Lower Back Pain Relief – Cures, Remedies, Treatments

Lower back pain may be set off by mix of overuse and muscle strain, and include injuries to the ligaments, muscles and discs supporting the spine. It is the belief of many experts that muscle strain extended over a long period, may cause complete imbalance in the spine and its structure. This imbalance will lead to constant tension on the ligaments and muscles, as well as the bones and disks, thus making the lower back susceptible to injury and re-injury.

One cause of lower back pain, or pain in the lumbosacral region, tends to add to another. Consider that strained muscles will make you walk or move differently, usually to avoid pain, or even to use the muscles that aren't hurting. This adjustment may actually cause the straining of other muscles unused to this movement.

Injury or overuse of ligaments and muscles, coupled with that of facet and sacroiliac joints and pressure on nerve roots found in the spinal canal are common causes of lower back pain. The compression of nerve roots may have causes that range from a herniated disc to osteoarthritis and spondylolysis, and include narrowing spinal canal. An auto or bicycle accident is an example of a significant force that causes fractures of the vertebrae.  A direct blow is another or the spine may be compressed by a fall on head or the buttocks.

Lower Back Pain - Symptoms and Complications

An underlying injury or other problem can cause lower back pain making it a symptom too. The type and intensity of pain is reliant on the cause of it. Lower back pain can range from mild to severe, and be periodic or even chronic. It can deep or aching, and throbbing or stabbing. An affected nerve can lead to the pain radiating to different parts of the body, down the leg is an example.

Lower back pain, very painful in the morning, but improving after some movement and stretching, is most probably caused by a muscle injury. Lower back pain that is at its worst in the night, and is not reduced or relieved by exercise, may be caused by a problem or pain in some other organ, or be caused by a problem in the bones.

Lower back pain extending down to the legs, either one or both, is an indication of sciatica. Compression of the sciatic nerve, or even other spinal nerves, may cause much pain if you cough, sneeze, or strain. An indicator of nerve compression is difficulty in raising the leg while it is kept straight. A slipped disc is one viable cause of the symptoms explain above.

Prevention and Lower Back Pain Treatments

Lower back pain treatment is dependent on the cause of the pain. Severe lower back pain caused by the muscle and the nerves, indicate use of pain medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), acetaminophen or opioids; NSAIDs are exemplified by ibuprofen and naproxen and Opioids by codeine and oxycodone. Muscle relaxants are also made use of but there is no clear understanding on their effect on lower back pain. The first few days following an injury may include treatment by heat and cold for pain relief and followed up some exercises all under the direction of a health care professional. Lower back pain is also sometimes benefited by physiotherapy and chiropractic adjustments.

Bed rest must be actually avoided as far as possible but if needed must be reduced to only 1 or 2 days. Heavy lifting must be avoided but light activities may be after an injury. Losing weight, improvement in posture, and the lifting of weights intended to strengthen lower back ligaments and muscles are other actions that are advised. Recovery from ligament or muscle injuries usually includes strength training but the start of an exercise program, must be preceded with a discussion with the doctor and training on the proper techniques of the exercises recommended.

Surgery is sometimes required for the decompression of slipped disks and may require the deliberate fusing together of two vertebrae. This surgery normally does not cause noticeable restriction in back movement.

Some lower back pains may be recurring. Even thorough examinations and investigations may not identify any injuries or existing diseases. A conversation with the doctor on exercises, physiotherapy or massage and other therapies including osteopathy, must be held, and chiropractic or manual physiotherapy must also be considered.

Strengthening of the muscles supporting the back will help avoid lower back pain. Maintaining good posture while seated or even standing, will aid lower back pain prevention. A proper lifting technique that always keeps the knees bent, and not twisting the back and using the legs to lift, will help prevent much lower back pain. On top of that there are many Home Remedies for Back Pain that can assist you to speed-up the recovery process.

Surgery - Is it Necessary?

Surgery is not a popular option in the treatment of lower back pain and in most cases, surgery cannot relieve the causes of lower back pain.

Back surgery is usually used in the treatment of herniated disks. Yet for all such surgery is not needed for most people. Surgery for lower back pain related to herniated disks is only indicated when the problem is the cause of severe sciatica that is disabling.  Additional information may be obtained from the Herniated Disc page.