Types Of Low Back Pain
If your back pain is short-term — meaning it lasts a few days or a few weeks — doctors call it âacute.â If it has gone on for 3 months or more, itâs considered chronic.
You may hear the term âmechanicalâ low back pain. That means the problem involves the moving parts of your back — disks, vertebrae, ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
Other names for low back pain include lumbar syndrome and lumbago.
How your back pain feels can vary. You might describe yours as:
- Aching
It may also radiate down into your butt, hips, or thighs.
Perhaps The Problem Actually Does Not Lie Within Your Low Back But In Your Hips
The human body is like an amazingly intricate machine and is constantly performing tasks subconsciously and consciously – no matter what the cost. If one area is not capable of performing the demands required of it, the body will compensate and move the load somewhere else. For many people, the hips are both tight and weak and because of this the body compensates hundreds or even thousands times a day by having the low back do the extra work. Even if you are one of the lucky ones who have avoided low back pain to this point, chances are there is still some amount of dysfunction that can be addressed in your hips to help keep you injury free.
To help your low back we must first work on the mobility of your hips, followed by the stability and proper function of them. A hip is made up of a ball and socket joint. This type of joint requires muscles on all sides of it to hold it in place, which opens up the possibility for a lot of tightness and dysfunction. While there are many options to choose from to address this, I am going to highlight a few stretches and exercises, most of which require only body weight, that I have seen make the biggest difference for my clients.
Hip Flexor Stretch The Kneeling Lunge
Piriformis Stretch Pigeon Pose
Why Does My Lower Back Hurt When I Stand Too Long
While there are many underlying reasons for back pain during prolonged standing, the precipitating cause is usually postural. When you stand for a length of time, your pelvis is often pushed backward, increasing the curve of your lower back . This puts increased pressure on the soft tissues surrounding the spine, causing your lower back muscles to tighten or even spasm, resulting in pain in the joints and nerves of your spine.
At Long Island Spine Rehabilitation Medicine, we have a strong track record of diagnosing the causes of back pain accurately and treating them successfully without surgery. Our pain management doctors help patients feel more comfortable and move more easily whether their back pain is due to injury, aging, congenital malformations, or a disease condition. If you experience pain when standing or walking, we can evaluate your problem and offer you a variety of treatment options.
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Find Back And Hip Pain Relief At Spine Institute Of North America
Back and hip pain should not inhibit your day to day life. If you feel discouraged because of your chronic symptoms, its time to schedule your appointment at Spine Institute of North America. Our experienced team will diagnose your back and hip pain and work with you to develop an individual treatment approach so that you can get back to enjoying your life. Contact us today to learn more.
Is It Back Pain Or Hip Pain Getting To The Root Of The Problem
If you have pain in your low back, hips, and other areas in your lower body, the source isnt always easy to pinpoint. Your pain may originate in your lumbar spine or your hipor bothand its important that your doctor identifies the source of the problem, so you receive the right treatment.
Because the hips and lower spine are located so closely together, its easy to mistake back pain for hip pain . Regardless of the origin, most low back pain and hip pain share a common cause: normal wear and tear on the body due to aging or triggered by overuse injuries . Lumbar sprains and strains, osteoarthritis, and herniated discs are common degenerative culprits behind low back and hip pain.Determining if pain is back or hip related can be difficult to distinguish because the lower back and hips are close to each other. Photo Source: 123RF.com.
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Leg Pain After Lower Body Surgery
Just as with the lower back and hip pain connection, pain from hip to knee is a common issue. An unhealthy iliopsoas, and more specifically an unhealthy iliacus, has a profound effect on pain from hip to knee as well as the rest of the body overall.
Because a tight iliacus muscle twists the hip and thigh bone, it anatomically changes how your leg connects to your upper body. When the tension in your iliacus muscle is released, your leg and hip alignment will work as designed, but you are far more susceptible to pain when it is tight.
Although the direct connection between pain from hip to knee appears to be with a tight iliacus, that doesnt mean that the psoas muscle should be ignored completely. After all, together, they form the iliopsoas, so if one is tight, the other is directly affected.
When strain is put on your iliopsoas, it can create a pelvic rotation as the muscle pulls and tightens. This can be either an anterior or internal rotation. Your pelviss internal rotation is what could potentially connect hip to knee pain and knee to foot pain.
You can also experience an internal rotation that puts a strain on your knee. An internal rotation of your pelvis affects the way your leg works from the hip down and doesnt allow the kneecap to track correctly. This internal rotation can also cause the foot to flatten , which changes how your foot and toes are aligned.
What Is Sacroiliac Joint Pain
The SI joints are located between the iliac bones and the sacrum, connecting the spine to the hips. The two joints provide support and stability, and play a major role in absorbing impact when walking and lifting. From the back, the SI joints are located below the waist where two dimples are visible.
Strong ligaments and muscles support the SI joints. There is a very small amount of motion in the joint for normal body flexibility. As we age our bones become arthritic and ligaments stiffen. When the cartilage wears down, the bones may rub together causing pain . The SI joint is a synovial joint filled with fluid. This type of joint has free nerve endings that can cause chronic pain if the joint degenerates or does not move properly.
Sacroiliac joint pain ranges from mild to severe depending on the extent and cause of injury. Acute SI joint pain occurs suddenly and usually heals within several days to weeks. Chronic SI joint pain persists for more than three months it may be felt all the time or worsen with certain activities.
Other terms for SI joint pain include: SI joint dysfunction, SI joint syndrome, SI joint strain and SI joint inflammation.
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Osteoarthritis Of The Hip
Age-related degeneration of the hip joint can cause pain in the lower back and stiffness in the hip.
Hip osteoarthritis causes stiffness and a significant decrease in the hips range of motion. This change can cause the hip to incline forward, disrupting the curvature of the lower spine. The inward curvature of the lower spine may become more pronounced, sometimes causing the lower spinal discs to bulge or herniate.12,13
This condition may over time cause degeneration of the spinal joints too, resulting in a more advanced problem called hip-spine syndrome.
Learn more about Hip Osteoarthritis on Arthritis-health.com
This list is not exhaustive of all possible causes of lower back and hip pain. If you experience pain and/or stiffness in your lower back and hip that does not resolve with self-care and affects your daily activities, talk to your doctor. A doctor can accurately diagnose the cause of your lower back problem and formulate a treatment plan for the underlying condition.
Bad Habits Contribute To Back Pain When Standing Lifestyle Changes Can Help
Parts of your everyday routine may be contributing to the low back pain you experience when standing. These include:
- Not exercising regularly or doing the wrong exercises
- Having poor posture which interferes with proper weight distribution
- Not wearing supportive shoes or, if necessary, orthotics
- Sleeping on an old or unsupportive mattress
- Lifting heavy objects or weight-lifting as a form of exercise
- Being overweight or obese
Some changes are easier to make than others and some require professional assistance. For example, while it may be easy enough to purchase a new mattress, you are probably better off consulting a doctor who understands which type of mattress is best in your particular case. Similarly, purchasing over-the-counter orthotics is rarely wise. Such products should be customized to serve your unique needs.
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Treatment For Back Or Hip Pain
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment options can include:
- Activity modification
- Physical therapy
- Referral to a specialist
For most patients, surgery is the last option, since medication and physical therapy typically have a high success rate. However, if you are experiencing pain that lasts longer than four to six weeks, you should consult your doctor.
To make an appointment with UPMC Orthopaedic Care, call 412-687-3900.
Lower Back Pain On Right Side Above Hip Causes
In this article, we are to discuss the origins of pains above the hip region any problem that occurs in the reproductive system or gastrointestinal tracts can cause various kinds of illnesses in the hip area, the intensity of the pain may vary this depends on the underlying issues or problem.
In this article, we will discuss the common causes of pain. It is wise to pursue professional help if the pain occurs more three days.
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Did You Know That Lower Back Pain Can Be Caused By Hip Joint Osteoarthritis
Hip joint osteoarthritis is among the most common joint disorders with 87,733 hip replacements recorded by the national joint registry in 2016. Research studies suggest that the incidence of lower back pain accompanying hip arthritis is in the range of 20-40% of cases.
Arthritic changes to the cartilage surface lining the head of the femur and the acetabulum cause gradual thickening and shortening of the hip joint capsule . The resulting reduction in flexibility at the hip joint impacts upon surrounding muscle tissue often causing shortening and decline in strength and control, thus accelerating the rate of damage to the cartilage surfaces.
The long term effect of reduced mobility at the hip joint is often over use of neighbouring joints, namely the knees and lower back. Hip rotation is often most affected by the hip joint soft tissue changes, and the movement that appears most limited when we assess hip arthritis. The consequence of this when turning ones body is that the ball and socket joint of the hip will contribute only little towards the turn. Often unknown to the individual, the lumbar spine and knees will over contribute and experience additional torsion.
Chronic Low Back Pain Of No Specific Origin
Low back pain is defined as pain, tightness, and stiffness between the lower end of the rib cage and the buttocks. “Chronic” means the pain has lasted for twelve weeks or longer, and “no specific origin” means the pain cannot be traced to any specific cause, incident, or injury.
Most susceptible are individuals who perform heavy physical work, especially when there is ongoing anxiety, depression, and emotional stress at the same time. The longer the stress and back pain continue, the more difficult it is to ease the symptoms and return the patient to normal functioning.
Treatment involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sometimes opioid medications for pain, though both have risks when used long term. Antidepressants may also be tried, along with psychological counseling.
Corticosteroid injections for the back are effective for some patients, and fusion surgery is sometimes attempted. Lifestyle changes in the form of improved diet, exercise, and stress management are very helpful in most cases.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: lower back pain, unintentional weight loss, back pain that shoots to the butt, fever, involuntary defecation
Symptoms that always occur with chronic low back pain of no specific origin: lower back pain
Symptoms that never occur with chronic low back pain of no specific origin: thigh numbness, buttocks numbness, lower back pain from an injury
Urgency: Primary care doctor
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Treatment Options For Hip Pain
Treatment for hip pain depends on the diagnosis, but pain that’s caused by overuse or sports injuries is often treated with heat, rest, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. To prevent injuries, it is important to stretch before exercising and wear appropriate clothing, especially good shoes when running, Dr. Philippon says.
If certain activities or overuse are causing hip pain, stop those that aggravate the discomfort and talk to your doctor. Excess weight can put pressure on the hip joint, so losing the pounds can provide relief and help you avoid further problems. Some causes of hip pain, such as fractures or hernias, may need surgical repairs. If your hip pain persists, talk to your doctor about the possible causes and treatments.
Possible Causes Of Pain When Standing
In some cases, your pain may be caused by a strain, a sprain, or simple muscle fatigue. If the pain has appeared after overexertion, an accident, or a sports injury, you may have stretched or twisted a tendon or ligament . Other causes of pain while standing include:
- Spinal stenosis a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on spinal nerves
- Hyperlordosis curvature of the lower spine
- Herniated disc when part of a disc that acts as a cushion between two vertebrae, slips out of place, possibly compressing a nerve
- Spondylolisthesis when a lumbar vertebra slips forward onto the bone beneath it
- Neuropathy damage to peripheral nerves that may cause weakness, numbness, tingling, or pain in the hands and feet
- Osteoarthritis damage to joints of the spine, known as facet joints, usually as a result of aging
- Pinched nerves resulting from pressure from bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons
- Sciatica pressure on the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the hips, buttocks, and legs
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Muscle Release For Lower Back And Hip Pain
Releasing muscle tension can help you resolve your lower back and hip pain, and if you are aware of it before you go into surgery, you could even prevent it altogether.
If you visit a physical therapist, they will likely be aware of the complications associated with a tight iliopsoas muscle. A physical therapist can release some muscle tension during physical therapy appointments by putting pressure on specific muscle connection areas with their hands.
However, that is only helpful if you can attend appointments on a regular basis.
Because I dont want you to have to wait for a physical therapist to help you every single time, I invented theHip Hook andHip Flexor Release Ball. These tools allow you to release the iliacus and psoas muscle tension youre experiencing any time you need from the comfort of home.
The Hip Hooks unique design gives you the ability to apply precise and angular pressure on the hard-to-reach iliacus muscle. The Hip Flexor Release Ball is the perfect size and density to target and help release the psoas muscle.
You can even learn more about realigning your body and treating unresolved pain in my book,Tight Hip Twisted Core.
As you expand your knowledge of how interconnected your joints and muscles truly are, you can easily prevent and treat lower back and hip pain as well as unresolved pain throughout your body.
Causes Of Hip Pain At Night And Ways To Find Relief
Sometimes getting a good nights sleep when you have hip pain can feel next to impossible. Whether it is the position you sleep in or an underlining health issue, there may be a way to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. To find out how you can find relief for that hip pain that keeps you up all night, continue reading below!
OverviewNighttime hip pain can wake you up during the night or make it nearly impossible to fall asleep in the first place. The pain can come from the position you sleep in, or it could be caused by something else. For example, you dont move much during sleep, so your joints swell, which can lead to stiffness and pain. Read on to learn more about what may be causing your hip pain at night, as well as how you can manage this symptom and sleep better.
Common causes of hip pain at nightHip pain at night can be caused by several conditions. The most common ones are:
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Sciatic-piriformis syndrome
It can also be caused by your sleeping position, your mattress or pillows, or pregnancy. Its also possible to have another problem, such as lower back pain, that causes your hip to hurt. Thats called referred pain.
BursitisAround your hip bone and other joints are small sacs filled with fluid that cushion the joint when it moves. These sacs are called bursae. Bursitis occurs when these sacs become inflamed.
Symptoms may include:
People with bursitis dont have pain while standing.
- Rheumatoid arthritis
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