Back Pain

Lumbar Tension

Tension in the muscles of the lower and middle back is caused by such factors as poor posture while standing, sitting and walking, and may be exacerbated by weak abdominal muscles and the accumulation of unreleased stress. See you Health Care Professional for a diagnosis and recommended treatment; prompt attention may help prevent pain and discomfort.

Massage and/or chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Yoga and other exercise, sleeping with an orthopedic pillow to help your spine align properly - starting with your neck, as well as using a pillow between your knees, or a spinal relief pillow or a wedge can also be helpful. The appropriate application of heat may help lessen this tension by allowing the muscles to relax and properly support your body. Proper posture may be aided and improvement maintained by the use of a back belt a lumbar support when you sit or drive.

Back Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains differ in that sprains are the stretching or tearing of ligaments - the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect one bone to another. Strains are the stretching or tearing of muscles.

Sprains are commonly caused by a collision, such as commonly occurs in contact sports, or by a sudden change of direction. Parts of the body usually affected by sprains are: ankles, wrists and knees...and, occasionally, the back.

Acute muscle strains - often called pulled muscles - often occur when muscles are stretched unusually far or they suddenly and powerfully contract. Chronic strain can occur with the overuse of certain muscles over time. Muscle strains are often called "pulled" muscles, with back injuries and hamstrings "pulls"among the most common strains. The severity of the injury, both strains and sprains, should be assessed by a Health Care Professional.

Ruptured or Slipped Disk

Ruptured (herniated) or slipped disks are a major source of lower back pain. Though they are sometimes the result of an injury or trauma, ruptured disks are more commonly caused by age-related degeneration of the disks between the vertebrae of the spine. The disks - composed mostly of water - begin to grow thinner and more brittle with age. A disk can actually swell or bulge out without causing pain or losing fluid. However, its tough outer covering becomes vulnerable to tears, and may allow the center of the disk to protrude through one of those tears, resulting in the rupture of the disk. The pressing on the sciatic nerve by a herniated disk in the lower back can cause a sharp, shooting pain down the buttock or back of the leg, defined as sciatica.

Ask anyone who has experienced it and you will learn that a ruptured disk can be very debilitating. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, be sure to seek a careful diagnosis and discuss with your health care professional the wide range of treatment strategies, many non-surgical, available for dealing with this condition.

Avoiding strenuous activity is commonly recommended, as is the safe application of heat, the strategic use of orthopedic pillows, the use of shoulder bags and backpacks that redistribute weight more evenly and offset pressure on the neck and spine, and the use of lumbar supports for more comfortable seating while working or driving.

Arthritis of the Spine

Of the several varieties of arthritis - or inflammation of the joints - osteoarthritis is the most common. It is characterized by the degeneration of the cartilage of the joint - in this case, the vertebrae of the spine - and is often caused by wear and tear over time. There are over 100 different kinds of arthritis, including rheumatoid, psoriatic, and arthritis caused by infection.

When arthritis occurs in the spine, the primary treatment goal is to alleviate pain and to help you remain active. Always consult your Health Care Professional for a proper diagnosis, treatment and pain management recommendations.

Heat is a natural antidote to help ease arthritis pain, relax tense, painful muscles and increase the flow of blood to the area. The application of heat can be especially helpful prior to exercise - which is considered my many to be an important pain management strategy for those with arthritis. As your Health Care Professional will tell you, don't use heat if you have poor circulation or skin sensation

If you occasionally have a flare-up of your arthritis, the application of cold during the first couple of days may help dull the pain, but be careful not to overdo it. If you have poor circulation, decreased skin sensation or numbness, do not apply cold.

Post-operative Back Pain

Back surgery is a serious matter, and the process of healing requires rehabilitation and gradually increasing exercise under the supervision of qualified health professionals. As part of a comprehensive rehabilitation and exercise program, you will probably be learning new habits to support your long term well being: proper posture while sitting and standing, how to lift, bend and do everyday tasks correctly.

You may be advised to use special pillows to help keep you spine correctly aligned, back belts to give your lumbar spine proper support, and lumbar support cushions to use in your car and chairs at home, shoulder bags and backpacks that properly distribute weight, etc. All these "tools" are designed to help you maintain your hard-won progress toward a healthy back.