to muscles. This can confirm nerve compression, which may occur with a herniated disk or spinal stenosis.

Surgery
“Surgery for back pain is very rare. If a patient has a herniated disk, surgery may be an option, especially if there is persistent pain and nerve compression which can lead to muscle weakness,” says  the Dr.
Examples of surgical procedures include:
Endoscopic discectomy
Endoscopic decompression of stenosis
Microdiscectomy
Fusion

Medical treatment
Medication: Back pain that does not respond well to OTC painkillers may require a
prescription NSAID. Codeine or hydrocodone, which are narcotics, may be prescribed for short periods. These require close monitoring by the doctor. In some cases, muscle relaxants may be used.
Antidepressants: such as amitriptyline may be prescribed, but research is ongoing as to their effectiveness, and the evidence is conflicting.

Physical therapy: Applying heat, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation - as well as some muscle-release techniques to the back muscles and soft tissues — may help alleviate pain. As the pain improves, the physical therapist may introduce some flexibility and strength exercises for the back and abdominal muscles. Techniques for improving posture may also help. The patient will be encouraged to practice the techniques regularly, even after the pain has gone, to prevent back pain recurrence.

Cortisone injections: If other options are not effective, these may be injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory drug. It helps reduce inflammation around the nerve roots. Injections may also be used to numb areas thought to be causing the pain.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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Back Pain - Causes

We all know well that early man wasn't walking upright. Once, man started walking upright, it has put a load on our delicate spinal column. Added to it, now, people don't take care of the body, often sit in wrong position, life weight without bending the knees, carry backpack on one shoulder, all these leads to lots of stress on the back, leading to back pain from a very young age. Earlier, lower back pain was one the main complaints of older generation.

The new trend of talking in cell phone hands free, by holding it on your shoulder and bending the head, leads to cervical problem.


Pain in the lower back region may be related to the discs between the vertebrae, lumbar discs, spinal cord and nerves, ligaments around the spine, lower back muscles, and pelvic organs. As with any condition, knowing the early symptoms and following preventive measures can prevent you from complications.

Structure of the spinal column
The human back comprises of a complex structure of ligaments, muscles, tendons, bones, and discs, which are cartilaginous pads acting like cushions between the spinal segments. Any issues arising in any of these components can pave the way for back pain. Due to this complicated structure, the exact cause of back pain can never be found in some cases.

Some common causes of back pain include:   
Strain and sprain 
Ruptured discs 
Bulging discs 
Sciatica 
Arthritis 
Osteoporosis 
Abnormal curvature of the spine 
Spine cancer 
Different types of infections
Prolapsed disc

Risk Factors of Back PainObesity and type 2 diabetes are significant factors leading to the development of the condition. Other risk factors include strenuous physical work, smoking, anxiety, and depression and a sedentary lifestyle.

Symptoms of Back Pain
The primary symptom of back pain is an ache or pain anywhere in the back, which can sometimes extend to the legs and buttocks. Sometimes, back pain is accompanied by other issues as well, such as unexplained weight loss, elevated body temperature, swelling of the back, constant back pain, urinary incontinence, numbness around the genitals and buttocks. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, you must see a physician without further delay.

Diagnosis
Most primary care physicians can diagnose back pain after a thorough physical examination of the patient and without imaging scans. But in case the doctor suspects a back injury, they may order some tests such as a computerized tomography or a magnetic resonance imaging.

Treatment Options
In most cases, the back pain eventually vanishes without any medical intervention. Careful attention, diminishing the risk factors and certain home treatments are all that a patient needs to get rid of the pain. Applying a hot pack or a cold compress, along with taking over the counter medications is adequate for relieving pain. There are two variants of back pain- acute and chronic. In both these cases, medication, physical therapy, cortisone injections and cognitive behavioural therapy can help in relieving the pain to a great extent. The patient may have to undergo surgery in case all these treatment options fail.

Both chronic and acute back pain can be effectively managed with a combination of prescribed and alternative treatments, at times physiotherapy helps, unless they are severe and need surgery. 

In case you have any severe pain, which doesn't get relieved with over the counter tablets, physiotherapy, it is best to consult an expert orthopaedic surgeon to get relief.

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7 Things Your Back Pain Is Trying to Tell You

Pain is our body's way of telling us that something is wrong. In the case of back pain, the root cause may be obvious - you may have been involved in a car accident, or lifted a box that was too heavy. Though it may also seem like a mystery. Nevertheless, if you dig a little, the root cause of your back pain could also be sorted out. So if you're unsure about why you are in agony, one of these 7 possible causes may be it: 

 

1. You're feeling stressed It should come as no surprise to learn that stress can cause tight muscles and knots in your neck and upper back. Anxiety may also cause you to have back spasms too. If you suspect that stress is causing you back pain, try to incorporate some relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing into your routine. A weekly yoga class, or an intensive stretch will help reduce lower back pain. 

2. You're hooked on technology Hunching over a phone or tablet for several hours a day can cause what has now been termed, 'text neck'. Having a slumped neck and rounded shoulders adds an additional 60 pounds of weight on your spine, which can inadvertently change your posture and cause back pain. To prevent this from happening, try keeping your phone at eye level instead. 

3. You're not sitting properly Just as looking down at your smartphone can cause back problems, sitting down all day can wreck havoc on your spine too. Poor posture can cause lower back pain by increasing the amount of pressure or tension on the bones, joints, ligaments, and spinal discs. Improve your sitting posture by keeping your forearms parallel to the floor, your head in line with your torso, your feet flat on the floor or resting on a foot rest, your back fully supported and thighs parallel to the floor. 

4. You have a muscle imbalance elsewhere in your body Everything in your body is interconnected. Your back pain may be stemming from tight hamstrings or weak abdominal. If other muscle groups are weak, it can cause the muscles of the back to do more work than they should to keep the spine upright or moving correctly. Try working with a physical therapist to identify and correct the specific imbalances that are over-taxing your back.

 

5. You have a bulging or ruptured disc The disks between your vertebrae help cushion the spine and act as shock-absorbers. Over time, however, they can flatten or rupture due to natural aging, certain movements, or a family history of disc disease. While it doesn't always cause pain, when it does, it can be hugely uncomfortable. If a bulging disc is the culprit, doctors often prescribe over-the-counter medicine, hot and cold packs, and physical therapy. 

6. Something more serious is going on Pancreatitis, ulcers, or even a kidney infection could cause pain that radiates into the back. It may also be a result of an infection, osteomyelitis - an infection of the spine. Most back pains tend to resolve on their own in six weeks - but if yours has gotten worse then be sure to see a physician, particularly if it is accompanied by fever, numbness in the rectal area, and loss of bowel or bladder control. 

7. You just had a baby Statistics show that almost 80% of new moms suffer from lower back pain as a result of the stress placed on the body during pregnancy. Another cause may also be due to the habits that result from caring for a young baby, such as holding a baby on one side of the body, or hunching while nursing - which can lead to muscle imbalance, affecting the natural curve of your spine. Are you a new mom? Try be aware of maintaining good posture by alternating muscle groups so you're not constantly rocking, swaying, or bouncing your baby on one side. 

 this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes 
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement