Back pain is a general health and fitness concern. For instance, according to a report by Mayo Clinic 8 out of 10 Americans would probably suffer from back pain at one instance or more in their lifetime. Back pain is also ranked fifth in the list of the leading cause of physicians’ visits in the United States. Back pain is particularly predominant among 35-55 years old adults. Here we will look at the details about this condition and how to prevent it.
Origin or Causes
Pathological, Morphological and Anatomical
Back Pain is attributed to the functioning of the back’s muscles, bones and ligaments. Consequently, back pain can originate from nerves, joints, muscles, bones or spine structures. Back pain may also radiate from internal organs of the body such as the pancreases and gall bladder. The pain may then spread along hands, arms, feet, or legs.
Back pain at the upper back area may be attributed to aorta disorder, chest tumors or spine inflammation. On the other hand, back pain in the lower back region can be associated with the discs sandwiched between the vertebrae, the bony lumbar spine, nerves and spinal cord, ligaments around the discs and spine, pelvic internal organs and abdomen, muscles in the lumbar region or skin around the lower back muscles.
Occupational and Situational Risks
Several occupation and situational risks are linked to back pain. Low back pain is linked to risks such as mentally challenging work, sedentary lifestyle, pregnancy, anxiety, age, depression, overweight or obesity, rigorous physical exercise, smoking or strenuous manual job.
Back pain is also linked to problems in the complex structure of ligaments, discs, muscles, tendons and bones that make the human back. These problems are generally caused by strain, structural or occupation risks. Strain in the back region may be triggered by improper lifting, lifting a very heavy object, awkward and abrupt movement, strained ligaments and muscle or muscle spasm. Structural causes of back pain include bulging or raptured disks, arthritis, osteoporosis, sciatica or abnormal spine curvature. Occupational activities such as awkward bending, pulling, lifting, long bending or standing periods, coughing, muscle tension, stretching, long driving periods, twisting, sneezing or overstretching are also linked to back ache.
Back pain may be sub-acute, acute or chronic in regard to the pain’s duration. The pain triggers a shooting, burning, dull ache or piercing ache sensation in the back that later spreads to other parts of the body. Back pain may also trigger a weakness, tingling or numbness sensation in the arms and legs. However, back pain is normally localized to the lumbar area of the body.
Back pain is clinically diagnosed through a number of symptoms and signs such as abnormal body temperature, chronic back pain, weight loss, back inflammation, pain that radiates to the knees and legs or a recent blow, wound or trauma to the back.
Prevention and Treatment
Back pain is a serious health problem to certain groups of the population including those outside the 20-55 years age bracket, drug addicts, patients suffering from cancer, patients under steroids prescription, patients who have been cured from cancer as well as those with weak immune systems. These groups of the population are advised to seek prompt medical advice in case of back pain experience.
Back pain is managed and treated through a variety of therapeutic approaches including heat therapy, pharmacotherapy or surgery. The choice of a particular back pain treatment or management alternative is determined by the goal of the procedure as well as the severity of the pain. For instance, heat therapy is recommended for back spasms type of back pain. On the other hand muscle relaxant drugs are used for treatment of acute pain, while surgical procedures are exclusively necessary in case of chronic pain.