One of this country’s leading medical problems is back pain. It is cited as one of the five most common injuries occurring in the workplace. Some of these, of course come from accidents. However, many are simply preventable. In fact, the vast majority tend to come from stress and strain on your back. It only takes a second to lift something that pulls a muscle in your back. We take a look at some of the more common causes of low back pain.
The lower back consist of five intervertebral discs. These are often referred to as the lumbar. These discs are stacked on top of each other. They are separated by soft tissue, tendons, ligaments and muscles. The bones provide the structure and rigidity while the soft tissue provides for flexibility.
We are more susceptible to problems in the lower back as we age. This is compounded by the changes in our work habits. Many of our work hours are spent sitting in fixed positions. This is especially true for those who work on computers.
The lower back needs to maintain its flexibility. This is important for our normal mobility. If the back becomes stiff, then it loses its flexibility. This situation can be more susceptible to injury and discomfort.
The more common causes of lower back pain are simply strains or overuse. Small strains or overexertion can sometimes cause an imbalance in the spine. There is a constant tension on the other muscles to absorb the new balance. This can cause fatigue and stiffness and potentially lead to greater injury.
Another impact to the low back is strain and tension to the muscles of the spine. This is often referred to as myofascial pain. This occurs when there is more stress put on this area than usual. This may come from being seated in a certain position or from overexertion and sometimes injury.
Our lower backs are quite an amazing engineering marvel. In this tiny compact structure it must transmit your body weight and act as a shock absorber. We definitely take for granted our mobility. Without our lower backs, we would not be able to stand upright. When we use our backs improperly, it can cause it to be out of balance.
Many people sustain a small injury to their lower back generally; they just hope that it passes. However, many of these situations cause the spine to become out of ballots. The person will actually begin to change their posture and adjust to the effect of the injury. It is important to see these changes occurring and to take proper corrective action before injury occurs.
Doctor’s classify lower back pain into two separate categories. There is acute back pain and chronic back pain. Acute is milder and usually lasts a few days to a few months. Chronic is more severe and can last months to years.
Acute back pain generally comes from damaged muscles, tendons, or ligaments. It generally strikes a person suddenly. This may be the result of lifting too much weight or a sudden movement of the body. These are generally treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, chiropractic manipulation, exercise and massage therapy.
Other conditions which can cause low back pain are a herniated disc. This can happen from sudden strain. Another condition is joint degeneration or osteoarthritis. You should only check with your health professional to find out the cause if you have low back pain. They most likely will direct you to a number of natural treatments such as chiropractic, massage chair therapy, stretching and exercises.
There are many ways to prevent low back pain. Make sure that your sitting in an upright position with your shoulders back area posture is very important. Also make sure that when you lift, you use your legs and not your back. Prevention is always the best medicine. The key to preventing low back pain is to maintain the flexibility of the lower back. Diet exercise stretching and massage help to maintain the vitality of the lumbar region.
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