Learn About Back Pain
submitted: 2008-04-10 21:17:55 |
by: BobBeartoes
Total views: 14 |
Word Count: 591 |
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The second most common neurological problem in the United States is back pain. The most common is headache.
Back pain usually last only a few days. It is very common to have muscle pulls or ligament strains in the back after a minor fall or other accident, causing minor pains in the lower or upper back.
The use of anti inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofin can be used along with ice and rest to help ease the pain over the next 5 to 7 days. Back pain is common in middle school and high school teenagers as well as adults. Treatment for pain is usually the same despite the age differences.
Low back pain associated with muscle fatigue can come and go at different times, often without an obvious reason for onset. These occurrences make it hard to get around with our daily activities. Due to the complex anatomical structure or our backs, back pain can be difficult to diagnose. Many muscle tendons, ligaments, bones and neurological components make up the structure of the back.
Back pain is ubiquitous in developed countries. With all the knowledge that we have today, and with all the medical advances, the truth is that we are uncertain as to what causes lower back pain. You have to remember that muscle fatigue and low back pain is not a diagnosis. What you have is a symptom of a serious underlying condition. You can feel pain in the back even when it is from other organs. This is one of the main causes of disability for people under age 45. It is amazing that 80% of all Americans will suffer from back pain at one time or another in their lives.
So as you can see this is very common. What we know is that back pain can be classified into 3 categories that are based on duration of the symptoms:
Acute - Back pain that last for six weeks or less. Subacute - Back pain that will last for six or twelve weeks in duration. Chronic - Back pain that remains for twelve weeks or more.
Some of the common causes are:
Impingement on the nerve commonly called a pinched nerve Herniated discs commonly referred to as a slipped disc or ruptured disc Muscular problems Spinal degeneration The well known sciatic back pain Osteoarthritis
MRI scans are particularly useful to assess certain conditions by providing detail of the disc (such as for degenerative disc disease, isthmic spondylolisthesis) and nerve roots (such as for herniated discs, spinal stenosis). MRI scans are also useful to rule out tumors or spinal infections. MRI scans are painless and don't require needles or dye. The MRI scan has become the most common test to look at the lumbar spine after X-rays have been taken. MRI is the preferred imaging modality in this situation.
When you are having spasms of the back, medication such as muscle relaxants are sometimes prescribed for relief and treatment. This type of medication should not be taken for a long duration and it does have a tendency to cloud the mind. The benefits are controversial and they have some serious side effects, such as sedation and potential dependency on the drug.
Relaxing the muscles in the back is the best treatment for back spasms. Many ways to relax the back muscles are by gentle stretching, massaging the area, using heat and using a tens unit. Back pain can remain as long as there is some type of imbalance with the muscles usually caused by a muscle strain or pull.
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