Back Pain – Causes, Symptoms, Types and Exercises
By fioricetultram
Back pain is an all-too-familiar problem that can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that leaves you incapacitated. It can come on suddenly – from an accident, a fall, or lifting something too heavy – or it can develop slowly, perhaps as the result of age-related changes to the spine. Regardless of how it happens or how it feels, you know it when you have it. And chances are, if you don’t have it now, you will eventually.
Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, affects 7 out of 10 people at some time in their lives. Low back pain means a pain or ache anywhere on your back, in between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs.
The pain can come on suddenly, slowly or be the direct result of a fall or injury.
There are many causes of back pain.
• The most common cause is a strain of the back, which is a small tear of the back muscles or ligaments. This usually results from a sudden or awkward movement, or from lifting a heavy object. But often, a person can’t remember a particular incident that brought on the pain.
• Other common causes include poor muscle tone in the back, tension or spasm of the back muscles and problems with the joints that make up the back.
The symptoms for back pain are:
• Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the hips.
• Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity.
• Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods.
Types of Back Pain
Acute pain
One common type of pain is acute pain, currently defined as pain lasting less than 3 to 6 months, or pain that is directly related to tissue damage. This is the kind of pain that is experienced from a paper cut or needle prick. Other examples of acute pain include:
• Touching a hot stove or iron. This pain will cause a fast, immediate, intense pain with an almost simultaneous withdrawal of the body part that is being burned. More of an aching pain might be experience a few seconds after the initial pain and withdrawal.
Chronic back pain
Typically persists longer than the expected healing time for the identified cause of the pain—such as low back surgery—or persists after the identified cause of the pain has been treated.
Osteoarthritis
This is a long-term degeneration of the joints, which makes them less able to withstand stress. It’s a wear-and-tear problem that affects most of us as we get older and which can give rise to pain in some cases.
Exercises to minimize problems with back pain
You can minimize problems with back pain with exercises that make the muscles in your back, stomach, hips and thighs strong and flexible. Some people keep in good physical condition by being active in recreational activities like running, walking, bike riding, and swimming. In addition to these conditioning activities, there are specific exercises that are directed toward strengthening and stretching your back, stomach, hip and thigh muscles.
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Pain – Do You Know The Different Methods For Chronic Headache Pain Treatment?
By fioricetultram
People with chronic headaches often have pain 25 or more days a month, pain that is far more debilitating than scientists previously thought, according to an Ohio University researcher who is leading a study of 245 chronic headache sufferers.
Results from the study found that 66 percent of participants have headaches nearly every day.
The research was presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Headache in San Francisco.
Weekly records kept by patients indicate that more than 70 percent record disrupted sleep, fatigue and headache-related anxiety or stress. Forty-four percent say their headaches affect their performance at work or school and 72 percent said the pain caused them to miss work or school an average of 3.5 days in the last six months.
Unfortunately, chronic headache pain disrupts the lives of millions of people worldwide. Thankfully, there are ways to treat the debilitating discomfort of tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches. But, how do you know which kind of chronic headache pain treatment is right for you?
Chronic headache pain treatment includes medication or natural remedies. The first step is to visit your doctor to find out what kind of headache you have, and if it is chronic, then, a chronic headache pain treatment will be suggested by your doctor. Also, consider getting a second opinion just to be on the correct side of the diagnosis.
To be considered for chronic headache pain treatment, a person must have acute pain on a regular basis that is not cured by over-the-counter drugs, such as such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
Medication
Doctor-prescribed, brand-name medications are used frequently as chronic headache pain treatment methods. Medications, such as Imetrex or Maxalt, are typically used to treat chronic headache pain associated with migraines and cluster headaches. And, in very severe cases, strong narcotic painkillers, like Oxycodon and Vicodine, may be used as part of a chronic headache pain treatment plan. However, many doctors agree that a chronic headache pain treatment plan cannot consist of medication alone.
Seddon Savage, M.D., a pain specialist from Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, New Hampshire says, “Treatment for chronic pain is about much more than medication. It can also involve stress relief and relaxation, physical therapy, improved sleep and nutrition habits, and exercise.”
Alternative Methods
Medication is not for everybody. If you would rather find a more natural way to treat your pain, there are many alternative methods of chronic headache pain treatment.
? Acupuncture. Traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy uses small needles that are inserted into specific points of the body. Many people swear by this chronic headache pain treatment
? Acupressure. If acupuncture needles frighten you, you may want to try acupressure. Instead of needles, acupressure relies on fingertips to stimulate channels of energy in the body.
? Fragrant Oils. Some oils have been proven to be great chronic headache pain treatments. Try using peppermint oil, chamomile, rosemary, or lavender to alleviate your pain. Keep in mind, a little oil goes a long way.
Since pain varies from person to person, Chronic Headache pain treatment is individualized. While medication may work perfectly for some, acupuncture or acupressure works better for others.
For more information about chronic headache pain treatment, check out the National Headache Foundation’s website. This site may lead you in the right direction in order to find a chronic headache pain treatment plan that works best for you.
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Pain is the Messenger
By fioricetultram
The sad fact is that nearly everyone will experience pain at some time in his or her life. Unfortunately however for some people pain becomes an everyday experience.
Here in the UK studies have shown that about 20% of the population suffers from chronic pain (pain lasting for more than three months). Nearly 15% of the population suffers from chronic pain severe enough to prevent them from living a normal life.
Studies have also shown that many people do not have their pain managed effectively.
Lets be honest Pain is an unpleasant experience.
It involves sensory nerves that detect pain and the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) that alters the final experience of pain. Pain is also influenced by our emotional state.
The simplest form of pain to understand is acute pain, for example that which occurs if you cut yourself. This pain acts as a warning signal so that you protect the injured area. The pain originates from pain-sensing nerves at the site of injury and usually gets better quickly.
Pain doesn’t always get better and may become chronic. Chronic pain is more difficult to control than acute pain and frequently requires specialist assessment and treatment. Sometimes pain becomes a disease in itself, rather than just a symptom of a disease.
This is confusing both to the person with pain and their treating health professionals, sometimes resulting in unnecessary investigation and even surgery.
Another form of pain that is difficult to treat is neuropathic pain (pronounced new-row-pathick). Neuropathic pain results from abnormal function in, or injury to, the nervous system, for example pain following amputation (phantom limb pain) or sciatica.
Neuropathic pain is sometimes difficult to diagnose, and the treatment of neuropathic pain requires specialist knowledge.
Being in pain is a stressful experience and can have an impact on many areas of your life activity levels, work, social life, relationships and psychological well-being.
People often feel they are no longer in control of their life. Other people may have suggested that the pain is not real or is ‘in your head’ At Back Trouble UK we know that your pain is real and we are here to help.
Terry O’Brien
Back Trouble UK
www.backtrouble.co.uk
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Back Pain Solutions Without Surgery
By fioricetultram
Acute back pain may begin suddenly and usually lasts around 3 months. Chronic back pain sometimes lasts throughout life.
The most common back pain is low back pain (LBP). It is is often described as sudden, sharp, persistent, or dull pain felt below the waist. LBP is very common and affects the majority of people at some point during their life. Up to 70%–85% of all people have back pain at some time in their lives. LBP is the most common cause of a limitation of activity in people younger than 45 years of age. It is the second most frequent reason for visits to a physician, and the third most common indication for surgery. It is the fifth-ranking cause of hospital admissions and is one of the leading causes of disability.
Low back pain is most commonly caused by muscle strain associated with heavy physical work, lifting or forceful movement, bending or twisting, awkward positions, or standing in one position too long. Any of these movements can exacerbate a prior or existing back disorder. Other conditions that can cause low back pain include spinal stenosis, arthritis (osteoarthritis), spinal infection (osteomyelitis), spinal tumors (benign and malignant), spondylolisthesis, and vertebral fractures (e.g. burst fracture).
Low back pain is either acute or chronic. Acute LBP may begin suddenly with intense pain usually lasting fewer than three months. Chronic pain is persistent long-term pain, sometimes lasting throughout life. Even chronic pain may present episodes of acute pain. Other symptoms include localized pain in a specific area of the low back, general aching, and/or pain that radiates into the low back, general aching, and/or pain that radiates into the low back, buttocks and leg(s). Sometimes pain is accompanied by neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness. Neurological symptoms requiring immediate medical attention include bowel or bladder dysfunction, groin or leg weakness or numbness, severe symptoms that do not subside after a few days, or pain prohibiting everyday activities.
Pain felt in the low back is not always indicative of a spinal problem. A thorough physical and neurological assessment may reveal the cause of the low back pain. The physical examination begins with the patient’s current condition and medical history. Examination of a patient with low back pain involves examining the patient’s range of spinal motion while standing straight, bending forward, and to the side. Asymmetry, posture, and leg length is noted. Methodical palpation of the spine can reveal muscle spasm, possible bony displacement, and tender points. Abdominal palpation is performed to determine if the cause of low back pain is possibly organ related (e.g. pancreas). The neurological assessment evaluates weakness, absence of reflexes, tingling, burning, pain, diminished function, and other signs that may indicate nerve involvement.
If infection, malignancy, fracture, or other risk factors are suspected, routine lab tests may be ordered. These tests may include complete blood count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR), and urinalysis. In some cases electrodiagnostic studies such as electromyography (EMG) or nerve condition velocity (NCV) are performed to confirm a diagnosis or localize the site of nerve injury. Plain radiographs (x-rays), CT Scan, and/or MRI studies are performed when fracture or neurological dysfunction is suspected. A MRI represents the gold standard in imaging today. A MRI renders high-resolution images of spinal tissues such as the spinal cord and intervertebral discs. X-rays are still the imaging methods of choice to study the bony elements in the low back. The results of the physical and neurological examinations combines with test results are carefully evaluated to confirm a diagnosis.
Most patients with low back pain are treated without surgery. A conventional treatment plan may include bed rest for a day or two combines with medication to reduce inflammation and pain. Medications recommended by the physician are based on the patient’s medical condition, age, other drugs the patient currently takes, and safety. The first choice for pain relief is often nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs should be taken with food to prevent stomach upset and stomach bleeding. Muscle relaxants may provide relief from muscle spasm but are actually benign sedatives, which often cause drowsiness. Narcotic pain relievers are prescribed for use during the acute phase and often for chronic pain management in appropriate patients.
Other modalities to treat low back pain might include physical therapy (PT), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) trial, ultrasound therapy, acupuncture and massage therapy. A managed PT program can help build muscle strength and flexibility, improve mobility, coordination, stability and balance, and promote relaxation. Patients who participate in a structured physical therapy program often progress to wellness more rapidly than those who do not. This includes low back maintenance through a home exercise program developed for the patient by the physical therapist.
Although the number of spinal surgeries done every year is on the rise, it is rarely required to treat low back pain. Surgery may be considered if the patient is experiencing bowel or bladder dysfunction, increased nerve impairment, progressive weakness, incapacitating pain, or spinal instability. The surgical procedure depends on the diagnosis or the cause of low back pain. To prevent low back pain, first and foremost, follow the treatment plan outlined by the physician. To enhance recovery from an episode of low back pain, or to help prevent future exacerbation, try to maintain good posture, be consistent in a home exercise program, and eat sensibly to maintain proper body weight.
About Walton Rehabilitation Health System:
Walton Rehabilitation Health Systems (WRHS) is a leading not-for-profit comprehensive, multi-specialty, dedicated provider of physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our mission is to be an advocate for wellness by providing a continuum of services to treat the whole person. WRHS, whose reputation extends throughout the south, is a trusted partner with just the right expertise and treatments to help people with disabling injuries and illnesses return to work and to a fulfilling life. By pursuing its mission, WRHS has grown to include Walton Pain and Headache Centers, Walton Community Services, Walton Options for Independent Living, Walton Foundation for Independence, and Walton Technologies. We are located at: 1355 Independence Drive, Augusta, GA 30901-1037. For more information visit www.wrh.org or call 866-4-WALTON.
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November 10th, 2010