Low Back Pain

Brief anatomy of the lower back:
The lower back, or lumbar spine, functions in structural support, movement, and protection of body tissues. It is a complex structure of vertebrae, disks, spinal cord, and nerves, and includes:

• five bones, called lumbar vertebrae, stacked one upon the other that connect the upper spine to the pelvis

• six shock absorbers, called disks, which act both as cushions and stabilizers to protect the lumbar vertebrae

• spinal cord and nerves, which act as "electric cables" and travel through a central canal in the lumbar vertebrae, connecting your brain to the muscles of the legs

• small joints, which provide stability and allow for functional movement

• muscles and ligaments, which provide strength, power, support and stability

Functions of the lower back:

• Protects the soft tissues of the nervous system and spinal cord, as well as adjacent organs of the pelvis and abdomen.
• When standing the lower back holds most of the weight of the body.
• When bending, extending or rotating at the waist the lower back is involved in the movement.

What is low back pain?
Pain in the lower back can generate from:

• bony lumbar spine
• discs between the vertebrae
• ligaments around the spine and discs
• spinal cord and nerves
• muscles of the low back
• internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen
• the skin covering the lumbar area

Pain in the lower back is generally called lumbar strain, and is a stretching injury to the ligaments, tendons, and/or muscles of the low back, which can result in microscopic tears in these tissues. It is soft tissue injury,which can occur because of overuse, improper use, or trauma.

Acute back pain is diagnosed if the condition has been present for days to weeks. Chronic back pain lasts longer than 3 months.

What are the common causes of low back pain?
Low back pain can be caused by many different problems, such as a sudden, forceful movement, trauma, or aging.

The most common causes of low back pain are frequently a combination of factors that increase the likelihood of injury or disease. These may include:

• normal aging (wear and tear)
• osteoporosis/fractures
• a protruding disk
• poor conditioning of the back muscles
• overuse or improper use of the back
• obesity
• smoking

How low back pain can be prevented:
Aging decreases bone mass, strength and flexibility, and cannot be prevented. But its effects on the body can be better controlled with:

• regular appropriate exercises to keep the muscles that support back strong and flexible
• proper lifting and moving techniques
• maintaining a correct posture when standing and sitting
• maintaining proper body weight -- being overweight puts strain on back muscles
• avoiding smoking

How low back pain is treated:
Low back pain can often be treated, but requires an examination by a physician. The following may be used (and often in combination) for the treatment of low back pain:

• resting the back
• medications to relieve pain and muscle spasm
• local heat applications
• massage
• reconditioning exercises to strengthen the low back and abdominal muscles
• weight loss
• quitting smoking
• a rehabilitation program to increase muscle strength
• light physical activity
• surgery

In most cases, long periods of inactivity in bed are no longer promoted as treatment because they may actually slow recovery.