Lower back pain is one of the important reasons citizen in the United States visit their doctors. It will inhibit the lives of millions of Americans this year. In fact, an midpoint four out of five adults will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. So the question, "What is causing my lower back pain?" is not uncommon.
Lower back pain can be excruciating. It can be caused by a large range of injuries or conditions, such as:
* lower back muscles may be strained
* discs between the vertebrae may be injured
* large nerve roots extending to arms and legs may be irritated
* smaller nerves that provide the lower back spine may be irritated
* joints, ligaments, or even bones may be injured
When lower back pain occurs with other symptoms such as fever and chills, a serious medical condition may be present. You should see a doctor immediately.
Three categories of lower back pain
Your lower back pain will fall into one of three categories, which your doctor bases on your report of the pain.
1. Axial lower back pain - mechanical or easy back pain
2. Radicular lower back pain - sciatica
3. Lower back pain with referred pain
1. Axial Lower Back Pain
Axial lower back pain is the most base of the three. It is felt only in the lower back area with no pain radiating to other parts of the body. It is sometimes called mechanical back pain or easy back pain.
* Description: Axial lower back pain can vary greatly. It may be sharp or dull, constant or intermittent. On a scale of 1 to 10, you may rate its intensity #1 or a full #10. It may increase with definite performance - when playing tennis, for example. It may worsen in definite positions - such as sitting at a desk. It may or may not be relieved by rest.
* Diagnosis: Axial lower back pain might be diagnosed by you rather than your physician. You know it started when you were helping a friend move a heavy couch. On the other hand, it may be your doctor who determines that you have strained or otherwise damaged back muscles, have a degenerated disc, etc.
* Treatment: The cause of your axial lower back pain does not matter when it comes to treatment. You will want to rest for a day or two. Corollary this by diplomatic back pain exercises and stretching. If you have more pain after exercise, use a heating pad on low or medium setting. Take an appropriate over-the-counter pain medication. Corollary your doctor's advice.
* Prognosis: Symptoms of axial lower back pain disappear with time, and about 90% of patients recover within four to six weeks. If you do not feel good within six to eight weeks, supplementary testing and/or injections may be needed to diagnose and treat the source of the pain.
* Caution: If your pain is chronic, or so severe that it awakens you during the night, see your doctor.
2. Radicular Lower Back Pain
Radicular lower back pain is generally referred to as sciatica. It is felt in the lower back area, thighs, and legs.
* Description: Radicular lower back pain often begins in the lower back, and then follows a specific nerve path into the thighs and legs. Your leg pain may be much worse than your back pain. It is often deep and steady. It may facilely be reproduced with definite activities and positions, such as sitting or walking.
* Diagnosis: Radicular lower back pain is caused by compression of the lower spinal nerve. The most base cause is a herniated disc with compression of the nerve. Other causes might be diabetes or injury to the nerve root. If you had former back surgery, scar tissue may be affecting the nerve root. Elderly adults may have a narrowing of the hole through which the spinal nerve exits.
* Treatment: Conservative medicine is the best place to begin. Rest for a few days in a bed or chair. Corollary this by gradual introduction of diplomatic exercises specifically for back pain relief. Corollary your practice with supplementary rest, applying a heating pad on low to medium setting. Soak daily in Epsom salts baths. Take an appropriate over-the-counter pain medication. Your doctor may want to use selective spinal injections.
* Prognosis: Symptoms of radicular low back pain may decrease with the conservative medicine outlined above. Give your back and legs six to eight weeks to improve. If surgery is needed after that, it typically provides relief of the leg pain for 85% to 90% of patients. The back pain itself is more difficult to relieve.
* Caution: If an Mri or Ct-myelogram does not assuredly confirm nerve compression, back surgery is unlikely to be successful.
3. Lower Back Pain with Referred Pain
Lower back pain with referred pain is not as base as axial or radicular back pain. This pain, which does not radiate down the thighs and legs, may be caused by the same conditions that cause axial lower back pain.
* Description: You will regularly feel referred pain in the low back area, radiating into your groin, buttocks, and upper thigh. The pain may move around, but it will rarely go below your knee. It often is an achy, dull pain. It tends to come and go. Sometimes it is very sharp, but other times it is only a dull sensation. It can be caused by the same injury or problem that causes easy axial back pain. Often, it is no more serious.
* Diagnosis: It is very important to have a doctor settle whether your pain is lower back pain with referred pain or radicular lower back pain, since the medicine varies considerably.
* Treatment: Once you know for sure that yours is lower back pain with referred pain, you can Corollary the medicine for axial lower back pain.
* Prognosis: Symptoms of lower back pain with referred pain disappear with time, regularly within four to six weeks. If you do not feel good within six to eight weeks, ask your doctor if supplementary testing and/or injections are needed.
* Caution: If your lower back pain is chronic, or so severe it awakens you during the night, you should see your doctor.
You will want to visit http://www.backpainreliefblog.com for more detailed facts about lower back pain. Packed with articles about many kinds of back pain, Back Pain Relief Blog offers practical, down-to-earth advice on how to care for your back. Find back pain exercises to avoid back pain and to heal your aching back. Learn what natural remedies are ready for back pain relief.
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