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LOW BACK PAIN

 

Lower back pain has reached epidemic proportions in the western world and is the most common complaint treated by Osteopaths. Research shows that 60% of the UK's population will suffer from it at some stage during their lives. Back pain responds well to osteopathic treatment - reducing pain and restoring mobility and quality of life.

 

Back pain can be caused by repeated poor posture, stress, overstrain, wear-and-tear, disc injuries as well as various diseases. It can cause pain or other symptoms in other areas which may be triggered by irritation of the spinal nerves.

 

Symptoms

 

Lower back pain and/or buttock or groin pain

 

Symptoms may include any combination of the following:

  • Pain often described as an ache

  • Pain may be felt in the hips, groin, thighs as well as the lower back

  • Back pain worsened by sitting and may feel better when lying down or reclining

  • Changing positions frequently relieves pain

 

 

Frequent cause 

 

Sacroiliac Joint Disease

 

Sacroiliac joint disease or dysfunction can occur if there is too much or too little movement in the sacroiliac joint - the joints that connect the sacrum at the bottom of the spine to the hip on each side.

 

Symptoms 

 

Severe or aching pain in the lower back that starts after activity, sudden movement, or lifting a heavy object.

 

These lower back pain symptoms include any combination of the following:

 

  • Difficulty moving that can be severe enough to prevent walking or standing

  • Pain that also moves around to the groin, buttock or upper thigh, but rarely travels below the knee

  • Pain that tends to be achy and dull

  • Muscle spasms, which can be severe

  • Local soreness upon touch

Possible Causes 

 

Back muscle strain

 

 

A back muscle strain or ligament strain is one of the most common causes of acute lower back pain. Lifting a heavy object, twisting, or a sudden movement can cause muscles or ligaments stretch or develop microscopic tears.

With a lower back strain, the severity of the pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe, disabling pain, depending on the extent of strain and the lower back muscle spasms that result from the injury

Symptoms

 

Chronic lower back pain worsened by certain positions and movements.

Symptoms may include any combination of the following:

  • Low-level of constant lower back pain punctuated by episodes of severe pain/muscle spasms lasting a few days to a few months

  • Chronic pain that can range from nagging to severe back pain worsened by sitting

  • Walking, even running, may feel better than sitting/standing

  • Changing positions frequently relieves pain

Frequent cause

 

Degenerative disc disease

 

Lumbar degenerative disc disease can affect patients as young as 20. When the lumbar discs between the vertebrae begin to break down, the damaged disc can cause both inflammation and slight instability in the lower back, bringing about pain, muscle spasms, and sometimes sciatica

The above are typical causes of lower back pain in younger adults, but not all. Younger adults can also be affected by arthritis and other conditions that are typical causes of back pain in older adults. Symptoms for each type of condition will vary based on a number of factors, such as the severity of the pathology, and the individual's unique anatomy and perception of pain.

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