Back pain is a common problem for adult men and women. Experts look at the causes and preventive measures.
Back pain is general complaint for adults of 45 years age. It brings a total halt to their activities to and becomes a big obstacle in their career growth. Study shows that it is in fact a challenge to a physician to find out the root cause.
Many individuals face this aliment. It infects two-thirds of the adult population at some stage or other. Back pain with slipped disc is a widespread pain disorder. A herniated, slipped, or prolapsed disc leads to this condition.
Causes
It is not difficult for patients to recollect the incidence of injury to the lower back. The disc herniated for numerous reasons.
- Lifting heavier objects and twisting the body
- Incidences of fall from a height
- Road traffic accidents
- Sedentary life style – weak abdominal and back musculatures
What are common causes of low back pain?
- Lumbar strain (acute, chronic)
- Nerve irritation
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Bony encroachment
Arthritis
- Disc Problems
- Bone and joint conditions
- Congenital bone conditions (existing from birth)
- Degenerative bone and joint
- Injury to the bones and joints
- Over weight
- Kidney problems, pregnancy, ovary problems, Tumors, TB Spine
Self-help treatment
Treatment should be initiated to reduce irritation to the neural structures in spine and thereby alleviate the leg pain. The best way to alleviate leg pain is by lying flat on the stomach (prone lying) for few minutes, until there is no leg pain (see sketch above). Some may feel more comfortable by placing a pillow down the stomach. It may take four to 40 minutes, depending on the severity of the disc impingement on the nerve root in the spine, but the back pain may be persistent. This back pain may resolve faster when you seek a medical professional’s help. Physical therapists trained in spinal manipulation, and spinal joint mobilisation can alleviate the back pain within seven to 12 sessions. It is believed that manipulation may work by moving the disc away from pain sensitive tissue.
No magic
There is no black magic or witchcraft behind this self-help treatment. Surgeons and spine specialists concluded their research that the compression of the disc is greatest when sitting, less when standing and least when lying down. They recommend that patients to avoid sitting as much as possible to decompress the spinal segments or after every 15 minutes of sitting, standing up and arching the back and walking for three minutes which will decompress the spine and reduce the severity of leg pain.
Prevention:
The physical therapist may teach the patient stabilisation to strengthen the muscles of the trunk to help prevent a recurrence of the same injury. These exercises can be performed in various positions such as lying on the back, stomach or even lying on a side. Among these exercises, lifting up the opposite arm and leg in a systematic fashion is important to stretch the back muscles. The analogy here is that the spine is a flag pole and the abdominal and back extensor muscles are the flag masts which support the spine.
The physical therapist is the best person to instruct an individual as to when and how these exercises should be performed. Part of the rehabilitation process includes minimising the sitting posture, as this places great pressure on the low back. The patient should try avoiding the use of a motorcycle, scooter, or moped for a few weeks. Two or three-wheelers do not have good shock absorbers and compression of the spine may occur in few minutes when riding these vehicles to work.
When travelling in a bus or train, feel happy when you do not find a seat. Remember that the spine is compressed when sitting down rather than standing. This way, you reach your work place with no pain in the leg and back and have a pleasant day.
Dos and Don’ts to prevent low back pain
- If you are a computer professional or an office going person, be careful not to sit in a stretch and strain yourself for a long time.
- Reduce the consumption of vata-increasing foods, like pinto beans, beans, and cold salads dry foods etc.
- Undergoing periodical Ayurvedic oil massage or spinal bath.
- Eat warm cooked meals that are a little oil, not dry.
- Minimize sexual activity when you have back pain.
- Avoid exposure to cold weather.
- Swimming is a good exercise.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Avoid high-heeled shoes.
- Avoid a sagging bed.
- Regular mild exercises.
