There are 5 vertebrae in the lower back. These are the 5 lumbar bones. They are cushioned by spinal discs that are covered with cartilage and made of a gel-like substance.
The spinal canal surrounds the spinal cord and the nerves that branch away from it. It runs the length of the spinal column. It is common to experience pain in the lower back because the lower back bears most of the weight of the torso. For this reason the muscles, nerves and spine are under a great deal of stress and subject to pain.
As a matter of fact, the second most common complaint people bring to their doctor is low back pain. Only the flu brings people to the doctor more often. Back pain is caused by a variety of things. There is not even a single answer for an individual; however, trauma and injury often bring on back pain. Here are a few of the most often experienced causes of low back pain:
Strains are caused by muscle injury.
A ligament injury is a sprain.
Sciatica is caused by a pinched nerve.
Sacroiliitis is caused by inflammation of the hip joint.
Arthritis and other bone diseases can cause disc degeneration.
Pressure can cause a herniated disc.
There are a number of reasons why sprains and strains happen. They could be the result of multiple events. For example, improper lifting, obesity, and poor posture each cause cumulative damage to the lower back as well as other body structures.
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There are a number of ways to treat a sprain or strain. They include: hot and/or cold packs, ultrasound, massage therapy, electrical stimulation, traction and reduction in which the bones are maneuvered physically, and/or anesthetic or corticosteroid injections. It is very important to gently resume normal activity after a couple of days rest to avoid stiffness.
One can avoid and treat back pain with strengthening and conditioning of the muscles of the lower back. General aerobic conditioning and specific strengthening exercises will help with this.
Back surgery knows as spinal fusion is a last resort when all non-surgical options have been tried. This surgery works by limiting the movement in the most painful part of the back.
Back surgery is deemed successful if the pain is reduced. However, it may take over a year to find this out, as recovery can be slow. Complete relief of pain is quite unusual. It is important to discuss all of the alternatives for treatment with your doctor. It may be that surgery is not the right choice for you.
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