Back Pain Causes
Back pain is one of the most common injuries cited by physical therapy patients. Pain can develop from bad posture, incorrect office stature, improper body mechanics, around-the-house- duties, or even through more serious chronic muscle damage. Even though it is the most commonplace medical issue it is also the most difficult to treat. This makes it not only frustrating for those dealing with back pain, but it also makes a diagnosis elusive and more often that not, a series of trial and error.
Identifying the instigator of back pain is essential to recovery. Once the cause of the pain is correctly identified, then the road to healing can begin to be paved. Without an understanding of what’s wrong, “doing” recovery will not be enough, and can even worsen the condition.
An official diagnosis can only be given by a medical professional, but there are a few common back pain conditions that can be identified by their symptoms. Lumbar muscle strains happen frequently and develop into either acute or chronic pain. Most people, who suffer from back strain can’t pinpoint the reason why they suffer.
Muscle spasms, which are an after effect of an acute muscle strain, can develop into knots within the muscle. These “trigger points” within the strained muscle can be surrounded by excess connective tissue or involve abnormal protein deposits. Most people only go to a physician on the account of a “knot” because they tend to be more painful than muscle spasms. However, spasms in the back shouldn’t be ignored, because they are usually acting as the call center informing the body that something is wrong.
Another potential back-pain culprit is a ruptured disc. How to treat this condition is solely dependent upon the nature of the problem. Herniated discs have different levels of intensity based upon the incurrence of the injury and the longevity of its presence. The spinal discs in the back need to have a safety space, or “cushion” between each spinal vertebrae to protect the health of the spine. When a spinal disc is forced outside of its normal placement, the nerves within the spine can become pinched or impinged causing extreme pain.
Another common cause is discogenic back pain. This happens when damage has happened to the intervertabral disc itself. No disc herniation is involved in discogenic back pain, which sometimes takes the use a discogram for appropriate diagnosis.
Spinal stenosis and lumbar spine arthritis are causes found particularly in the aging population, and are caused by fusing of the joints, or constriction of the spinal column. Spondylolisthesis is a degenerative spine condition, where vertebrae might “slip”. Osteoporosis is a result of compounded vertebrae, making the back very susceptible to pain and fracture.
While the symptom of back pain can be as nominal as a spasm here and there, it can potentially be as debilitating as paralysis if not treated or assuaged. When looking for treatment for back pain, Pilates based rehabilitation may be the perfect supplemental exercise for healing.
Tags: back pain, bad posture, herniated disc, osteoporosis, ruptured disc, spinal disc, spinal stenosis, spine arthritis