Lower back pain is a common problem that makes people miss work or seek medical treatment frequently. It is also a leading cause of disability globally. You can take precautions or relieve many back pain episodes. Whether lower back pain is caused by spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, herniated disc, or muscle strain, you deserve to live without any pain. Treating lower back pain in Livingston can help you feel whole again.
Diagnosis
Many people developing low back pain, which comes on acutely, have nonspecific low back pain. When there are no involved symptoms, and the pain is not very bad, people are confident to treat themselves, and some tend to get well quickly.
Your doctor will always want to ask questions about your symptoms and examine you. A physical exam can be conducted to determine if the pain is affecting your movements. The doctor can also check reflexes and responses to some sensations. This helps identify if your low back pain, especially if you are involved in sports, affects the nerves. Understanding common back pain issues in sports can aid in a more comprehensive evaluation and targeted treatment approach.
Unless you have debilitating or concerning symptoms, your doctor can probably monitor your condition for some time before sending you for testing. Some symptoms like weight loss, lack of bowel control, and fever require more testing. If low back pain continues after home treatment, the doctor can order more tests.
Causes of lower back pain
1. Strains and sprains
Strains and sprains are the major causes of lower back pain. A sprain is an injury at the back ligament that helps keep together bones in the spine. A strain is an injury to a tendon or a muscle that connects muscles to the spine. Some symptoms include limited motion, sideways bent-trunk posture, and spasm at the back muscle.
It would be best to stay physically active and maintain everyday activities while avoiding postures and activities that make it worse like twisting and lifting.
2. Disc problems
Bones in the backbone are separated by cushions known as discs. These discs are prone to injury, and the risk increases as you age. The exterior of the disc might tear or herniate. A herniated disc, also known as a ruptured or slipped disc, happens when cartilages surrounding the disc press the nerve roots or spinal cord.
The cushions that separate bones in the spinal vertebrae extend beyond their normal position. This can lead to the nerve root’s compression because it exists from the spine and through the vertebral bones. Disc injury appears after twisting your back or lifting something.
3. Spinal stenosis
Spinal stenosis occurs at the time the spinal column narrows, adding pressure on the spinal nerves and spinal cord. Spinal stenosis is commonly due to degeneration of the discs between the spine. The result is compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots by soft tissues or bony spurs like discs. Pressure added on the nerves causes symptoms like cramping, numbness, and weakness. These symptoms can be felt anywhere in the body.
Low back pain can be stressful and uncomfortable. If symptoms don’t improve with home treatment, you should seek your doctor’s opinion on which treatment to follow. SamWell Institute for Pain Management has well-specialized doctors who help you in managing low back pain. You should not worry yourself so much. Just book an appointment with them today and enjoy the results.
