Showing posts with label Back Pain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Back Pain. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

What is Sciatica?

What is Sciatica?

To know the definition of Sciatica, this is characterized by lower back and hip pain that is either burning or “shocked”; Sciatica pain goes down the buttocks, leg, knee and at times, the foot.

Large nerves in the body, called the Sciatic nerves, (which are aptly described as big as the finger) is pinpointed as the cause of the pain in this medical condition. Consisting of a bunch of small nerves coming from the lower back portion of the spinal cord, the sciatic nerves travel from the inside of the buttock area to the back part of the leg; thus, explaining the pain trail of this condition. In this article you shall find more information on Sciatica

What causes it?
Usually, this condition is related to slipped discs; sciatica happens when the herniated disc has pinched on the Sciatic nerve or gets irritated in the course of inflammation caused by the bulged disc. Sometimes, it is also caused by passageways narrowed by sprained ligaments, swelling or arthritis in the surrounding area. This too makes the nerve tender or irritated. On extremely rare cases, blood clots, abscess or any abnormal growth may induce pressure on the nerve. Degeneration of the nerve is also seen as a probable cause.
Symptoms of Sciatica Back Pain

Lower back pain accompanied with posterior thigh, leg and foot pain is the most common indication of Sciatica. The pain is most prevalent on just one side of the body, where the affected sciatic nerve is located. Most patients describe the pain as burning, tingling or having a needles-and-pins feel. Extreme case sufferers account that the pain shoots excruciatingly on the affected areas that movement as simple as standing up is an agonizing task. Numbness may also be experienced by some, which is attributed to the loss of nerve signals to the affected area, such as the leg. At times, this situation may lead to inability to control the involved area.

Often times, the sufferer has long suffered lower back pain before it develops further down to the leg and foot areas. After which, the pain becomes more concentrated on the leg and foot; in some cases the back pain disintegrates. Long-term Sciatica patients attest that the inflammation is usually felt on the buttocks area and back part of the leg. In most cases, the pain of Sciatica is further aggravated by simple movements like sneezing, coughing, sitting, standing and lifting medium to heavy weights, as well as bowel movement.

Rare but extreme symptoms such as paresthesias, weakness and failure of the bowel / bladder functions may accompany the condition.

Diagnosing and treating Sciatica
Usually misdiagnosed for the common leg and back pain, physicians must determined if the cause is a referred pain (musculoskeletal strains) or radicular (nerve root inflammation) one. Certified experts conduct a thorough examination of the condition by way of looking for the pain in certain manipulation of body parts. Legs are part of the manipulated body parts; and if pain is detected in certain movements that cause the sciatic nerve to extend, then Sciatica is the most likely cause of pain.

In treating Sciatica, most medical experts recommend conservative treatments such as physical therapy (mostly stretching and strengthening calisthenics), proper rest coupled with painkillers or anti-inflammatory prescriptions. However, pain caused by slipped discs or other neurological structure problems may require patients to undergo surgery.
Back pain and Sciatica
Chiropractic Sciatica
Sciatica and Pregnancy
Sciatica Causes
Sciatica Exercises
Sciatica Leg Pain
Sciatica Pain Relief
Sciatica Physical Therapy
Sciatica Problem
Sciatica Remedy
Sciatica Surgery
Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatica Treatment
Yoga for Sciatica

6. Lower Back Pain

Lower Back Pain

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, lower back pain is the second most common ailment in the United States.

It is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. While low back pain is often an irritating and discomforting experience, more often than not it can be prevented and improved with proper exercise and diet.

A patient would either experience acute back pain or chronic lower back pain. Acute or shorter-term back pain often lasts within a very brief period of a few days to a few weeks. Acute lower back pain can be also be caused by injury or trauma. Common causes of acute lower back trauma are sports injury, improper lifting of heavy materials at home or at work, and accidents. Muscle ache, limited flexibility, and shooting or stabbing low back pain are the common symptoms of acute back pain. On the other hand, a chronic lower back pain is distinguished by its longer duration. This means if the low back pain persist for more than 3 months the symptom is consider to be chronic. Generally, chronic lower back pains are progressive and do not occur overnight. Moreover, the cause of the chronic lower back pain is much difficult to pinpoint as disability may have developed through time.

Patients often complain on experiencing pain in the lumbar region of the spinal cord or lower back. This region supports the whole weight of body and assists in maintaining balance throughout the body. Strain or stress in the lower back often causes the discomfort and may aggravate further the condition of the lumbar region. Most often that not, patients complain on lower back pain while lifting a heavy object or overstretching. Improper lifting of heavy objects causes stress in the lower back particularly in muscles or ligaments in the lumbar region. When the spine is overly strained and compressed, a disc may be ruptured and budge outward. The rupture may place unnecessary pressure to the nerves in the spine, which trigger signals to the brain and in turn is perceived as pain.

Depending on the physician’s diagnosis, pain in the lower back occasionally may require surgical treatment in cases where the diagnosis indicates a serious medical problem. An example would be an injury or trauma to the lower back caused a blunt blow in a sport activity such as football. This type of injury may cause permanent disability as nerve roots protected by the spinal column could be damaged by the blow.

While injuries or trauma may occur while part-taking a physical activity, it also important to understand that back pain may occur over time. Inactivity may also cause lower back pain and discomfort over time if not properly address. Therefore it is always important to stay fit and undergo a regular exercise regimen to prevent injuries and improve health.
Lower Back Pain Symptoms
Lower Back Pain Causes
Lower Back Pain Relief
Lower Back Pain in Women
Lower Back Pain and Pregnancy
Lower Back Pain Kidney
Lower Back Pain Prevention
Lower Back Pain Treatment

5. Upper Back Pain

Upper Back Pain

Upper back pain is a common spinal disorder. It causes considerable pain and distress for those who experience it.

Muscular irritation (Myofascial pain) and joint dysfunction are the most common causes that can trigger extreme upper back pain. Rare injuries can also cause pain in the upper back such as a herniated disc or degenerated disc.

The thoracic spine (which is also called the upper back, middle back or mid-back) varies in form and function from the cervical spine (which is the neck) or the lumbar spine (which is the lower back). The thoracic spine is intended to be very sturdy and stable for us to stand upright and to keep vital organs in the chest intact. There is usually low risk of injury or degeneration in the upper back due to the stability and limited movement of the thoracic spine. Also, because there is little movement and stability all through the thoracic spine or the upper back. This part of the spine is not likely to build up common spinal disorders, such as spinal instability, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or herniated disc. These disorders can bring about upper back pain but are extremely uncommon in the upper back. MRI scan or CT scan will hardly show the an anatomic problem that could be solved by surgery for the upper back pain, this is because of the thoracic spine’s stability and lack of movement.

In the middle of the spine, there are twelve vertebrae with the ribs connected to it. This is the framework of the thoracic spine. The thoracic spine is concave when seen from the side. Each of the rib that is attached to the twelve vertebrae curves goes around the side of the body and is connected to the breastbone that forms the thoracic cage that protects the heart, lungs and liver.
There are lots of causes or upper back pain. Upper back pain can take place as a cause of a traumatic experience or injury, also from strain or poor posture in a long period of time. For example, upper back pain has been a common complaint from people who work in front of computers all day. Aside from upper back pain, complaints also includes neck pain and shoulder pain. As mentioned earlier, upper back pain are caused by muscular irritation (myosfascial pain) or ligament problems, also called joint dysfunction.

Oftentimes, upper back muscle pain is caused by either de-conditioning (lack of strength) or overuse injuries (like repetitive movements). This kind of upper back pain can be treated manually, such as upper back pain exercise or upper back pain therapy, chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation, massage therapy and acupuncture. Joint dysfunction can also be treated with manual manipulation. Also, pain medications can help such as anti-flammatory medications (such as ibuprofen or COX-2 inhibitors), since joint dysfunction creates inflammation. Epidural steroid injections are oftentimes not necessary for thoracic pain except for local trigger point infusion.
Upper Back Pain Symptoms
Upper Back Pain Treatments

4. Left Side Back Pain

Left Side Back Pain

Most of us would think that left side back pain or any back pain in general, may simply be a symptom or a part of growing old or aging.

This may actually hold true with the fact that most adults would experience back pain at one point or another. In the United States alone, almost nine out of every ten adults even before reaching the age of fifty would say that they have experienced back pain before. There have been no researches on whether majority of this is left side back pain or right side back pain however.

When back pain like left back rib pain has been a staple in your life, you might be tempted to just shake it off. There are cases when this left back pain may just be because of a muscle spasm or nerve. You may simply need to rest and take some anti-inflammatory medicine for left side back pain in such cases. If for example you would engage in lifting weights as an exercise regimen without the proper training, left side back pain or left back rib pain will not be unlikely. You should consult experts in exercise or body conditioning as well as doctors so that you would be prepared adequately for such left back pain.

Exercises can be used to strengthen the abdominal muscles so that left back pain due to muscle imbalance may be avoided. These can include heel raises and ankle pumps. Once again, for an individual to get the best benefits and proper level of exercise, you should first turn to your doctor or a fitness expert. They will be able to properly guide you with the rate of your progression and exercise intensity. This will help you avoid aggravating your back pain further.
Left back pain can be excruciatingly painful. Women may experience this as a part of the premenstrual syndrome. This left back pain may be treated through dietary and vitamin intake changes. Also, old women may have left side back pain because of osteoporosis. This left side back pain can be prevented early on with the help of proper diet during the pregnancy period, and the right intake of calcium.

You should take note if the left back pain is focused on your kidney area. When this is accompanied by a burning sensation and blood when you urinate, this could be a symptom of kidney stones. Individuals with diabetes may be more prone to suffer from such complications. Proper diet for this left back pain is necessary as well as the accompanying changes in lifestyle. You should avoid alcohol, salty and fatty food – especially if your family has a history of hypertension and diabetes.

3. Middle Back Pain

Middle Back Pain

While upper or mid back pain is not too common a spinal disorder, it can create significant discomfort if it does occurs.

It is important to note that our middle back (i.e. thoracic spine) has a very different structure or form as our lower back (i.e. lumbar spine). While our lower back is designed to provide us with mobility, our upper or middle back is designed to be strong to permit us to hold an upright position and protect our vital internal organs. Unlike our lower back, the thoracic spine has a great deal of stability and very limited movement. In effect, it is generally not prone to acquire known spinal dysfunction, including herniated disc or degenerative disc disease.

Mid back pain causes are generally injury or trauma or through strain over time such as poor posture. Most cases reporting on middle back pain are caused by muscular irritation or joint dysfunction. In some cases, mid back pain is caused by both.

These large muscles spanning our shoulder blades to our thoraric rib cage can be very prone to irritation or mid back pain that can cause significant discomfort and hard to deal with. In most cases, middle back pain is caused by lack of strength or overuse injuries such as repetitive motions.

Generally, deep massage or massage therapy, and acupuncture would provide a good middle back pain relief to patients. More often, massage therapy and acupuncture targets the very “tender” areas causing pain in the middle back. These areas may be a source of active “trigger points”. Trigger points are targeted to reduce soreness or inflammation and to provide middle back pain relief to most patients. In addition, because mid back pain is related to the large muscles in the shoulder blades, general rehabilitation programs include stretching and strength training program. Aerobic conditioning is also very important activity to be included in the general strength training program to maintain middle back pain relief.

Depending on the physician’s diagnosis and the level of severe ness of middle back pain Training programs will vary and are very different. Therapists have been trained to develop an exercise program and provide instruction on the correct form and technique.

Stretching helps improve flexibility, mobility, and elasticity in the disc muscles ligaments, and tendons. In general, any form of inactivity can is associate to progressive stiffness and consequently to middle back pain. Therefore, stretching is necessary in to push the range of motion as far as can be tolerated (in a controlled manner). Stretching helps increase mobility of the spine and soft tissue; in effect, the increase in motion provides a meaningful and sustained relief to the patient’s middle back pain. In addition, it is crucial to consider that our body does not work in isolation. This means it is important to activate and strengthen muscles not directly involve with the injured area such as shoulders and neck.

While middle back pain is not as common disorder problem as lower back pain, the best course of action in addressing such discomfort has always been proactive preventive measures such as engaging in proper exercise and diet. Healthy living is always best.

2. Right Side Back Pain

Right Side Back Pain

Right sided back pains have always been associated with old age. While more and more people are suffering from right side back pain we grow older, many do not realize the cause of the back pain (for example on the right side) and that such pain can be relieved by proper exercise, diet, and posture.

Many therapists may be content in dealing with the symptoms of the right sided back pain to provide patients with short term relief from low back and spine discomfort. While it is possible to provide therapy for a period of time, the most optimal way to deal with right side back pain is finding its root cause.

When we feel pain, our body sends out reaction signals from the pain source (sore lower back on the right side), through our nerves, into our spinal cord, and to our brain, where we perceive the soreness as pain. There are many types of pain ranging from chronic to acute lower back discomfort. Most patients would generally complain about their lower-back pain on the right side, left side or middle of the lower back.

Lower back right side pain can be attributed to different origins such as improper posture, excess weight, muscles imbalance and injury or trauma. In addition, a person’s psychological state such as depression, anxiety, stress, and anger can also contribute to lower back discomfort. In most cases, right side back pain can be addressed with proper exercise, diet, and posture.
Exercise seems to the best and preferred non-surgical option in addressing right side back pains. Proper exercise targeting the lower back on the right side muscles will help improve strength in the muscle area but also would also improve your overall balance. Exercising regularly is critical in keeping a healthy back. In fact, most therapists would agree that exercise is important for recovery for patients with chronic lower right side back pain.

Unfortunately, our fast-paced lifestyle and long hours of work, we become less active. As an outcome the muscles that support the spinal column become less supple and have less endurance. This decreases muscle tone; consequently, muscles can shrink, contract and tighten. Hence, your back feels tight most of the time and lower back pain on the right side is felt. Over time, as a patient feels more pain, the more patients are reluctant to exercise; thus, decreasing the opportunity to break the cycle.

Commitment to physical training and conditioning is therefore a must in order to address chronic right side back pain. It is prudent to ask your doctor before carrying out any strenuous exercise as it may aggravate the right side back pain problem further than help. For instance, improper weight training targeting the lower back muscles may lead to injury or trauma which may cause further harm. It is also imperative to get a physical trainer to assist you with proper exercise program. An exercise program would therefore help you not only address your current lower back problems, but also overall development program. While back pain on the right side, left side, or middle seems to be most prevalent cause of disability, simple preventive measures such as proper exercise would be a great solution.

1. Back Pain

Back Pain

A very familiar difficulty that ranges from a constant dull pain to a sharp sudden pain is back pain. Back pain can be from an accident, a fall, or lifting a heavy object or even from old age.
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80% to 90% of people experiences back pain and it is one of the most common medical conditions.

Risk Factors of back pain

There are a number of factors that increase the risk for back pain, these include:
AgeBack pain takes place between the ages 30 and 40. Back pain goes with old age.
Fitness levelWeak back and abdominal muscles do not support the spine properly that is why back pain occurs more to people who are not physically fit. People who exercise after being inactive will more likely to have back pain than people who exercise daily. Studies show that low impact aerobic exercise is excellent for the discs that acts as cushion for the vertebrae which are the individual bones that make up the spine.

Diet A lifestyle without exercise and proper diet that leads to obesity will put a lot of stress on the back which cause back pain.

HeredityVarious back pain, like disc disease, may be inherited.
RaceAfrican American women develop back pain two to three times more likely than white women do. African American women are prone to develop spondylolisthesis, a medical condition where the lumbar spine (the lower spine) slips out of place.
Other diseases:Arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis and cancer in other parts of the body may spread to the spine and contributes to back pain.
Occupational risk factorsA job that involves heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling and that twists or vibrates the spine can lead to back pain and injury. Also, and inactive desk job may lead to back pain especially with poor posture while sitting all day in an uncomfortable chair.
Cigarette smokingSmoking blocks your body’s ability to delivery the right nutrients to the discs of the lower back that leads to back pain. Also, repetitive coughing from heavy smoking may lead to back pain. Smokers are also less healthy or physically fit than those who does not smoke, which increases the risk for developing back pain. In addition, people who smoke heals slowly, which prolongs the pain for people who had back injuries, back surgery or broken bones.
The causes of Back painBack pain is a symptom of a medical condition and not a disease itself. Medical problems that can cause back pain are of the following:
Mechanical problems
Injuries
Acquired conditions and diseases
Infections and tumors

The causes of back pain are usually physical but there are psychological or emotional factors as well, including anxiety, depression, and fear that can also cause severe back pain and its duration. This is because stress will make the muscles of the body more tense and painful.
Back and Shoulder Pain
Back and Hip Pain
Back Pain Acupuncture
Chiropractic Back Pain
Back Pain Disgnosis
Back Pain Exercises
Back Pain in Children
Back Pain Management
Back Pain and Nerve
Back Pain Symptoms
Back Pain Therapy
Back Pain Treatment
Yoga for Back Pain
Back Pain Relief
Back Pain in Pregnancy
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Back and Kidney Pain
Chest and Back Pain
Back Pain and Sciatica

Back Pain Remedies!!!

Back Pain Remedies.

Maybe you picked up something heavy or swung a golf club exaggeratedly or you have sat on an uncomfortable chair beating up deadlines resulting to a back pain. And now, how you wish to could relieve the back pain that you’re feeling…

There are many back pain remedies that can be the solution to the intense pain felt by many people suffering from back pain. One can also employ back pain home remedies in giving right away treatments to their aching back. Bed rest is a way of eliminating the strain from the back muscles. This back pain remedy takes away the stress of the back muscle but longer periods of bed rest can worsen the situation. Ice therapy can help in reducing the pain experienced at the rear muscles. Applying the ice pack reduces the nerve’s ability to conduct painful stimulus.

Taking a hot bath can be a back pain reliever. Heat can help increase the elasticity of the muscles. Massage can also be a cure for back pain. If the patient has a cooperative husband, good friend or roommate, a simple rubdown from them can be a remedy. Aromatherapy for back pain has been used to deal with its severe pain. Fragrance aromatherapy oil (Evening Primrose Oil) that can be used thrice a day since it is a good anti-inflammatory, with the fatty acids of Evening Primrose Oil nurture the pinched nerves of the back.

Also, relaxation and deep-breathing exercises can help in loosening up sore back muscles. A soft, sagging mattress may contribute in worsening the back pain; thus investing in a new mattress would be a great solution. However, if it’s not within your budget, a three-quarter-inch-thick of plywood put amid the mattress and box spring may help somewhat.

There are also herbal back pain remedies that are said to be effective. Herbal plants (white willow bark, cayenne plaster and devil’s claw) can be churned out as herbal remedies for back pain. Though the effectiveness of the three plants had been tested, the availability and the dosage (for each herbal plant) exist as a setback, recommending herbal remedies for short-term use.

Acupuncture is one of the earliest procedures in treating disease. It was developed in relation with the theory that energy flows through body channels between body surfaces and internal organs. The position of acupuncture needles at particular pain points discharge endorphins and opioids, (the body’s painkillers) making the pain experienced by the patient less intense.

Back pain homeopathic pain remedy can also be tried in treating back pain. The chosen homeopathic pain remedy must match the patient’s symptoms. Many doctors recommend taking the remedy once and waiting for the body’s reaction. If the patient feels better then the remedy may be continually used; otherwise, this remedy must be stopped or another homeopathic pain remedy must be used.