Ways to Relieve Lower
Back Pain
Contents
The lower back plays an important role in the structural functions of the body. These include movement and structural support. In addition, it is also responsible for the protection of several tissues of the body. However, a problem in the lower back of the body can bring these functions to a grinding halt. It not only renders the body dysfunctional but also causes it to be racked with agonizing pain.
The anatomy of the low back isn’t as simple as it appears on the surface, though. From the formation of ligaments around the discs and the spine to the bony lumbar spine, there can be several causes for excruciating lower back pain.
It is a condition that affects about 50-80% of adults worldwide, and unfortunately, science has no miracle cure to it. A major sector of people suffers from lower back pain when standing from a sitting position. Even as science has failed to discover the cure for it, there are some sure-fire ways to elude it. This post will outline some such ways.
Causes of Low Back Pain
Strains
When you stretch your body beyond its capacity while performing several physical activities, it puts the ligaments and muscles of the body under severe strain. This can lead to stiffness and pain in the lower back. In addition, it can also culminate in muscle spasms.
You can relieve the discomfort caused by intense back pain in the lower back region in the body by taking rest. Additionally, you can also undergo certain physical therapy. Make sure you do it or under the supervision of a professional to follow the right procedure to relieve the symptoms of back pain in the body.
Disc Injury
Aging puts you at an increased risk of developing a disc injury. Due to the action of cartilage against the nerve roots, discs in the back become vulnerable to undergo wear and tear. This happens as the protective area surrounding the spinal vertebrae moves out of its actual position. If overlooked, it can even result in the herniation of discs.
One can suffer a disc injury at any point in time. It generally surfaces when one twists one’s back. Unlike the other forms of a back injury, an injury on the lower back region can last for as many as 72 hours.
Sciatica
Sometimes a herniated disc accidentally presses on the sciatic nerve. This increases the possibility of developing sciatica. Due to the link of the sciatic nerve to the legs, pain in the former also causes a resulting pain in the latter. There are chances that the pain can also move to the feet and gives the feeling of a burning sensation to whoever undergoes the pain.
Spinal Stenosis
The narrowing of the spinal column exposes the spinal nerves and the spinal cord to external pressure. Besides, the degeneration of the vertebral discs also plays a part in the development of spinal stenosis in the body.
The resulting condition of the spinal stenosis can increase the chances of weakness in cramping and numbness. These symptoms can surface in any part of the body. Unfortunately, these symptoms, right from the time of appearance, show no signs of abating. In fact, these symptoms get worse and if not treated in a timely manner can even go on to aggravate the matters.
Abnormal Spine Curvatures
Lordosis, kyphosis, and scoliosis are the three conditions that can lead to the development of abnormal curvatures. Because these are congenital conditions, individuals are diagnosed with these conditions in childhood.
Unfortunately, it puts pressure on various parts of the body such as vertebrae, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Additional Conditions
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are a host of other conditions that are responsible for causing lower back pain. These include arthritis, fibromyalgia, spondylitis, spondylosis, kidney and bladder problems.
Additionally, there can be a number of other conditions that can result in lower back pain in women. These include cancer, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and pregnancy.
Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain
Home Care
Home care is the first thing you should consider when you suffer lower back pain. In most cases, taking rest for 72 hours helps improve it. But if there is no improvement, then you can think about seeing a doctor.
The next thing you need to do is to make sure you stop all physical activities for at least 72 hours. During this period, a doctor would recommend you apply ice to the part of the body wherein you experience lower back pain. After the period of 72 hours, doctors generally recommend patients to switch over to a heat treatment.
Alternating between ice and heat is a good way to relax the muscles of the body. In the first 48 hours, doctors recommend elevation, compression, ice, and rest. To relieve pain, you can take an over-the-counter medication.
Lying on your back can sometimes cause discomfort. If you come across this kind of situation while dealing with your lower back pain, try lying down in alternative positions. For a change, you can consider lying on your sides. For maximum comfort, consider placing a pillow between your legs.
Alternatively, you can also consider using a towel. When using a towel, make sure you roll it up beneath your thighs. This proves helpful in lowering the pressure on the lower back.
You can also: Buy Best massage Chairs for Back Pain
Medical Treatment
According to medical science, lower back pain can be the result of a number of conditions. These include the misalignment of the spinal cord, pinched nerves, and weakness of the muscle or muscle strain.
Medical treatment depends on the condition of an individual. Depending on the medical condition of an individual, doctors may recommend them any one of the standard medical treatment options such as physical therapy, medical appliances, and medications.
Whenever an individual affected by lower back pain visits a doctor, the latter prioritizes in identifying the symptoms. Once they are able to do it, they use medications to relieve the excruciating pain. They generally use one of the following medications for this purpose:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Steroids
- Codeine or other narcotic drugs for offering relief from pain
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Muscle relaxants
Additionally, many health care professionals also recommend different kinds of physical therapies to improve the condition of a patient. These include the following:
- Back and spinal manipulation
- Strengthening exercises
- Stretching
- Massage
While you may be familiar with a majority of the aforementioned physical therapies, it is important to do it as per the prescription of a health care professional. This is the best way for you to reap the maximum benefits of these massage techniques.
Surgery
When home remedies and medications do not produce desired results in offering relief from the lower back pain, it becomes essential to look for surgical options. Again, it depends on the type of lower back pain in an individual.
Depending on the type of lower back pain in an individual, the physician may recommend one of the following surgical options:
- Discectomy – when a bulging disc presses a nerve root
- Foraminotomy – surgeons sue this surgical method for opening up the foramen when the nerve root exits the spinal canal
- Intradiscal Electrothermal Therapy – to prevent the irritation of the nerve and the inner bulging of the discs due to the thinning of the disc wall
- Nucleoplasty – for the removal of the inner disc material using radio waves
- Radiofrequency Lesioning or Ablation – to prevent the nerve from communicating with one another when an individual suffers from a lower back pain
- Spinal Fusion – to strengthen the spine and cut down its painful motion to offer relief from pain.
- Spinal Laminectomy – it helps increase the size of the spinal canal
Final Thoughts
Unlike normal back pain, lower back pain can linger for a longer time. According to experts, it lasts for a minimum of 72 hours even as symptoms improve. In most cases, lower back pain becomes noticeable when a person tries to stand up after being seated for a long duration of time. If you happen to be one among them, try out one of the aforementioned techniques to get relief from the symptoms of lower back pain.