Healing The Lower Back Ache That Affects Your Life

Summary:

Over 80% of the American population have experienced the excruciating pain in their lower back at some point in their life. The ache can be chronic or mild and is caused by stress to muscle, joint, ligament or bone. Paradoxically, the severity of the pain is disassociated with the extent of physical damage.

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Over 80% of the American population have experienced the excruciating pain in their lower back at some point in their life. The ache can be chronic or mild and is caused by stress to muscle, joint, ligament or bone. Paradoxically, the severity of the pain is disassociated with the extent of physical damage. Hence, a simple back strain can cause agonizing back ache that makes it difficult to stand or walk. On the contrary, a degenerated disc (herniated disc) can be absolutely painless.
Lower back ache is generally accompanied by sciatica. The sciatic pain attacks the lower back and emerges from the sciatic nerve right to the back of the buttocks and thighs.

Common Causes of Lower Back Ache:

In younger adults the cause of lower back ache can be attributed to sciatica, disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, muscle sprain, poor posture, obesity, pregnancy, spondylitis or psychiatric disturbance. It is interesting to note that pain in the lower back pain could emerge when performing a specific movement like standing, bending or walking. With increasing time, the pain may fluctuate and turn chronic.
In older adults the cause of the pain evolves from osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis), degenerative spondylolisthesis; infection to the spinal cord, or Fibromyalgia.

Symptoms:

Irrespective of your age and root cause of the ailment some of the common symptoms displayed include leg pain with possible numbness, stiffness in muscles and joints, lower back ache that worsens during mornings and evenings.

Possible Treatments:

Cushioning your knees with a pillow while lying down on one side may enhance comfort. Some physicians suggest lying on the back with a pillow under the knees.
Non-prescription drugs like Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin), and topical agents in the form of ointments, gels and sprays can relieve muscle strain for short-term. Some individuals receive immediate relief from using heat or cold compresses on the infected area.
Prolonged bed rest is usually advised for severe trauma to the lower back. However, immediate surgery is suggested if the back ache does not subside within 48 hours and only continues to increase.

Prevention is better than Cure:

The prevention of back ache is rather controversial. Earlier beliefs of rigorous exercise and leading a healthy lifestyle would prevent back pain, may not be true anymore. Studies today indicate that wrong type of exercise would increase the likelihood of agonizing back ache. Nonetheless, low-impact exercises like walking, swimming and bicycling would improve the overall health of an individual without straining the lower back.
When abdominal crunches and pelvic tilt exercises are performed accurately, they strengthen the stomach and pelvis muscles, and significantly reduce the excruciating back ache.
In addition to exercise, using lumbar support belts will reduce the risk of injuring the back muscles.
Proper posture during standing, walking and sleeping should be maintained to prevent straining the back muscles. For instance, while standing tuck in your belly and keep your head and shoulder straight. Use a small stool to rest your feet, and do not wear high heels if you job requires long hours of standing.

2011? Dr. Brendal Norris, Chiropracticbackpainrelief.org, Read other articles
about back pain and back pain relief at http://chiropracticbackpainrelief.org
for more answers to your questions about back pain, its causes, and cures.This article is from http://chiropracticbackpainrelief.org/763