It might start out as a dull, vague discomfort in your lower back, but then suddenly become a stinging ache that stops you right in your tracks. Low back pain, while not usually considered a major health concern, can still be crippling nonetheless. And it’s pretty common too, estimated to affect four out of every five adults at some point in their lives. Read on to find out how exactly low back pain affects your body and what you can do about it.
Anatomy of the Lower Back
Lower back pain typically affects the lumbar section of the spine. The lumbar region, comprised of five vertebrae or backbones, is tasked with bearing the weight of the upper body. Between each pair of neighboring vertebrae is a circular pad comprised of a blend of cartilage and fibrous tissue known as intervertebral discs—these help in absorbing the shock and stresses induced by movement.
Intervertebral discs are found on the anterior (body-facing) side of the spinal column. Meanwhile, a couple of facet joints connect adjacent vertebrae on the posterior side. Tendons are yet another constituent of the spine; these attach muscles to vertebrae along the column.
The whole structure is held in place by strong bands of connective tissue known as ligaments. These work hand-in-hand with intervertebral discs to allow for safe flex and twist along the spine. They also limit movement within a safe range to protect the network of nerves running through the spinal cord.
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Over ninety percent of low back pain complaints are mechanical in nature. That’s to say; the pain is caused by structural anomalies that develop along the spinal column, consequently interfering in the way its constituents fit together and move.
These anomalies can stem from quite a number of factors:
– Degeneration: Intervertebral discs get worn down over time, losing their shock-absorbing capacity in the process. This inevitably leads to discomfort, which can be made worse by age-related wear and tear on other components.
– Injury: Beyond the immediate discomfort, injuries sustained within the spine’s proximity can cause damage to ligaments/tendons. Discs can also shift out of position (herniate) or even rupture with extreme impact.
– Congenital disorders: People who have spinal abnormalities right from birth are bound to experience lower back pain. Congenital disorders range from spina bifida (incomplete development of spinal cord) to malformations like kyphosis and lordosis; both are characterized by abnormal arching of the spine.
– Other issues: Generally, any condition that interferes with the spine’s structural makeup will cause pain in the lumbar region. Not all back pain stems from spinal issues, though — it’s often one of the discomforts women experience during pregnancy. It can also result from abnormal tissue growth that presses against the spinal cord.
Does Low Back Pain Have Any Risk Factors?
Yes, there are quite a few. Although back pain can affect just about anyone, the following factors are associated with higher incidence:
– Weight: Obese individuals are pretty much guaranteed to suffer back pain of some sort due to the excessive stress exerted on the spinal column. Gaining lots of weight over a short period can also put you at risk.
– Poor fitness: Lack of exercise leaves your spinal column weak and prone to suffer injury. As does a poor fitness strategy, performing intense workouts following periods of inactivity raises your likelihood of sustaining injuries that will eventually lead to low back pain.
– Occupation: A job that has you sitting for long periods without enough back support makes you more vulnerable day by day. You’re also bound to suffer an injury (and consequent back pain) if your role involves lots of pushing, pulling, or heavy lifting.
– Genetics: People whose genes predispose them to spinal disorders are more likely to experience low back pain as a result of the said ailments.
– Age: As we’ve just seen, low back pain is often the result of the normal wear and tear that occurs as one grows older.
– Smoking: Smoking accelerates wear and tear by inhibiting circulation along the spinal column.
How Long Does Low Back Pain Last?
The three categories of low back pain are defined by the extent of duration — acute, subacute, and chronic. Acute low back pain typically lasts between several days and four weeks. On the other side of the spectrum are chronic cases that continue for 12 weeks and beyond. Subacute cases fall between these two extremes, with an episode duration of 4-12 weeks. Experts estimate that a fifth of all acute cases eventually become chronic.
Treatments for Lower Back Pain
There’re several routes through which you can seek relief for your discomfort:
– Platelet-rich plasma: Platelets are tiny cell fragments that form part of blood and whose job is to facilitate clotting. With PRP therapy, a doctor cultivates a concentrate of platelets using a sample of your own blood. This can then be injected into ligaments, discs, and tendons to repair the damage. Although PRP has a long way to go before it’s considered an effective cure, a few sources claim that it can be a useful treatment for back pain.
– Stem cells: Very similar to PRP, with the only exception being that it uses stem cells extracted from the hip. Once again, it’s going to take a bit of research before stem cell therapy sees the light of day as far as treating lower back pain goes.
– Acupuncture: Acupuncture provides relief from pain through the careful insertion of fine needles into certain parts of your body. For more details about acupuncture, the National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health provides a comprehensive health information about acupuncture on their website.
– Chiropractic: Now, here’s a treatment approach that won’t subject you to injections/needles. Instead, a chiropractor will adjust your spine using special techniques to correct misalignments that are causing excessive strain. Check this guide on how to look for the right chiropractor in your city.
Preventing Low Back Pain: Is it Possible?
While your pain could very well be the result of factors that are outside your control, like genetics, it’s not to say that you’re completely helpless. Here’s what you can do to keep low back pain at bay — or at least reduce its intensity:
– Lose weight: Or rather, make an effort towards keeping your body weight within a healthy range.
– Adopt an ergonomic workplace setup: Get a chair that offers sufficient support for your lower back. If your job involves quite a bit of heavy lifting, try to keep the load close to your chest while you lift, and your back as straight as an arrow. In the long run, though, you’ll be better off implementing measures to save you from having to do the lifting yourself.
– Quit smoking
– Stay active: By far, the most important thing you need to do is exercise regularly. A chiropractor can recommend suitable low-impact routines that will strengthen key areas without putting you at risk of injury.
Your chiropractor will further advise you on what foods you should eat to keep your bones healthy and strong. They can address any postural imbalances that might be worsening your pain. Be sure to reach out to your local chiropractor and make an appointment soon.