Flutterings
01-09-2007, 12:02 PM
Lower back pain, also known as lumbago, affects 7 out of 10 people at some time in their lives. Low back pain means a pain or ache anywhere on your back, in between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs.
The pain can come on suddenly, slowly or be the direct result of a fall or injury.
Back pain is common and one of the main reasons for sickness absence in the UK, and although painful, it is normally not serious. In most cases the pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks and usually clears up after about six weeks.
If back pain lasts for less than 3 months it is called acute. If it develops gradually over time, lasts more than 12 weeks and causes long-term problems, it is known as chronic back pain.
Back pain can affect anyone of any age but is more common between the ages of 35 55 years.
In the majority of cases, the cause of pain can be linked to the way the bones, muscles and ligaments in the back, work together.
The back is a complex structure consisting of:
* 24 small bones (vertebrae),
* shock absorbing discs (intervertebral discs) that cushion the bones and allow the spine to bend,
* ligaments to hold vertebrae and discs together,
* tendons to connect muscles to vertebrae,
* spinal cord (carries nerves from the brain to the rest of the body),
* nerves, and
* muscles
The lower part of the back, the lumbar region, is composed of 5 vertebrae known as L1 to L5. This region bears the entire weight of the upper body (plus any extra weight carried) and is also under continual pressure especially when bending, twisting, and lifting.
The complex structure of the lower back means that quite small amounts of damage to any of the structures of the back can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Pain in the lower back is a symptom of stress or damage to the ligaments, muscles, tendons or discs. In some cases the back pain can spread to the buttocks and thighs.
In most cases the back will heal itself and staying active and continuing with your usual activities will normally promote healing. However in severe and persistent cases it is important to seek medical advice so that a correct diagnosis can be reached and appropriate treatment given, as treatment may depend on the underlying cause in some cases. For example, pain caused by some types of arthritis may be treated by specific medicines.
(Thanks to NHS direct (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleID=234))
The pain can come on suddenly, slowly or be the direct result of a fall or injury.
Back pain is common and one of the main reasons for sickness absence in the UK, and although painful, it is normally not serious. In most cases the pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks and usually clears up after about six weeks.
If back pain lasts for less than 3 months it is called acute. If it develops gradually over time, lasts more than 12 weeks and causes long-term problems, it is known as chronic back pain.
Back pain can affect anyone of any age but is more common between the ages of 35 55 years.
In the majority of cases, the cause of pain can be linked to the way the bones, muscles and ligaments in the back, work together.
The back is a complex structure consisting of:
* 24 small bones (vertebrae),
* shock absorbing discs (intervertebral discs) that cushion the bones and allow the spine to bend,
* ligaments to hold vertebrae and discs together,
* tendons to connect muscles to vertebrae,
* spinal cord (carries nerves from the brain to the rest of the body),
* nerves, and
* muscles
The lower part of the back, the lumbar region, is composed of 5 vertebrae known as L1 to L5. This region bears the entire weight of the upper body (plus any extra weight carried) and is also under continual pressure especially when bending, twisting, and lifting.
The complex structure of the lower back means that quite small amounts of damage to any of the structures of the back can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Pain in the lower back is a symptom of stress or damage to the ligaments, muscles, tendons or discs. In some cases the back pain can spread to the buttocks and thighs.
In most cases the back will heal itself and staying active and continuing with your usual activities will normally promote healing. However in severe and persistent cases it is important to seek medical advice so that a correct diagnosis can be reached and appropriate treatment given, as treatment may depend on the underlying cause in some cases. For example, pain caused by some types of arthritis may be treated by specific medicines.
(Thanks to NHS direct (http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleID=234))