What Is The Best Treatment For Lower Back Muscle Pain

Inflammatory Lower Back Pain

Although comparatively few patients have low back pain due to a systemic inflammatory condition, the problem can be life long and can impair function significantly. The good news is that treatments can help essentially all patients, and can lead to major improvements.

Seronegative are a group of inflammatory diseases that begin at a young age, with gradual onset. Like other inflammatory joint diseases, they are associated with morning stiffness that gets better with exercise. Sometimes fusion of vertebrae in the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine occurs. Drugs called TNF-alpha blocking agents, which are used for rheumatoid arthritis, are also used to treat the stiffness, pain, and swelling of spondyloarthropathy, when the cases are severe and not responsive to traditional medications

People who have spondyloarthropathy have stiffness that is generally worst in the morning, and have decreased motion of the spine. They also can have decreased ability to take a deep breath due to loss of motion of the chest wall. Its important for the physician to look for problems with chest wall expansion in patients with spondyloarthropathy.

syndrome is one of the forms of spondyloarthropathy. It is a form of arthritis that occurs in reaction to an infection somewhere in the body, and it carries its own set of signs and symptoms. The doctor will look for:

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Tip : Get Regular Exercise

One of the most common treatments for back pain is physiotherapy. Physiotherapists are able to:

• assess your back pain and confirm that your pain is not due to anything serious
• assess movement limitations and identify the best way to address these
• identify things that you are doing that may be adding to your pain
• explore ways to modify your work and other daily tasks so that you can continue to do these
• teach you exercises that can help to reduce pain and prevent further episodes
• work with you to develop a plan to get you back doing everything you would like to do.

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Choosing The Correct Stretch But Using Poor Form

A good example of this is stretching the hamstrings by bending forward at the waist instead of the hips. Bending forward at the waist flexes the spine and increases the spinal compression.

In this case, the hamstring stretch may be an appropriate stretch, but when done with poor form, the stretching may make the lower back pain worse by compressing the spine at vulnerable points.

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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When Should I See My Doctor

If you have back pain and have lost feeling or movement in your limbs or are having problems controlling your bowels or bladder, call triple 000 immediately and ask for an ambulance.

You should see your doctor or other health care professional for further advice if:

• your pain bothers you
• your back pain doesnt improve after a few weeks or worsens
• you have symptoms such as weight loss, tingling or numbness in the legs, or problems with bladder and/or bowel control
• you have osteoporosis

You should see your doctor as soon as possible, if you have a history of cancer, are prone to infection, or use intravenous drugs.

For most people, back pain will resolve in a few weeks with appropriate self-care. After 2 months, 9 out of 10 people will recover from back pain.

What Are The Symptoms Of Lower Back Pain

Symptoms of lower back pain can come on suddenly or appear gradually. Sometimes, pain occurs after a specific event, such as bending to pick something up. Other times, you may not know what caused the pain.

Pain may be sharp or dull and achy, and it may radiate to your bottom or down the back of your legs . If you strain your back during an activity, you may hear a pop when it happened. Pain is often worse in certain positions and gets better when you lie down.

Other symptoms of lower back pain include:

• Stiffness: It may be tough to move or straighten your back. Getting up from a seated position may take a while, and you might feel like you need to walk or stretch to loosen up. You may notice decreased range of motion.
• Posture problems: Many people with back pain find it hard to stand up straight. You may stand crooked or bent, with your torso off to the side rather than aligned with your spine. Your lower back may look flat instead of curved.
• Muscle spasms: After a strain, muscles in the lower back can spasm or contract uncontrollably. Muscle spasms can cause extreme pain and make it difficult or impossible to stand, walk or move.

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Ways To Treat Chronic Back Pain Without Surgery

Back pain is considered chronic if it lasts three months or longer. It cancome and go, often bringing temporary relief, followed by frustration.Dealing with chronic back pain can be especially trying if you dont knowthe cause.

Back pain rehabilitationspecialistAndrew Nava, M.D., offers insights into common chronic back pain causes and nonsurgicaltreatment optionsand advises not to give up hope.

Lower Back Pain Both Sides Female

PMS is a common condition among women that causes lower back pain. Lower back pain, on the other hand, could be caused by conditions such as PMDD and dysmenorrhea. As a result, it may be a symptom of a more serious condition known as endometriosis.

There are numerous causes of lower right side pain. Pain is caused by conditions that affect the muscles, bones, nerves, or organs. Most people are aware that there are two major causes of back pain: ovarian tumors and spinal stenosis. Hard minerals can form in the kidneys and cause them to become stones. Kidney stones that pass through the urine without causing any symptoms can pass through the body without causing any harm. Kidney stones can block arteries and cause sharp pain if they are too large. It is an inflammation of the appendix that can result from an infection.

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Best Treatments For Lower Back Pain At Disc

The Desert Institute for Spine Care is a premier provider of orthopedic and spine care. DISC surgeons are highly experienced and capable of diagnosing and treating various spinal conditions. Our goal is to provide customized, compassionate care to each person in a compassionate and understanding environment.

Contact us online to learn more about non-surgical and surgical treatments for back pain.

Physical Therapy For Sciatica

Sciatica pain may make it difficult to be active. But bed rest is not recommended as a mainstay treatment. To manage new sciatica pain, you may find that certain positions and activities are more comfortable than others.

If symptoms are not severe but persist beyond a couple of weeks, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. The proper exercises may actually help reduce sciatic pain. They can also provide conditioning to help prevent the pain from coming back.

The exercises recommended will depend on what’s causing the sciatica. It’s important to work with a specialist who has experience working with people with sciatica. It’s also important to do the exercises exactly as directed.

To get the proper direction, you will most likely work with one of the following specialists:

• Physical therapist
• Physiatrist — a doctor who specializes in physical medicine

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What Is The Prognosis

In general, the clinical course of an episode of acute low back pain seems favourable, and most pain and related disability will resolve within a couple of weeks.6 This is also illustrated by the finding that about 90% of patients with low back pain in primary care will have stopped consulting their doctor within three months.7 Croft suggests that in many patients low back pain symptoms fluctuate over time.w5 Most patients with back pain will have experienced a previous episode, and acute attacks often occur as exacerbations of chronic low back pain. So recurrences are common. Pengel et al estimated the cumulative risk of at least one recurrence within a 12 month period to be 73% .w2 The severity of these recurrences, however, is usually less and does not always lead to a new visit to the general practitioner.8,9 Only a small proportion of people with an acute episode of low back pain develop chronic low back pain and related disability.

Low Back Pain In Athletes

Low back pain is one of the most common types of pain athletes experience. This source of pain can be a huge burden, causing missed playing time and sports-related injuries. Athletes that are often the most affected by low back pain include weightlifters, gymnasts, golfers, rowers, divers and football players. There are several different causes of low back pain that can leave an impact on these athletes.

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When Will My Lower Back Strain Feel Better

Recovery time depends on how serious your low back strain is. Mild cases may resolve in a couple of days. It can take many weeks for more serious strains. Remember that everyone heals at a different rate.

Once the back pain is gone, your doctor will probably want you to start a regular exercise routine. This will get your back muscles stronger and more limber. It will help you recover, and reduce your odds of low back strain in the future. Your doctor will probably want you to take up low impact sports, like swimming or using a stationary bike.

Whatever you do, don’t rush things. Don’t try to return to your previous level of physical activity until:

• You can move as easily — without stiffness — as you did before your injury.
• You feel no pain when you bend, twist, walk, run, and jump.

If you start pushing yourself before your low back strain is healed, you could end up with chronic back pain and permanent injury.

Diagnosis Of Lower Back Pain

Your physiotherapist or GP will usually be able to diagnose lower back pain from your symptoms and by examining you. Theyll want to rule out whether theres any underlying problem that could be causing your pain.

Your physiotherapist or GP will ask you lots of questions about your back pain. These may include when it started, how bad it is and if theres anything that makes it better or worse. They may press against your back to see if theres any tenderness and check for any deformities. They might ask you to move around too, to see if you have problems bending or extending your back.

Usually, further tests wont help. But if your symptoms indicate an underlying problem, your GP may recommend tests including:

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Prevention Of Lower Back Pain

Looking after your back can help to reduce your risk of getting back pain. It can help to do the following.

• Get plenty of exercise. Keeping active with regular exercise can help to prevent back pain coming back, or reduce your risk of getting it in the first place.
• Take care with lifting and carrying heavy items. Dont lift or carry more than you can manage, and make sure youre using the right technique. This means slightly bending your back, knees and hips when lifting, rather than stooping from your back.
• Keep a good posture. If you work at a desk, make sure your chair, desk and computer screen are set up correctly. Your employer should be able to assess your workstation.
• Move regularly dont sit in the same position for long periods of time.

Anatomy Of The Lower Back

The lumbar spine is a complex structure composed of many different bones, intervertebral discs, joints, ligaments, muscles, and nerves that constantly work together to perform various movements smoothly and painlessly. The five vertebrae that make up the lumbar spine are the largest and strongest movable vertebrae.

Your lower back is the area that goes from your lowest rib to the upper part of your buttocks. There, the vertebral column or spine has a normal inward curvature called lordosis. This lordosis plays different roles, including:

• Evenly distributing the weight from your upper body to your lower extremities
• Reducing stress and impact on your spine
• Helping balance the weight of your head on your spine
• Allowing for a more efficient gait thanks to weight distribution

The spinal cord comes to an end between L1 and L2. A smaller bundle of spinal roots and rootlets forms the cauda equina, which continues down to the tailbone. Spinal nerves exit the spine between each lumbar vertebra, and these nerve roots come together to form the sciatic nerve.

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What Can I Do To Prevent Lower Back Pain

Keep a correct posture while you sit or stand.

Bad posture can lead to many aches over the years. Ensure you maintain a good posture whether youre walking, standing, sitting, or even sleeping. If you work at a desk, its also essential to use an adequate desk and chair to ensure an ergonomic and comfortable position.

Use correct technique while lifting objects.

Rather than bending your back to reach for an object, squat and lift from your knees. This simple technique can help prevent many back injuries over the years.

Maintain a healthy weight

Excess weight can put undue stress on all the joints in your body, including those on your lumbar spine. Maintaining a healthy weight, lean muscle mass, and good cardiovascular health can help prevent many injuries down the road.

Dont smoke!

You probably know that smoking is one of the main risk factors for lung conditions and many other types of systemic diseases. But did you know that smoking can also increase your risk of degenerative disc disease? It does, and avoiding tobacco can help you maintain better overall health while also taking care of your lower back.

Causes Of A Slipped Or Herniated Disc

Unfortunately, injuring your spinal discs can be a painful and confusing experience. Your doctor might diagnose your pain as a bulging, herniated, ruptured, or slipped disc. Although they may be called different things, each condition is the same. The spinal discs contain around 80% water at birth. However, as you age, some of this water content will decrease. These discs need to be well hydrated in order for your spine to function correctly. These discs become less flexible when they lose their water content. This can lead to a herniated disk. A herniated disc is when the inner core bursts, pushing through the crack in the outer piece.

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How Do You Prevent Spinal Stenosis From Getting Worse

• Avoid motions and activities that strain the spine.
• Start a low-impact exercise routine to maintain mobility, flexibility, and muscle strength.
• Work on improving your posture, as proper posture alleviates strain on the spinal tissues and structures.
• Quit smoking and using nicotine products, as nicotine reduces blood flow to your spine.
• Maintain a healthy weight, as extra body weight puts extra stress on the spine.
• Practice gentle stretches to prevent muscle tension, which can worsen spinal stenosis pain.

Ways To Relieve Back Pain Naturally

There are a wide variety of natural remedies to soothe your back, which can help reduce the intake of medications or provide an added benefit to your existing medical treatment.

Take a look at these natural pain-relieving strategies and find out what works best for you:

Read on to learn more about effective pain-relieving strategies for chronic back pain from natural methods.

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Back Surgery For Severe Back Pain Relief

Back surgery is typically recommended when other, more conservative treatments arent able to help you feel better. Back surgery can be used to treat herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spine injuries and even severe lower back pain. When its done under the right circumstances and at the right time, back surgery can be an effective long-term solution for chronic back pain.