What Is Chronic Lower Back Pain

Back Pain Affects Adults Of All Ages And Incomes

In general, the characteristics of adults with back pain and the total adult population are not very different. Some differences between the two populations exist with respect to age and income, however. Some 41 percent of adults with back pain are 18 to 44 years old, compared to 54 percent of all adults. Slightly over one-quarter 26 percent of adults with back pain have an annual income of less than $20,000, compared to one-fifth of all adults.

Investigation Of The Effects Of Stabilization Exercises And Pelvic Floor Muscle Training On Pain And Urinary Parameters In Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain With Urinary Incontinence

How Is Low Back Pain Diagnosed

A complete medical history and physical exam can usually identify any serious conditions that may be causing the pain. Neurologic tests can help determine the cause of pain and appropriate treatment. Imaging tests are not needed in most cases but may be ordered to rule out specific causes of pain, including tumors and spinal stenosis. Occasionally the cause of chronic lower back pain is difficult to determine even after a thorough examination.

Tests include:

Blood tests are not routinely used to diagnose the cause of back pain but might be ordered to look for signs of inflammation, infection, cancer, and/or arthritis.

Bone scans can detect and monitor an infection, fracture, or bone disorder. A small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream and collects in the bones, particularly in areas with some abnormality. Scanner-generated images can identify specific areas of irregular bone metabolism or abnormal blood flow, as well as to measure levels of joint disease.

Discography involves injecting a contrast dye into a spinal disc thought to be causing low back pain. The fluids pressure in the disc will reproduce the persons symptoms if the disc is the cause. The dye helps to show the damaged areas on CT scans taken following the injection.

Electrodiagnostics can identify problems related to the nerves in the back and legs. The procedures include:

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Fall Asleep Faster And Sleep Longer

When you have a restful nights sleep, your back will feel less sore during the day.7 A night of restorative sleep can have healing benefits and make you feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and less stressed.

Watch Video: 11 Unconventional Sleep Tips: How to Get to Sleep and Stay Asleep

Try these natural sleep aids, one at a time, to see which one works best for you:

• Vitamins C and B6. The natural steroids in your body control your metabolism and promote good sleep.8,9 Supplements of vitamins C10 and B611 are known to help the body produce and regulate natural steroid hormones.
• Melatonin. Your natural sleep hormone, melatonin can be taken as a supplement to improve your sleep cycle.
• L-theanine. An amino acid found in tea leaves, L-theanine may help some people feel relaxed and get better sleep.
• Valerian. Supplements made from the root of the valerian plant may help you sleep faster and stay asleep longer.

Another option is cherry juice or cherry extractscherries contain certain enzymes that help promote better sleep.4

See Natural Remedies and Herbal Supplements as Sleep Aids

Managing Chronic Lower Back Pain

As with many conditions, the best treatment is prevention. Lift heavy objects correctly or with the help of a second person. Add more movement to your day by getting up from your desk to move around every 60 to 90 minutes, or adopt a regular exercise routine. Do not go overboard with activity at first take some time to build up strength and flexibility.

For someone dealing with chronic lower back pain, several treatment options are available. The first is short-term management of pain with OTC pain relievers such as acetaminophen , ibuprofen , and naproxen . For chronic back pain, a physician might prescribe medications such as muscle relaxants, opioids or narcotics, and steroid injections to manage pain. Exercise extreme caution with prescription pain relief because of the increased risk of dependency and addiction. If patients experience pain that interferes with daily activities and work, they may be candidates for surgery as a last resort.

Many people have prevented and managed back pain with a combination of physical conditioning and manipulation. Chiropractors and physical therapists can help improve lower back function and reduce pain. Stretching, yoga, and core strengthening exercises can build strength and flexibility in the spine, further improving function and preventing additional damage.

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How Is Chronic Back Pain Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider will ask if you have any medical conditions. He or she may ask if you have a history of back pain and how it started. He or she may watch you stand and walk, and check your range of motion. Show him or her where you feel pain and what makes it better or worse. Describe the pain, how bad it is, and how long it lasts. Tell your provider if your pain worsens at night or when you lie on your back.

Q What Are The Known Chronic Lower Back Pain Symptoms

A. more than 3 months of lower back pain. Or after injuries from sports or some heavy lifting individuals can experience a dull ache to a shooting sensation. In severe cases that need immediate consultation patients could have a lack of feeling in the groin area, leg feebleness, fecal incontinence or bladder control, etc.

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When Is Surgery A Good Idea For Back Pain

These red flags can be indicators for surgery, if theyre found to berelated to your spine condition:

• New or progressing bowel/bladder issues
• Weakness in limbs
• Gait and balance problems
• Evidence of increased reflexes

Surgery can also be an option for chronic back pain if there is a knowncause confirmed by imaging and if other treatments didnt help. Getopinions from at least two surgeons, suggests Nava, as pain can stillcome back after the surgery.

Category : Limited Physiotherapy Knowledge And Awareness

As participants narratives consistently suggested late physiotherapy referral, the researcher explored participants knowledge and awareness of physiotherapy. Most participants had never heard of physiotherapy and never accessed physiotherapy services prior to being referred by doctors.

I didnt know that physio also would have helped. I didnt know what it entails .

Before physiotherapy, those that were aware of physiotherapy thought it was a healthcare profession that entailed massage or performing exercises with the aid of gym equipment or medication, but the mention of a home exercise programme was absent.

I know that with physio, it could be gym, it could be massage. I thought maybe if there is any exercise, we will do it at the physiotherapy department .

Their knowledge and expectations of physiotherapy were further reinforced by their interactions with doctors.

He told me that they would massage me .

All the participants accounts depicted late/non referral to physiotherapy by their doctors. Patients reported varied reasons that prompted physiotherapy referral. Physiotherapy was sometimes suggested by doctors after exhausting all other options/prolonged medication/as an alternative to surgical intervention. Others were sign-posted to physiotherapy by friends.

He said its like I have taken a lot of medications and the medications are too many so lets add the physio and see how it goes .

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The Most Common Causes Of Lower Back Pain Are A Strain Or Sprain

Whether you notice it or not, your lumbar spine gets put to work throughout the entire day.

Amid all of this work and motion, a lower back sprain or strain can result from an acute injury, such as one experienced while falling, lifting something too heavy or playing sports. A sprain or strain can also develop over time due to repetitive movements or poor posture.

“Straining a muscle or spraining a ligament are the most common causes of lower back pain,” says Dr. Palmer. “While they can be serious, these common causes of lower back pain aren’t long-lasting taking anywhere from a few days to heal or, at most, a few months.”

Your doctor can help you determine the particular course of self-care that can help heal your lower back pain.

“The treatment for a pulled back muscle or strained back ligament is fairly simple and can include pain and anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxers, ice to help reduce inflammation, heat to promote healing, and avoiding strenuous activity until the pain recedes,” explains Dr. Palmer. “The best course of care will depend on the severity of your injury as well as your overall core and lower body strength.”

If your lower back pain persists despite treatment, it may be time to consider other causes of lower back pain.

Low Back Pain Diagnosis

Getting diagnosed with a specific cause of low back pain is the first step to getting treatment. If you land in your doctors office hoping for back pain relief, theyll use a variety of diagnostic tools and methods, such as:

• A thorough medical history including any recent injuries, other diagnoses, family history of disease, and your job, activities and other lifestyle considerations

• Physical exams, which may include manipulating the painful area or reflex or other neurological tests

• Electromyography, which measures muscle and nerve function

• ImagingX-rays can show bone spurs and damage to bone, while CT scans and MRIs can depict damage to soft tissue like discs or ligaments

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Read On To Know More About Tips To Deal With Chronic Lower Back Pain At Home

Rest:

Relax but remain mobile. Resting sore muscles will help reduce pain. Resting for a longer time will lead to other problems including stiff joints and muscle weakness, making the pain worse.

Hot and Cold Therapy:

Apply a cold pack to the tender area several times a day for up to 20 minutes. After 2- 3 days of cold treatment, apply a heating pad on the affected sites to resolve lower back injury. The compression could help prevent inflammation and increase blood flow. Taking hot showers early in the morning and before going to bed at night may also help relax muscles.

Medication:

With a right combination of prescribed OTC medications, you will be able to get relief from the condition. Make sure you give your inputs to the doctor about your medical history, allergies before a concrete pain management plan is crafted for you. The specialist will find the right fit of solutions depending on your body type, needs, circumstances, body and preferences.

Exercise:

Exercise is deemed as the most profitable routine to be followed when it comes to lower back pain management. While strengthening your back and abdominal muscles, regular exercise also builds muscle support for the spine, improve posture, maintain balance, and help you with recovery from the pain. Plus, if practiced regularly, it will also decrease the chance of injury in the future.

Massage:

While it is important to know about procedures, understanding strategies to keep your back healthy is also highly recommended.

Can Lower Back Pain Be A Sign Of Something Serious Like Cancer

Lower back pain can be related to cancer. In fact, it is one of the first symptoms of prostate cancer when it metastasizes and creates lesions. Almost any cancer can spread to the back and some, like sarcoma, can originate in the back. Be cautious, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms besides lower back pain. Talk to your doctor if you have additional symptoms or concerns.

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What Research Is Being Done

The mission of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke is to seek fundamental knowledge of the brain and nervous system and to use that knowledge to reduce the burden of neurological disease. NINDS is a component of the National Institutes of Health , the leading supporter of biomedical research in the world.

As a primary supporter of research on pain and pain mechanisms, NINDS is a member of the NIH Pain Consortium, which was established to promote collaboration among the many NIH Institutes and Centers with research programs and activities addressing pain. On an even broader scale, NIH participates in the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee, a federal advisory committee that coordinates research across other U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies as well as the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs.

Lower Back Pain Symptoms Diagnosis And Treatment

The lumbar spine, or low back, is a remarkably well-engineered structure of interconnecting bones, joints, nerves, ligaments, and muscles all working together to provide support, strength, and flexibility. However, this complex structure also leaves the low back susceptible to injury and pain.

Watch:Lumbar Spine Anatomy Video

This article presents a model for understanding symptoms, physical findings, imaging studies, and injection techniques to come to a precise diagnosis.

Once an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the lower back pain is attained, treatment options can be selected based on todays best medical practices.

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Alternative Treatments For Lower Back Pain

Physical therapy or some other activity, like yoga or meditation, can also be good for you.

Here is one of the most effective alternative treatments for lower back pain.

For some people, lower back pain can be debilitating. Research has found that over time, exercise is more helpful than staying in bed or taking medication for relief from this type of discomfort.

One of the most effective exercises to relieve pain and increase flexibility for those with back trouble is swimming.

Swimming is easy on the joints, as it is a weight-bearing exercise that causes less stress than running or jogging.

The water supports your body as you move through it, making swimming easier on the spine and lower body. Swimming actually can help build muscle tone as well as increase endurance.

Yoga, meditation, and other exercises that focus on breathing also are helpful in relieving lower back pain.

Practicing yoga can be very beneficial for your physical well-being. When you feel stress or tension, taking a few minutes to practice deep breathing can help relieve muscle stiffness or discomfort. It may take time to become accustomed to this type of exercise, but it is worth it.

In some cases, physical therapy may be helpful in alleviating the pain associated with lower back problems.

Back In Action: Treatment For Chronic Pain

If youve ever said, Ouch, my back hurts, you are not alone! In fact, low back pain is one of the leading pain problems reported to doctors. What people dont talk about is that sometimes this pain persists longer than we expect. Pain that lasts over time, considered chronic pain, can be life-limiting. And single treatments, such as medications or interventional procedures, may have limited effectiveness.

At Stanford Pain, we have created a multimodal treatment for chronic back pain that helps you take control of your pain and re-engage fully in your life. This program is called Back in ACTion . Lets explore if this program might be a good fit for you or a loved one living with chronic pain.

What is chronic pain?

About one-third of adults in the U.S. seek treatment for back pain at some point during their lifetime. For some, the pain resolves within a few months. This is called acute pain and is typically treated with rest, ice, medications, and surgery. For others, the pain, unfortunately, persists for longer than a few months. Such persistent, chronic pain requires a different treatment plan than acute pain usually a biopsychosocial approach, which focuses on how biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to the overall experience of pain. More on this later.

What contributes to chronic pain?

What is the Back in ACTion program?

I was able to accomplish things I never thought possible.

How do I sign up?

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When To See A Specialist For Lower Back Pain

If you’re experiencing lower back pain that’s not responding to rest and self-care, it’s time to consider seeing a spine specialist.

“A spine specialist will likely perform a physical exam as well as one or more imaging scans to diagnose the root cause of your lower back pain. Depending on your diagnosis, he or she will then design a treatment plan aimed at alleviating your pain and preventing it from disrupting the everyday activities you enjoy,” says Dr. Palmer.

Next Steps: