Low Back Pain Treatment
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or legs. Numbness and Tingling can be caused by sleeping or sitting with poor posture for too long; When discs, bones and other structures pinch nerves the result can be numbness and tingling; injuries to nerves or soft tissue can lead to numbness and tingling; Diabetes; Stroke/Transient ischemic attack (TIA), hypothyroidism, Raynaud’s phenomenon; Multiple sclerosis; Seizures; atherosclerosis, frostbite, vasculitis; vitamin deficiency; certain medications; abuse of alcohol and tobacco; chemotherapy; Radiation therapy; Carpal tunnel syndrome; etc.
The spine has four regions:
7 cervical or neck vertebrae (labeled C1 – C7),
12 thoracic or upper back vertebrae (labeled T1 – T12),
5 lumbar vertebrae (labeled L1 – L5), which we know as the lower back, and
the sacrum, ilium, and coccyx, The lumbar region of the back,
where most back pain is felt, supports the weight of the upper body.
Approximately 70% of our body weight is above L5.
What causes lower back pain?
What causes lower back pain? As people age, bone strength and muscle elasticity and tone tend to decrease. The discs begin to lose fluid and flexibility, which decreases their ability to cushion the vertebrae and joints/vertebrae and discs become misaligned.
Most low back pain follows injury or trauma to the back, but pain may also be caused by degenerative conditions such as arthritis or disc disease, osteoporosis or other bone diseases, irritation to joints and discs, or congenital abnormalities in the spine. Obesity, smoking, weight gain during pregnancy, stress, poor physical condition, improper posture, poor biomechanics, sleeping on an old mattress or sitting in a chair without proper support can all contribute to low back pain. Additionally, scar tissue created when the injured back heals itself does not have the strength or flexibility of normal tissue. Buildup of scar tissue from repeated injuries eventually leads to decreased range of motion and can lead to more serious injury.
Nearly everyone has low back pain at some time in their life. It usually occurs between the ages 30 and 50, due in part to the aging process but also as a result of sedentary life styles with too little or improper exercise. The risk of experiencing low back pain from disc disease or spinal degeneration increases with age.
Bulging disc (also called slipped, protruding, herniated, or ruptured disc). The intervertebral discs are under constant pressure. As discs degenerate and weaken; discs (cartilage) can bulge or be pushed into the space “pinching the nerve” containing the spinal cord or nerve root, causing pain. Most herniated discs occur in the lower lumbar spine at L4-5 or L5-S1. I myself have a 5mm herniation at L4-5 and a 4mm herniation at L5-S1, but fortunately with the right plan I am able to surf, run and play sports with my kids.
Low back pain is diagnosed through a history and physical exam. The patient describes the history of onset, location of the pain, and severity of the pain; duration of symptoms, limitations and previous episodes. Neurologic and Orthopedic tests are performed. X-rays and possibly a MRI may be needed to locate the problem.
Most low back pain can be treated without surgery. Treatment could involve gentle Chiropractic Adjustments, Laser Therapy, Ice, Stretching, Strengthening Exercises, fixing your Biomechanics (the way you sit, sleep, stand, bend), Rest, Back Brace, Posture Shirt (Garment), TENS Unit, or even a referral to another health care specialist (ortho or neuro).
Rehabilitative Exercises
Class IV Laser Therapy
Side Posture 5th Lumbar Adjustment
Can back pain be prevented?
That’s like asking if cavities can be prevented.
Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other nontraumatic causes is often preventable. A combination of exercises for the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly can help prevent injuries.
lifting properly
