Back Pain Cause

Muscular back pain and back pain symptoms are some of the most commonly experienced health issues worldwide.  They say that 8 out of every 10 people will experience back pain at least once in their lives.  One of the possibly surprising causes of lower back pain is inactivity, lack of movement.  It’s believed that continued muscle strain can lead to an imbalance in the structure of the spine, which leads to constant tension on muscles, ligaments, discs and bones.  This makes the back more injury prone.

These back pain causes can exacerbate each another, meaning that if you strain a muscle, you’ll walk or move differently to avoid the pain or tightness.  This can cause a strain of other muscles that don’t usually work that way.

Some of the most common back pain causes can be one or more of the following issues:

• Misuse or overuse of a muscle (muscle strain), ligament or joint

• Injury or re-injury

• Pressure on nerve roots which could be a herniated disc or osteoarthritis (degeneration of the joint)

• Spondylolysis or Spondylolisthesis: vertebra slide over each other when aggravated by doing certain things

• Spinal stenosis: a narrowing of the spinal canal which usually develops with age

• Vertebrae fractures caused by a lot of force like a car accident or other intense blow to the spine, or a compression of the spine by falling on your head or buttocks

• Spinal deformities include a curvature of the spine such as scoliosis (side curvature) or kyphosis (outward curvature)

• Compression fractures are more common with postmenopausal women with Osteoporosis or men or women after long-term use of corticosteroids (psoriasis treatment)

• Inactivity or sitting.  You sit at home, you sit in your car, you sit at work, you come home and sit, and you go to bed

Treating Lower Back Pain

Treating lower back pain can vary depending on your back pain cause and symptoms.  As I’ve indicated in prior articles, a lower back pain remedy could include some of the following treatments:

• Heat or Ice
• Back pain medicine such as pain killers and anti inflammatories, back pain ointments and creams
• Massage therapy
• Accupuncture
• Muscle stretching exercises and/or back strengthening exercises
• Physical therapy
• Steroid injections

In May, 2009 the American Pain Society issued new guidelines on treating lower back pain, indicating that noninvasive procedures are recommended over surgical procedures.  Surgery should be a last resort as a treatment for chronic back pain.

Lower Back Pain Remedy

To find the right lower back pain remedy for you, I’ve listed several of the best options including some treatments above:

• Muscle stretches, lower back stretches
• Back strengthening exercises, lower back strengthening 
• Massage therapies and muscle balance therapy
• Accupuncture
• Natural herbal back pain remedies
• Ointments, liniments and plasters
• Movement!  Stay loosened up, move around
• Spinal decompression (inversion tables)
• A total treatment approach that focuses on stabilization, focusing locally on the muscles, then training and conditioning muscles to increase function and decrease disability
• Laser therapy for disc herniations
• Back pain relief products

• Body and back supports, braces and belts
• Ergonomic chairs and seating like massage and heat chairs and zero gravity recliners
• Exercise equipment and inversion tables
• Car and travel back pain and mobility aids
• Foot health (big cause of back pain) and orthopedic footwear
• Hot and cold therapy
• Lumbar supports and pillows
• Therapeutic beds and sleeping aids
• Magnetic therapy
• Electronic stimulation – TENS unit (I Love mine).  See it at the Back Pain Relief Products link above

There are many options available in treating lower back pain depending on your back pain cause.  Finding a lower back pain remedy that works for you and your situation is key.  Obviously, if you suffer from acute lower back pain or chronic lower back pain (three to six months or more), you need to see your doctor to make sure there’s nothing more serious going on.

There are a lot of very helpful back pain relief products available for temporary and long-term back pain relief and sciatic nerve relief.  However there are only a few quality, highly reputable back pain specific providers I recommend:

Contour Living – Save on quality back and neck products

Innovative back and joint pain products including health tips, latest research and therapies. Discover smart solutions in ergonomics, supports, exercise, massage products and much more!

Relax The Back – the best back care, core strengthening and relaxation products on the market

I hope this information is helpful to you.  Being a prior back pain sufferer myself, I know how difficult and frustrating it can be to find a back pain product that works for you.  Please let me know if you have any questions or specific issues that you’d like help with.  I will work with you personally to find the best answers and back pain solution for you.

 

More articles across the web about back pain cause:

Back Pain Stretching & Exercise Program

Back Pain Stretching & Exercise Program Back pain can be an excruciating symptom of damage that …

Some Things That Can Be Considered Chronic Back Pain Cause

Aside from the common chronic back pain cause of things like lifting heavy objects or taking a big …

muscle or kidney pain? | Your Back Pain Cause And Cure Guide

I lift weights all the time, and just the day after I finished my back workout (which is generally u …

 

 Mail this post

Popularity: 13% [?]

Technorati Tags: acute lower back pain, Back Pain Cause, back pain product, Back Pain Relief Products, back pain symptom, lower back pain remedy, muscular back pain, sciatic nerve relief, treating lower back pain

Back Pain Cause: Stop Your Back Pain Cause Now

Everyone experiences occasional back pain at some point in their lives. But, for those who suffer from acute lower back pain or lower back muscle spasms, it can be very debilitating, and greatly affects the quality of life. Muscular back pain or lumbar back pain may be a result of back pain causes like injury, sciatica symptoms, or muscle spasms. Or, it can be a result of a more general condition like arthritis. It can range in intensity from infrequent aches and pains to burning back pain, sharp back pain, or chronic, disabling pain. Lower back muscle pain and back pain symptoms are linked to physical exertion, misuse, overuse, or injury. It can include herniated disks, sciatica symptoms, and other serious back problems. Tension can also result in muscular back pain.

It’s estimated that 4 out of every 5 adults suffer from back pain at least once during their life. It’s also one of the main causes of absence from work. General muscle pain is the second highest reason for doctor visits, where an estimated 80% of Americans have muscle pain of some type. Too many times, we abuse our backs and muscles, pushing them to or beyond their limit. This is how so many of back pain cause issues begin. There are many exercises, therapies, and medicines that can provide back pain relief, but you must first determine the cause of the pain, the severity of the pain, and what you and your doctor determine as the best treatment for lower back pain.

There is good news. Low back pain exercises will help most people if they do their exercises consistently and correctly. Aside from ‘targeted’ back pain exercises, if you just stretch regularly, particularly before performing strenuous activity, it will help your back pain cause greatly. There are also natural therapies and back pain medicine that will help alleviate your back pain.

Chronic Back Pain Relief

You can help improve the strength, resilience, and flexibility of your lower back and spine by remaining aware of these things for chronic back pain relief:

Posture: Always be conscientious about your posture. Good posture is a key in helping your spine and strengthening your back (and stomach, which supports your spine).

Lifting, Turning, and Bending: Always crouch down and use your legs to lift things, rather than put that strain on your back. Be aware of your movements while carrying things, or turning, such as awkward angles and jerking when lifting or moving things. You can help prevent chronic back pain.

Nutrition: If you do not do this already, taking vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, can play a big part in strengthening your back. Calcium, magnesium, and protein-based nutrition help strengthen your back, and magnesium and calcium supplements can also help leg cramps.

Footwear: You should always wear appropriate footwear, particularly if you have back problems, as high heels, narrow shoe heels, etc. are the worst things for your back.

Back Strengthening Exercises and Muscle Stretching Exercises

If you want to increase the strength, flexibility, and resilience of your back, muscle stretching exercises and back strengthening exercises are necessary to keep your bones and muscles strong and flexible. As with any other type of exercise, low back pain exercises should be done gradually to prevent injury or furthering a current injury. You must condition your back, as any other part of your body, to promote healing, health, and function.

Your doctor or physical therapist can prescribe targeted exercises, and there are physical therapy courses that help to educate you about the importance of using ergonomic tools such as proper desk, computer, and chair height, ergonomic computer keyboards, ergo chairs, etc. All of the ergonomic tools help to reduce all types of muscle strain. The therapist can also teach you the correct ways of sitting, standing (i.e., one leg cocked, which offsets your spine & pelvis), walking, lifting, and repetitive motion, which are also back pain causes, and cause a lot of injuries. All of these things will help prevent future problems from arising.

You should always stretch prior to doing any exercise or exertive physical activity, particularly if you are not very active, or in the best physical condition.

Lose the Back Pain

There are may ways you can lose the back pain.  Besides low back pain exercises, a lower back pain remedy can include physical therapy treatments like massage, heat, ice, electrical stimulation (i.e., ultrasound), and other techniques can be used to help relieve muscle or back pain. Acupuncture for back pain, chiropractic care, and natural therapies can also help. There are physical aids available, such as back braces, to help support and strengthen your spine by holding your stomach in, and keeping your spine in the correct position. This also helps reduce back strain.

Body, back, and muscle therapy is very useful in helping to providing pain relief and body function. Massage is regularly recommended, and used to relieve tension and pain. It helps increase circulation, which brings nutrients and oxygen to the affected muscles, and helps carry the toxins away. There are other body, muscle, and back pain therapies that are effective, such as Reflexology (pressure is applied to “reflex” points on the hands and feet), Shiatsu (pressure applied to the meridians of the body to improve circulation and ease pain), Rolfing (connective tissue and muscles are manipulated), and the Feldenkrais method (new ways of moving your body to relax tense or cramped muscles). However, these methods must be performed by trained practitioners.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils from herbs and plants for muscle pain relief, and inflammation or muscle spasms associated with it. Some common essential oils for muscle pain include ginger, peppermint, marjoram, and thyme. These oils can be applied with gentle massages or compresses, and some can be added to a warm bath.

If your back pain does not go away in spite of exercise and other non-invasive treatments, surgery may be a necessary option. It is very important that you see a professional back pain doctor (orthopedic surgeon or other spinal/back specialist) to get expert advice and diagnosis of your back pain cause. This can help you understand different treatment options, and the amount of chronic back pain relief they can provide to lose the back pain.

Back Pain Relief Products

The main focus of muscular back pain is to bring proper function and conditioning back to your spine, and eliminate worsening or future problems. For most people, back pain can be treated without surgery. Common back pain relief products include back pain medicine may include over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or non-steriod anti-inflammatory durgs (NSAIDs), used for milder pain. Both acetaminophen and NSAIDs relieve pain caused by stiffness and muscle aches, but NSAIDs can also reduce inflammation. There are also topical pain relievers such as sprays, creams, and lotions that you can apply directly to the skin to relieve the pain. If these non-prescription, OTC medicines don’t provide relief, treatment may have to include stronger medications like muscle relaxants, prescription NSAIDs, anti-anxiety drugs, or anti-depressants, among others.

There are a lot of choices in back pain relief products.  But, selecting the right one for you is key.  You want a reputable leader that works with top brand name leaders and prides itself on providing a variety of quality back-specific back pain products and guarantees like the one above.  It’s also very important that you use correct posture, be conscientious when turning, lifting, and bending.  Proper nutrition, footwear, and muscle stretching exercises and back strengthening exercises are also key, and you have control over all of these.  A natural lower back pain remedy like massage, aromatherapy or yoga, and various natural and professional therapies like acpuncture back pain treatment can all help you lose the back pain.

*Always consult with your physician regarding lower back muscle pain, as you should with any physical condition.

You can see my article at Blog Catalog: Stop Your Back Pain Cause Now

 

More related articles across the web on back pain causes and back pain symptoms:

Relaxobak® Orthopedic Seat Cushion Review: RelaxoBak® Review and ...I'll tell you about its origin, the types of back pain it's suppose to help, whether it' ...

Information about Common Causes of Back Pain… Read more…

Anti-Cholesterol Drug May Ease Back Pain …   Read more…

Tips to get rid of back pain…   Read more…Natural Remedies for lower back pain… Read more…

I feel the few products and companies are so unique and can really help a lot of people, I've recently become an affiliate on their behalf.  Because I get rewarded a commission when you purchase through the links on this site, I'm able to spend more time on providing valuable information and getting the word out on these great products, which helps everyone involved!

Please be sure to let me know the results you have.  It's always good to get personal feedback from my visitors.  Thanks!

 Mail this post

Popularity: 50% [?]

Technorati Tags: acute lower back pain, Back Pain Cause, back pain product, Back Pain Relief Products, back pain symptom, back strengthening exer, chronic back pain relief, lower back muscle spasms, muscular back pain

Back Pain Remedy: Lose the Back Pain and Find a Back Pain Remedy For You

Back pain is the 2nd most common neurological disorder in the U.S.  You may have sudden back pain, or a burning back pain.  It can be temporary, or a long-term debilitating pain with back pain symptoms such as lower back muscle spasms, a pinched nerve, herniated discs, sciatica symptoms (nerve pain radiating from lower back down the leg), herniated discs, or referred back pain (radiates to your buttocks, groin area, or legs).  Your back pain symptom can be caused by things so simple as dehydration, lack of nutrition or exercise, need for supplements, and emotional stress.

Muscular back pain is all too common in today’s world, but there are a lot of choices you can make in treatment of lower back pain.  You should always consult with your doctor to diagnose the cause of your back pain, and discuss how to get rid of back pain.

Lose the Back Pain

Besides back strengthening exercises, you can lose the back pain with natural techniques and treatment alternatives that are gentle, and help address the underlying problem.  Some of these are natural vitamins, minerals, and supplements.  There are also natural techniques that help as a natural back pain remedy to alleviate your back pain cause, including sciatic nerve relief, chronic back pain relief, herniated disc treatment, and other techniques used in healing back pain:

1)  Vitamin D – Chronic muscle pain can result from a deficiency of Vitamin D.  It is found in small-boned fish, fortified milk, and cereal.

2)  Vitamin B12 – Has been found to relieve back pain.  People who received vitamin B12 have shown a statistically significant reduction in pain and disability. They also used less pain medication than a placebo group.

3)  Music therapy – Music therapy has been found to reduce disability, anxiety, and depression associated with chronic pain, and has been shown to dramatically reduce pain immediately.

4)  Breathing Techniques – Breathing techniques that use the mind-body connection have been found to reduce lower back muscle pain. They integrate body awareness, breathing, movement, and meditation, and you can do them yourself at home at no cost.  One study compared 6-8 weeks of breath therapy to physical therapy, and patients improved significantly with breath therapy.  Other benefits of breath therapy were improved coping skills, and new insight into the effect of stress on the body.

5)  Exercise – See Back Strengthening Exercises, which includes quick and simple Back Stretching Exercises.

6) Massage Therapy – Studies have found that massage may be effective for sub-acute and chronic back pain relief.  It has also been found to reduce anxiety and depression associated with acute lower back pain. Massage therapy is also the most popular therapy for pregnancy and back pain.

7)  Yoga – Yoga creates balance in the body through various poses that develop flexibility and strength.  A study of people with chronic mild low back pain compared Iyengar yoga (highly respected yoga instructor) to back education.  After 16 weeks, there was a significant reduction in pain intensity, disability, and reliance on back pain medications in the yoga group. Benefits were also seen at the three month follow up.

8)  Pilates – Uses the mind to control the muscles.  It focuses on the core postural muscles, which help keep the body balanced, and are essential in providing support for the spine.  Pilates exercises teach awareness of breath, and alignment of the spine, to strengthen the deep torso muscles.

9)  Acupuncture – A very thin needle is used at areas called “meridians.”  It’s used as a very effective treatment for many symptoms, and is one of the most time-tested treatments known.  There are many different forms, and it’s usually not painful.  It seems to have very few side effects, and appears to be safe for pain management.

10)   Bowen Therapy – Gentle bodywork where the therapist uses a series of specialized moves using their fingers and thumbs, pulling the skin slack away from the muscle, applying pressure, and quickly releasing the tension.  They are performed on specific areas of muscles where special receptors are located. Nerve impulses are sent to the brain, resulting in muscle relaxation and reduction of pain.

11)  Alexander Technique – This technique teaches people to improve their posture, and eliminate bad habits such as slouching, which can all lead to pain, muscle tension, and decreased mobility.

12)  Prolotherapy – Addresses damaged ligaments (connective tissue) to relieve chronic musculoskeletal pain.  It involves an injection of a solution into soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons. This triggers local inflammation, and triggers the body’s natural healing response, which repairs the weakened soft tissues and relieves pain.  There is often mild pain with this treatment, but can be reduced by a local anesthetic.  A typical course of treatment is 10 to 25 sessions for back pain.  Since it is believed to repair the joint, no other treatment is necessary. Preliminary studies have found that back pain, which often involves ligament injury, responds particularly well to prolotherapy.

13) Balneotherapy – One of the oldest therapies for pain relief.  “Balneo” comes from the Latin word, balneum, meaning bath.  It’s a form of hydrotherapy, bathing in mineral water or warm water.  In a study comparing bathing in mineral water to plain tap water, mineral water containing sulphur was superior in reducing pain, and improving mobility. Dead Sea salts and other sulphur-containing bath salts can be found in spas, health food stores, and online.  *People with heart conditions should not use balneotherapy unless they are under the supervision of their physician.

Other natural therapies include:

Trager Approach

Hellerwork

Feldenkrais Method

Other natural pain relievers used as a back pain remedy include:

Willow Bark:  The bark of the white willow tree has pain-relieving properties similar to aspirin.  An ingredient in it, salicin, is converted to salicylic acid in the body (aspirin is also converted to salicylic acid when in the body). Salicylic acid is believed to be the active compound that relieves pain and inflammation.

Capsaicin Cream (capsaicin is in chili peppers, and provides analgesic relief).

There are a lot of simple and natural alternatives to natural back pain relief, including vitamins and supplements, massage and music therapy, breathing techniques, back strengthening exercises and back stretching exercise.  There are many techniques and methods used as indicated above, as well as alternative natural pain relievers.

*You should consult with your physician about your back pain cause, and determine your back pain symptom before taking it upon yourself to find the most appropriate back pain remedy.

 

More information on relieving back pain from across the web:

Relieving Back Pain…   Read more…

Trying Yoga for Back Pain? Pick the RIGHT Poses (Part 1.   Read more

Trying Yoga for Back Pain? RIGHT Poses (Part 2 … Read more…

Alexander Technique Blog – Back Pain Last summer the British Journal of Medicine published a large randomized study that showed an 85% reduction in back pain through lessons in the Alexander Technique. After a year, patient…   Read more…

I feel the few products and companies I recommend are so unique and can really help a lot of people, I've become an affiliate recently.  Because I get rewarded a commission when you purchase through the links on this site, I can spend more time getting the word out on these great products, which helps everyone involved!

Please be sure to let me know the results you get.  It's always good to get personal feedback from my visitors.  Thanks!

 Mail this post

Popularity: 10% [?]

Technorati Tags: Back Pain Cause, Back Pain Remedy, back pain symptom, burning back pain, chronic back pain relie, lose the back pain, lower back muscle spasms, muscular back pain, referred back pain, sudden back pain

Back Pain Symptoms

This article reviews the most common back pain symptoms, and how to get rid of back pain.  Some of the primary causes of acute lower back pain are mis-using or straining your back, poor physical condition, lack of exercise or back strengthening exercises, dehydration, and poor posture.  There are many symptoms of muscular back pain including a sudden back pain, burning back pain, chest back pain, thoracic back pain, sharp back pain, referred back pain, back hip pain, back shoulder pain, sciatic back pain, lower back and leg pain, lumbar back pain, back leg pain and lower back muscle spasms, herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerated discs, and ruptured discs. The various suggested treatments include: physical therapy, cox lumbar distraction, conventional chiropractic care, to vertebral axial decompression or VAX-D. 

Over 80% of Americans will develop lower back pain at some point in their lives. A sizeable percentage of those people will have disc problems that cause the back pain. Some low back pain causes are due to sprains and strains which involve overstretching and/or tearing of the muscles, tendons and ligaments that connect into the spine. Ligaments connect bone to bone over a joint. Tendons connect muscles to bone. When they get overstretched or torn, the pain can be excruciating. Rest and physical therapy modalities such as ice, heat, ultrasound, diathermy, and electrical muscle stimulation can enhance the healing process.

Causes of Back Pain can be Complex
There are many causes of low back pain and very often a patient may be suffering from multiple causes. In other words, two or more causes may be superimposed resulting in pain either in full or in part. Perhaps a mechanical spinal problem causes lower back pain while disc pathology causes the pain in the buttock and leg. Or two problems cause similar overlapping pain in the same patient.

Subluxations: One of the most common causes of back pain is subluxations of the spinal vertebrae. This is a condition where the vertebrae move out of place and become locked in the misaligned position. Once this occurs, it places great stress on the spinal joints, the discs and the nerves. Treatment consists of chiropractic adjustments to correct the misalignments and relieve the stress on the joints, discs and nerves.

Facet syndrome is directly related to subluxations. The articular joints that are between the vertebrae are called facet joints. When facet joints are under stress, they can misalign and the vertebra can tip backwards, placing great pressure on the nerves. The joints can degenerate and the body reacts by developing bone spurs or osteophytes. This is called facet hypertrophy and arthrosis and is a permanent condition.

Degenerated disc usually develops as a result of stress on the spine. The discs cannot handle the stress and they gradually wear away. As the discs thin out, the vertebrae get closer together and the nerves can become compressed or irritated. The discs also have very small sinu vertebral nerves in them and when they become irritated, they can also cause pain.

Herniated discs can be compared to jelly donuts. There is a gel in the middle of the disc surrounded by annular ligaments. The gel can push out the annular fibers causing direct pressure to the nerves. This will cause pain along the course of the spinal nerves. If the irritated nerve travels down the buttock to the thigh and leg, then the symptoms will be in those areas. When nerves are irritated, symptoms can range from pain alone to pain, tingling, numbness and weakness in the leg. This is commonly referred to as sciatica. This simply means pain along the course of the sciatic nerve. This can be a very debilitating condition and if the weakness gets severe enough, it can result in what is known as "foot drop". The patient has difficulty lifting his toes and foot upward so the foot drags on the floor as he walks. As the condition worsens, he may require an assistive device and eventually, a wheel chair. Surgery may or may not be effective with foot drop, depending on the severity of nerve damage. This is determined with multiple tests called electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies.

A Ruptured Disc is a herniated disc where the gel (nucleus pulposus) has broken through the annular ligaments and presses on the nerve.

Sacroiliac Syndrome involves a slippage of the sacroiliac joint (SI). When the ilium or hip bone subluxates, it rotates and slips against the articular surface of the sacrum. The joint becomes inflamed and this can cause low back pain.

Stenosis is a condition where a protruding, herniated or ruptured disc and/or ligament hypertrophy (enlargement of the ligaments surrounding the spinal cord and vertebrae), facet arthrosis and osteophytes narrow the spinal canal and place pressure on the spinal cord and/or spinal nerves. In most cases, the patient will get relief sitting or standing and bending forwards because it slightly opens the space where the spinal cord and nerves are located.

Lower back pain requires a very extensive examination, consisting of a multitude of orthopedic, neurological and structural tests to help isolate the cause(s) of the pain. Sometimes xrays are necessary to further evaluate the condition. An MRI is valuable because it takes "minute cuts" of the spine in different directions in order to better visualize the joints and the discs.

Treatment Options
If the problems stems from soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons, joint capsules), then physical therapy is the most likely the best treatment. The extent of treatment depends on the damage to the soft tissues. If it involves an overstretching of the muscles, a few weeks of treatment should be sufficient. If there is tearing involved, then more treatment will be necessary to elicit the healing process. However, in most of these cases, due to spasms and or weakness in muscles, the vertebrae can subluxate, thereby complicating the problem.

If the disc is damaged and this is determined to be the cause of the back and/or leg pain, then there are two conservative treatments that may help. (The reason I say that the disc is determined to be the cause, is that 31% of all adults who do not have low back pain, have herniated discs according to MRI studies. The first is Cox lumber/cervical Distraction, which is a manual, painless, safe procedure performed by a chiropractor to remove the pressure and stress to the discs and nerves.

The second disc treatment for the more problematic patients is Vertebral Axial Decompression or VAX-D. VAX-D decompresses the lumbar spine and discs to remove the pressure on the discs and nerves, not only relieving pain and other related symptoms, but elicits retraction of the nucleus pulposus, commonly called the "gel". The challenge is trying to get the "toothpaste back into the tube" and VAX-D has a 71% success rate. Be aware of simple traction devices that are promoted as "decompression". They are not equal by any means. Take your time to compare the research. VAX-D is performed by various types of doctors, including some neurologists and some chiropractors.

In my experience, physical therapy does not get great results with disc problems because it does not address the disc specifically. The goal of physical therapy is to reduce inflammation and pain with the modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound and electrical muscle stimulation and then strengthen the muscles surrounding the spine. This approach just does not help the discs.

Acupuncture helps to assist the body in healing itself by harmonizing the energy patterns throughout the body. Some people claim it numbs the nerves. If it helps a patient, I encourage him to continue because it is not going to hurt him, except in one case, where there is nerve damage and the acupuncture delays treatment of the disc and allows it to get worse. The same can be said for physical therapy.

Subluxations and facet syndrome can be treated with chiropractic adjustments, which are gentle procedures performed with the chiropractor’s hands to move the subluxated vertebrae back into their normal functional positions. This takes the stress off of the nerves, joints and discs. Usually, a patient has to go for his adjustments several times per week for a few weeks to stabilize his condition.

VAX-D can help some cases of stenosis if the discs are involved. If VAX-D is not successful or not indicated, the only other option is surgery. There are several types of surgeries such as a discectomy, a laminectomy, natural fusion and prosthetic fusion. The various surgeries depend on the extent of the disc damage. I am not a surgeon and therefore these types of surgeries are beyond my scope and I prefer not to get into great detail about them. Suffice to say that a discectomy is the milder, least invasive surgery and fusion using hardware is the most invasive. The long term benefits are limited and should be carefully weighed when considering any form of surgery. However if cauda equina syndrome is present, usually immediate surgery is necessary because this causes bowel and/or urinary bladder dysfunction.

If you are suffering with constant low back pain or occasional low back pain, you should be examined by a specialist to determine the cause and the extent of your problem before it is too late! The earlier spinal problems are taken care of, the better chance for a successful outcome. Patients need to understand the potential causes and why certain testing may be necessary. Unfortunately, in these days of managed care, many insurance carriers insist on treatment without appropriate diagnostic testing.

This presents a challenge for both the patient and the doctor since a decision needs to be made as to whether guesswork should be used to care for the patient. If a diagnosis is wrong because the appropriate tests were not performed, then the correct problem will not be addressed and therefore a delay in the proper treatment for that condition will ensue. Patient education is in important component of this process.

Low Back Pain: The Real Scoop
Site for low back and neck pain caused by a herniated disc

By Jay Schwartz Published: 3/10/2009

 Mail this post

Popularity: 15% [?]

Technorati Tags: acute lower back pain, back pain symptom, back pain symptoms, back strengthening exercises, burning back pain, chest back pain, how to get rid of back pain, muscular back pain, sudden back pain, thora

Is Your Back Pain Kidney Related?

Are you concerned that your back pain cause might be a symptom of a kidney infection?  If you’re not sure, there are ways to tell if a back pain symptom is lower back muscle pain or a kidney infection.

Your kidneys are at the back of your stomach behind the liver and intestines in the small of your back on either side of your spine.  So, the pain from a kidney infection is usually in that area of the back to the sides of the spine, just above the hips.  There will usually be a tenderness in this area with kidney-related pain.

If you have a trauma or direct injury to the back over this area, it can cause direct injury to the kidneys.  This is where the phrase “kidney punch” comes from.

Kidney infection pain usually comes from the kidneys themselves, but it can often appear as muscular back pain. Kidney pain’s also tricky, because it can radiate to many different parts of the body. It’s acute lower back pain, meaning that it usually sets in very quickly, and normally doesn’t last longer than the infection lasts. The kidney infection pain goes away with the healing of the infection, or passing of a kidney stone.

Back pain from trauma or injury usually doesn’t go away this quickly. Lower back and leg pain from an injury can initially seem very similar to pain from a kidney infection. However, an injured back usually doesn’t get worse if you gently push on the part of the back directly over the kidneys. There are usually other signs that distinguish the difference between the pain from a kidney infection and back injury.  Symptoms from a kidney infection might include pain with urination, fever, and chills, and you might also be able to see blood in the urine or by labwork.

If you question whether you have a kidney infection or back pain symptom, you should consult your doctor for further evaluation.  You should always seek treatment for lower back pain.  There can be other attributing factors, and it’s better to diagnose it correctly, and find a solution sooner rather than later.

 

More information across the web:

Kidney Back Pain Symptoms- A Few Details…   Read more…

Problems, 22, 01-25-2008 10:48 AM. … 

Pelvic/hip/back pain – what’s wrong with me?…Read more…

The Hot Stone League…
It is a problem that doctors found when they were looking for the source of Mauer’s back pain…   Read more…

 Mail this post

Popularity: 17% [?]

Technorati Tags: acute lower back pain, Back Pain Cause, back pain kidney, back pain symptom, lower back and leg pain, lower back muscle pain, lower back pain kidney, muscular back pain, treatment for lower back pain

Stop Your Back Pain Cause Now!

Everyone experiences occasional back pain at some point in their lives. But, for those who suffer from acute lower back pain or lower back muscle spasms, it can be very debilitating, and greatly affects the quality of life. Muscular back pain or a lumbar back pain may be caused by an injury, sciatica symptoms, or muscle spasms. Or, it can be a result of a more general condition like arthritis. It can range in intensity from infrequent aches and pains to burning back pain, sharp back pain, or chronic, disabling pain. Lower back muscle pain and back pain symptoms are linked to physical exertion, misuse, overuse, or injury. Your back pain cause could include herniated disks, sciatica symptoms, and other serious back problems. Tension can also result in muscular back pain.

It’s estimated that 4 out of every 5 adults suffer from back pain at least once during their life. It s also one of the main causes of absence from work. General muscle pain is the second highest reason for doctor visits, where an estimated 80% of Americans have muscle pain of some type. Too many times, we abuse our backs and muscles, pushing them to or beyond their limit. This is how so many of these issues begin. There are many exercises, therapies, and medicines that can provide back pain relief, but you must first determine the cause of the pain, the severity of the pain, and what you and your doctor determine as the best treatment for lower back pain.

There is good news - Lower back pain exercise will help if exercises consistently and correctly. Aside from targeted back pain exercises, if you just stretch regularly, particularly before strenuous activity, it will help greatly. There are also natural therapies and back pain medicine that will help.

Lower Back Pain Remedy

You can help improve the strength, resilience, and flexibility of your lower back and spine by remaining aware of these things:

Posture: Always be conscientious about your posture. Good posture is a key in helping your spine and strengthening your back (and stomach, which supports your spine).

Lifting, Turning, and Bending: Always crouch down and use your legs to lift things, rather than put that strain on your back. Be aware of your movements while carrying things, or turning, such as awkward angles and jerking when lifting or moving things. You can help prevent chronic back pain.

Nutrition: If you do not do this already, taking vitamins and minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, can play a big part in strengthening your back. Calcium, magnesium, and protein-based nutrition help strengthen your back, and magnesium and calcium supplements can also help leg cramps.

Footwear: You should always wear appropriate footwear, particularly if you have back problems, as high heels, narrow shoe heels, etc. are the worst things for your back.

Back Strengthening Exercises

If you want to increase the strength, flexibility, and resilience of your back, back strengthening exercises are necessary to keep your bones and muscles strong and flexible. As with any other type of exercise, exercises for low back pain should be done gradually to prevent injury or furthering a current injury. You must condition your back, as any other part of your body, to promote healing, health, and function.

Your doctor or physical therapist can prescribe targeted exercises, and there are physical therapy courses that help to educate you about the importance of using ergonomic tools such as proper desk, computer, and chair height, ergonomic computer keyboards, ergo chairs, etc. All of the ergonomic tools help to reduce all types of muscle strain. The therapist can also teach you the correct ways of sitting, standing (i.e., one leg cocked, which offsets your spine & pelvis), walking, lifting, and repetitive motion, which also causes a lot of injuries. All of these things will help prevent future problems from arising.

You should always stretch prior to doing any exercise or exertive physical activity, particularly if you are not very active, or in the best physical condition.

Lose the Back Pain

Besides lower back pain exercises, physical therapy treatments like massage, heat, ice, electrical stimulation (i.e., ultrasound), and other techniques can be used to help relieve muscle or back pain. Acupuncture, chiropractic care, and natural therapies can also help. There are physical aids available, such as back braces, to help support and strengthen your spine by holding your stomach in, and keeping your spine in the correct position. This also helps reduce back strain.

Body, back, and muscle therapy isvery useful in helping to providing pain relief and body function. Massage is regularly recommended, and used to relieve tension and pain. It helps increase circulation, which brings nutrients and oxygen to the affected muscles, and helps carry the toxins away. There are other body, muscle, and back pain therapies that are effective, such as Reflexology (pressure is applied to reflex points on the hands and feet), Shiatsu (pressure applied to the meridians of the body to improve circulation and ease pain), Rolfing (connective tissue and muscles are manipulated), and the Feldenkrais method (new ways of moving your body to relax tense or cramped muscles). However, these methods must be performed by trained practitioners.

Aromatherapy uses essential oils from herbs and plants for muscle pain relief, and inflammation or muscle spasms associated with it. Some common essential oils for muscle pain include ginger, peppermint, marjoram, and thyme. These oils can be applied with gentle massages or compresses, and some can be added to a warm bath.

If the back pain does not go away in spite of exercise and other non-invasive treatments, surgery may be a necessary option. It is very important that you see a professional back pain doctor (orthopedic surgeon or other spinal/back specialist) to get expert advice and diagnosis of your back pain cause. This can help you understand different treatment options, and the amount of chronic back pain relief they can provide.

Back Pain Relief Products

The main focus of muscular back pain is to bring proper function and conditioning back to your spine, and eliminate worsening or future problems. For most people, back pain can be treated without surgery. Common back pain relief medicine may include over-the-counter (OTC) medicines such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or non-steriod anti-inflammatory durgs (NSAIDs), used for milder pain. Both acetaminophen and NSAIDs relieve pain caused by stiffness and muscle aches, but NSAIDs can also reduce inflammation. There are also topical pain relievers such as sprays, creams, and lotions that you can apply directly to the skin to relieve the pain. If these non-prescription, OTC medicines don t provide relief, treatment may have to include stronger medications like muscle relaxants, prescription NSAIDs, anti-anxiety drugs, or anti-depressants, among others.

There are a wide variety of back pain solutions at your disposal. Using correct posture, turning, lifting, and bending, proper nutrition, footwear, and back strengthening exercises are all things you have control of. Natural back pain remedies like massage, aromatherapy, yoga, and professional therapy will all help you lose the back pain!

*Always consult with your physician regarding lower back muscle pain, as you should with any physical condition.

 

Other articles related to back pain cause:

Are Back Pain Scans Reliable?

Scientific and medical studies… Read more…

Anti-Cholesterol Drug May Ease Back Pain… Read more…

The Information about the Common Causes of Back Pain… Read more…

 Mail this post

Popularity: 20% [?]

Technorati Tags: acute lower back pain, Back Pain Cause, Back Pain Relief Products, back strengthening exercises, lose the back pain, lower back muscle spasms, lower back pain remedy, muscular back pain