Back Pain
Back pain is a very common problem that can affect anyone at any time, but it is more common in people who are between 35 and 55 years of age. It is also the largest cause of wok-related absence in the UK. Back pain can be very uncomfortable but is usually not serious.
In most cases, the cause of back pain can be linked to the way that the bones, muscles and ligaments in the back work together.
The structure of the back
The back is a complex structure and is made up of:
- 24 small bones or vertebrae that support the weight of your upper body and form a protective canal for the spinal cord.
- Shock-absorbing discs between the vertebrae that cushion the bones and allow the spine to bend.
- Ligaments that hold the vertebrae and discs together.
- Tendons to connect muscles to vertebrae.
- A spinal cord, which carries nerve signals from the brain to the rest of the body.
- Nerves.
- Muscles.
The lower part of your back is known as the lumbar region, which is made up of five vertebrae, also known as L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5. The lumbar spine supports the entire weight of your upper body (plus any extra weight that you are carrying), and it is under constant pressure, especially when you are bending, twisting and lifting or sitting for long periods of time.
Lower back pain
Lower back pain affects seven out of 10 people at some point in their lives. Lower back pain is a pain or ache on your back, in between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your legs.
Lower back pain can come on suddenly or gradually, and is sometimes the direct result of a fall or injury. The complex structure of your lower back means that even small amounts of damage to any part of the lumbar region can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.
Pain in your lower back is usually a symptom of stress or damage to your ligaments, muscles, tendons or discs. In some cases, if a nerve in your back is pinched or irritated, the pain can spread to your buttocks and down the back of the leg. This is called sciatica.
In the majority of cases of back pain your back will heal itself, and staying active and continuing with your usual activities will normally promote healing. Back pain will usually last from a few days to a few weeks. Pain that lasts longer usually clears up after about six weeks.
However, in severe and persistent cases of back pain, it is important to seek medical advice so that a correct diagnosis can be reached and appropriate treatment given. Treatment for back pain will usually depend on the underlying cause of the condition. For example, pain that is caused by some types of arthritis may be treated using specific medicines.
Treatment
There are several treatments that can help with back pain and these include physiotherapy, chiropractic and acupuncture.
Physiotherapy and Chiropractic treatment can relieve pain and discomfort, increase mobility and provide a route to better health. Pain and stiffness can occur for many reasons, such as poor lifting technique, car or sporting accidents, gardening, childbirth, falls, stress and poor posture. These conditions can all worsen over time if not corrected”. During a course of treatment advice will also be given on exercises to maintain flexibility and movement, prevent stiffness, increase back strength and improve posture to prevent the back pain from recurring.
Acupuncture gives exceptional benefit to people living with back pain by reducing and relieving pain, leading to an improvement in quality of life. Acupuncture triggers the release of your body’s own natural painkillers called Endorphins. Endorphins are opiate-like substances which help to control pain and have been found to be nearly 1000 times stronger than morphine. Cortisol (the body’s own natural anti-inflammatory) is also released during acupuncture treatment thereby controlling pain and reducing inflammation and helping to promote healing. There are very few if any side effects from acupuncture. The majority of patients find the whole treatment pleasant and very relaxing and often fall asleep during it.
