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Why Am I Having Lower Back Pain

What Structures Make Up The Back

Why Am I Experiencing Back Pain? | TMI Show

The lower backwhere most back pain occursincludes the five vertebrae in the lumbar region, which supports much of the weight of the upper body. The spaces between the vertebrae are maintained by round, rubbery pads called intervertebral discs that act like shock absorbers throughout the spinal column to cushion the bones as the body moves. Bands of tissue known as ligaments hold the vertebrae in place, and tendons attach the muscles to the spinal column. Thirty-one pairs of nerves are rooted to the spinal cord and they control body movements and transmit signals from the body to the brain.

Other regions of vertebrate are cervical , thoracic , and sacral and coccygeal segments.

Symptom: Leg Pain That Occurs Primarily When Walking And Standing Upright

Includes any combination of the following:

  • Unable to walk far without developing leg pain
  • Lower back pain relief is achieved quickly after sitting down
  • Symptoms fluctuate between severe and mild/none
  • Symptoms develop gradually over time
  • Weakness, numbness, and tingling that radiates from the low back into the buttocks and legs

How Can I Tell If My Back Pain Is Serious

You should get medical care right away if:

You are older than 50

  • The pain was caused by an injury such as a fall or car crash

  • You have trouble sleeping because of the pain

  • You lose weight without trying or have a fever, chills, or a history of cancer

  • You have trouble urinating or controlling your bowels

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    When Surgery Is Necessary

    When conservative treatment for low back pain does not provide relief or neurologic symptoms are worsening or severe, surgery may be needed. Candidates for surgery present any of the following:

    • Reasonably good health
    • Back and leg pain limits normal activity or impairs quality of life
    • Progressive neurologic deficits develop, such as leg weakness, numbness or both
    • Loss of normal bowel and bladder functions
    • Difficulty standing or walking
    • Medication and physical therapy are ineffective

    If surgery is recommended, neurosurgeons have a variety of options available to help relieve pressure on the nerve roots. If several nerve roots and discs are causing the pain or if degeneration and instability exist in the spinal column, the neurosurgeon may choose: a minimally invasive approach a more open decompression or fusing the vertebrae together with bone grafts and stabilizing them with instrumentation, including metal plates, screws, rods and cages, depending on the extent of disease. After such surgery, patients may gain restored mobility in the back, including the ability to bend over. In addition, patients may require postoperative physical therapy.

    The benefits of surgery should always be weighed carefully against the risks. Although a large percentage of patients with low back pain report significant pain relief after surgery, it is not guaranteed that surgery will help.

    Who Should I See For Lower Back Pain

    Why Am I Having So Much Pain After My Back Surgery ...

    Your primary care physician knows you best and should be your first contact for lower back pain. If he or she is unable to diagnose or treat the issue, you may get referred to a specialist, such as a rehabilitation physician . These specialists practice a comprehensive approach to lower back pain, and can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that have lower back pain as a symptom.

    Later, you may get referred to a physical therapist, a chiropractor or another practitioner depending on the nature of your back pain. The good news is that surgery is rarely needed for lower back pain. Only about one in ten patients needs lower back surgery, Chhatre says.

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    Change Your Sleeping Position

    Extended bed rest causes muscles to seize up and weaken so it’s best to avoid lying down when you have back pain, and stick to sitting or standing up, instead.

    If you’re suffering back pain at night, place a pillow under your knees to ease the strain on your spine, or between your knees if you’re lying on your side. You could also invest in the best pillow for back pain depending on your sleeping position, and put this to use when pain strikes.

    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.

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    Can I Prevent Back Pain

    You may be able to prevent back pain that happens because of overuse or moving the wrong way. The following tips may help:

    • Get regular exercise that keeps your back muscles strong. Exercises that increase balance and strength can lower your risk of falling and injuring your back or breaking bones. Your doctor may recommend that you try tai chi or yoga.
    • Eat a healthy diet with enough calcium and vitamin D, which help keep your spine strong.
    • Maintain a healthy weight to avoid stress and strain on your back.
    • Sit up straight. Try to support your back when sitting or standing.
    • If you have to lift something heavy, use your leg and stomach muscles, not your back.

    Understanding The Lower Back

    Why does my lower back hurt? | Reasons for lower back pain

    The lower back is also called the lumbosacral area of the back. It is the part of the back between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs.

    Most of the lower back is made up from muscles that attach to, and surround, the spine. The spine is made up of many bones called vertebrae. The vertebrae are roughly circular and between each vertebra is a disc. The discs between the vertebrae are a combination of a strong fibrous outer layer and a softer, gel-like centre. The discs act as shock absorbers and allow the spine to be flexible.

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    When To See A Doctor

    There is not always an obvious cause of lower back pain, and it often gets better on its own. Resting, trying hot or cold therapy, taking OTC pain relievers, and gently stretching may help speed up recovery.

    However, a person should see a doctor for lower back pain that is severe, does not seem to be getting better, or occurs alongside other concerning symptoms, such as tingling or numbness down the legs.

    People with lower back pain should seek immediate medical attention if they also have any of the following symptoms:

    • difficulty walking or moving the legs
    • loss of bowel or bladder function
    • loss of sensation in the legs
    • very severe pain

    A doctor can help a person identify potential causes of lower back pain and recommend appropriate treatment.

    Low Back Pain Fact Sheet

    If you have had lower back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Even school-age children can have back pain.

    Back pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. It can begin suddenly as a result of an accident or by lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age. Getting too little exercise followed by a strenuous workout also can cause back pain.

    There are two types of back pain:

    • Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is acute. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear.
    • Chronic back pain is defined as pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. Even if pain persists, it does not always mean there is a medically serious underlying cause or one that can be easily identified and treated. In some cases, treatment successfully relieves chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain continues despite medical and surgical treatment.

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    Why Is Lower Back Pain Such A Common Problem

    The bottom part of your back typically has just five vertebrae fewer than your neck and mid-back. And these vertebrae do a lot of heavy lifting! Your lower back is where your spine connects to your pelvis, bearing the weight of your upper body. This area experiences a lot of movement and stress, which may lead to wear, tear and injuries.

    Connecting Inflammaging To The Curse Of Morning Back Pain

    Why Am I Having Low Back Pain During Pregnancy?

    This is an interesting topic, but does it have anything to do with morning pain or back pain specifically?

    The morning connection isnt much of a reach: for whatever reason, inflammatory diseases are notoriously morning-o-centric , and so its reasonable to assume that less serious inflammation has a thing for the morning too. We also know only just recently that the body can suppress inflammation at night, pumping out an anti-inflammatory protein on a schedule,11 which probably accounts for some morning pain and stiffness as the suppression wears off. No one knows anything about how to actually control that effect, but at least we know it exists.

    The back connection is trickier. Being overweight is less of a risk factor for back pain than most people think,12 so theres no obvious association with metabolic syndrome. If there is a connection, it might be that the spinal joints are among the first structures to be affected by inflammation and not necessarily because they are more fragile or harder working than, say, knees, but perhaps because the brain is quite over-protective about the back, and more likely to raise the alarm sooner.13 Also, we do know that metabolic syndrome is associated with at least some common pain problems, like neck pain.14

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    You Have Unexplained Weight Loss

    If you experience sudden weight loss that can’t be explained by diet and lifestyle changes, then you should always pay attention to what your body is telling you. This is especially true when the unexplained weight loss is accompanied by back pain. See your doctor to rule out the possibility of a more severe condition, such as an infection or tumor.

    Whenyour Back Pain Could Be A More Serious Medical Problem

    There are a few ways to tellthe difference between spinal stenosis and something more serious:

    • Pain that gets worse when going uphill is more common with peripheral arterial disease, a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels leading to the your limbs.
    • Arterial disease patients dont get relief from the grocery cart position.
    • If your symptoms are worse at night but better with exercise, neuropathy may be to blame.
    • In younger people, morning stiffness that lasts longer than 30 minutes and gets worse with stillness may be a sign of inflammatory arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
    • Other unexplained symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue may be signs of a cancerous growth very rare, but absolutely worth looking into.

    Serious issues such asmalignancies or abdominal aortic aneurysms rarely present with spine symptoms,Dr. Khalaf says, but sometimes they do. Theyre serious enough that rulingthem out is important.

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    What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Low Back Pain

    Anyone can have back pain. Factors that can increase the risk for low back pain include:

    Age: The first attack of low back pain typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50, and back pain becomes more common with advancing age. Loss of bone strength from osteoporosis can lead to fractures, and at the same time, muscle elasticity and tone decrease. The intervertebral discs begin to lose fluid and flexibility with age, which decreases their ability to cushion the vertebrae. The risk of spinal stenosis also increases with age.

    Fitness level: Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit. Weak back and abdominal muscles may not properly support the spine. Weekend warriorspeople who go out and exercise a lot after being inactive all weekare more likely to suffer painful back injuries than people who make moderate physical activity a daily habit. Studies show that low-impact aerobic exercise can help maintain the integrity of intervertebral discs.

    Weight gain: Being overweight, obese, or quickly gaining significant amounts of weight can put stress on the back and lead to low back pain.

    Genetics: Some causes of back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis , have a genetic component.

    Smoking: It can restrict blood flow and oxygen to the discs, causing them to degenerate faster.

    Backpack overload in children: A backpack overloaded with schoolbooks and supplies can strain the back and cause muscle fatigue.

    How Is Low Back Pain Diagnosed

    Why Do I Have Low Back Pain? Basics of Back Pain by Dr. Heath Travis with Travis Chiropractic

    Your doctor will likely begin by requesting a complete medical history and conducting a thorough physical examination to determine where youre feeling the pain. A physical exam can also determine if pain is affecting your range of motion.

    Your doctor may also check your reflexes and your responses to certain sensations. This determines if your low back pain is affecting your nerves.

    Unless you have concerning or debilitating symptoms or neurologic loss, your doctor will probably monitor your condition for a few weeks before sending you for testing. This is because most low back pain resolves using simple self-care treatments.

    Certain symptoms require more testing, including:

    • lack of bowel control
    • fever
    • weight loss

    Likewise, if your low back pain continues after home treatment, your doctor may want to order additional tests.

    Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms in addition to low back pain.

    Imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and MRIs may be necessary so your doctor can check for:

    • bone problems
    • disc problems
    • problems with the ligaments and tendons in your back

    If your doctor suspects a problem with the strength of the bones in your back, they may order a bone scan or bone density test. Electromyography or nerve conduction tests can help identify any problems with your nerves.

    The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you need help finding a doctor.

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    What Are The Symptoms Of Lumbar Strain

    . Each person’s symptoms may be different. Symptoms may include:

    • Sudden lower back pain
    • Spasms in the lower back that result in more severe pain
    • Lower back feels sore to the touch

    Some of these symptoms may be caused by other health problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

    The Universal Guide To Lower Back Pain: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know Straight From The Experts

    In This Article: | | | | | | | | | |

    If youve ever had lower back pain stop you from doing what you want, youre not alone. Lower back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the world. It is a leading reason why people visit a doctor, affecting more than 80% of adults at some point in their lives. According to the Global Burden of Diseasea significant study published in the Lancet medical journallower back pain is also a leading cause of disability.

    While severe lower back pain can cause worry, pain severity is not always an indication something is seriously wrong. Photo Source: Shutterstock.

    You may not be able to prevent lower back pain, especially as you age and your back loses some strength and resilience. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get relief, no matter the cause of your back pain.

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    Can Further Bouts Of Back Pain Be Prevented

    Evidence suggests that the best way to prevent bouts of low back pain is simply to keep active and to exercise regularly. This means general fitness exercise such as walking, running, swimming, etc. There is no firm evidence to say that any particular back strengthening exercises are more useful to prevent back pain than simply keeping fit and active. It is also sensible to be back-aware. For example, do not lift objects when you are in an awkward twisting posture.

    Lower Back Pain After Ovulation: Pregnant Or Not 4 Main Causes

    I am having cramps in my lower abdomen after taking I

    Question: Is lower back pain after ovulation a sign of pregnancy? Is it normal for women to experience back pain while ovulating?

    After ovulation, there are many hormonal changes that will happen to a womans body. Some of these changes can result in abdominal cramps and back pain.

    If you are expecting pregnancy, your back pain after ovulation could be a sign. However, its not abnormal the women will have Upper or lower back pain right after ovulation.

    Most importantly is the timing of your pain, and also, the duration of your back cramps. Pain due to ovulation or pregnancy are not long-lasting So, its essential you inform your doctor if you are experiencing a severe back pain after ovulation that is lasting for days or weeks.

    Heres an email I received from Chloe

    Just like Chloe, if you are expecting and get a lower back pain during or after ovulation, you may feel its due to pregnancy. But, its not entirely true.

    During ovulation, there are changes to your ovaries that may cause some women to experience cramps and lower back pain.

    Having said that, the timing is important, and if you have back pain right after ovulation, its likely still due to ovulation.

    Its important you see your doctor if the duration and severity of your pain seem abnormal. Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, peptic ulcer disease, pelvic inflammatory disease, and uterine fibroid can result in abnormal back pain.

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