What is low back pain? Low back pain is pain and stiffness in the lower back. Some studies showed that it is one of the most common reasons people miss work.
How does it occur? Low back pain is usually caused when soft tissue like muscles and ligaments attaching a vertebra is strained. Vertebra is the back bone that protects the spinal cord inside. When these muscles or ligaments become weak or strained, the spine loses its stability, resulting in pain. Low back pain can be caused by several reasons:
1) Lifting and carrying heavy objects
2) Static positions like spending a lot of time sitting or standing in one position
3) Injury caused by a fall or by unusually strenuous exercise
4) Tension and stress that even cause headaches in some people
5) Violent sneezing or coughing
6) Overweight
7) An infection or an immune system problem
Arthritic disorders, congenital and degenerative conditions
If you find the pain is accompanied by loss of bowel or bladder control, weakness in moving your legs, or tingling or numbness or pins and needles sensation in your legs may indicate an injury to your spine and nerves. Immediate medical treatment may be required. What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include:
->pain in the back or legs
->stiffness, spasm, or limited movement
The pattern of pain could be continuous or intermittent. It may be aggravated by certain factors like certain movements or positions, coughing, sneezing, twisting, bending or straining during a bowel movement. The pain could be localized (i.e. you can point of one spot of pain) or diffused (i.e. pain would be spread to other areas).
If the pain is found below the knee, the involvement of a herniated disc or nerve impingement would be suspected.
In the following situation, be sure you seek for immediate medical advice:
1) Significant weakness in your legs: You may prone to have the problem of nerve damage.
2) Problems of bladder or bowel control: Serve injury of spinal cord is suspected.
3) Despite of treatment, your pain gets worse.
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