Causes of Chronic Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is a very common and sometimes debilitating condition that affects up to 80 % of the population. Most patients that develop the acute onset of low back pain will able to return to normal activities of daily living and become a functional member of society within 6 weeks of onset. Yet, a small percentage of the population can go on to suffer with chronic disabling lumbar pain.

Despite many scientific advances in medicine over the decades, improvement in the quality of healthcare and the proliferation of various new pharmaceuticals, controlling chronic low back pain can be difficult but not impossible. Surgical solutions for treating low back pain is difficult and often met with mixed results and should be the very last option.

Causes of Chronic Low Back Pain

The causes of chronic lumbar pain are many and can include one or a few of the problems listed below in combination, and the causes are not limited to this list:

•Degenerative Arthritis: This is the most common cause in adults, and is consistent with the normal wear and tear process to the lumbar spine.
•Other types of arthropathies: There are a number of conditions which fall under this section such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diffuse Idiopathic skeletal Hyperostosis(DISH), Lupus, Ankylosing Spondylosis or other HLA-B27 conditions.
•Fibromyalgia: Disease of disuse and muscle deconditioning.
•Stress: This could be either emotional or social stressors which can lead to lumbar pain via muscle spasm.
•Fractures: This can be as a result of any significant trauma such as a motor vehicle accident.
•Muscle Strains: The most common cause as a result of work-related injuries lifting injuries or other types of other trauma.
•Herniated Disc: Disruption of the disc that separates two vertebra that results in nerve root compression.
•Spinal Stenosis: Compression of the spinal nerves secondary to naturally progressive age related arthritis.
•Infection: Bacterial or fungal infection of the spine.
•Cancer
•Intra-abdominal or pelvic organ pathology: Kidney, pancreas, and aorta problems as well as others can mimic symptoms consistent with traditional lower back pain.

It is because the majority of lower back pain in our society is caused by muscle strain or arthritis, and the frequency is so common, that a delay or missed diagnosis of underlying rare conditions, such as but not limited to fractures, cancer, infection, renal stones, and aortic aneurysms, can occur.

What are the Predisposing Factors for Chronic Lower Back Pain?

There are a number of predisposing factors that can increase a patient's chances of having back issues. Problems such as smoking, alcoholism, obesity, low physical activity, psychosocial issues, sedentary jobs, prior failed back surgery, secondary gain, and deconditioning can all increase a patient's chances of developing or maintaining chronic lower back pain.

As it relates to treatment for lower back pain, it is fortunate that the vast majority of patients will have complete resolution of their pain within six to eight weeks of acute onset. The prevalence of lower back issues in our society persisting longer than two weeks is approximately 14%, with a point prevalence of approximately 7% (Deyo, R. A. 1990).

Treatment

The active treatment of lower back pain has two main focuses, the first of which should always be non-operative care. This should include physical therapy, chiropractic, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, limited use of narcotics, various injections (both diagnostic and therapeutic), weight loss, smoking cessation, muscle reconditioning, and the tincture of time.

As it relates specifically to aerobic exercise, fitness creates an overall protective effect on the spine by increasing muscle strength, endurance, and increasing endorphin levels. This can lead to avoiding conditions such as fibromyalgia, which is a disease of disuse.

The other generalized treatment algorithm may include surgery. It is known that surgical intervention for predominant low back pain typically does not result in excellent long-term results.

•Surgical fusion has been met with mixed results for the treatment of predominant low back pain and decompression has a very limited role.

•Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is showing some significant promise in the treatment of low back pain as well as artificial nucleus. Research is still ongoing as it relates to artificial nucleus replacement, yet artificial disk replacement is available and is no longer experimental as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has completed the initial research and approved ADR for human use since 2003. In Europe, artificial disk replacement has been an approved (CE mark) treatment for over 20 years.

Any patient that is considering treatment for chronic, disabling, low back pain should seek the advice of their primary care physician first and address many of the risk factors that have been outlined above.

Surgical intervention for chronic low back pain is not common, but evaluation by a spinal surgery specialist would be an important step to take if you, as a patient, have remained symptomatic, despite the conservative course, for longer than 6 to 8 weeks.

Treatment For Herniated Disc In Lower Back - 5 Natural Home Remedies To Stop Pain and Swelling

Some of the most poignant voices are heard from people who suffer a herniated disc and treatment for herniated disc in lower back is very convoluted.

What Is A Herniated Disc?

Our spine is cushioned by tiny, mushy discs. The main job of these spongy discs is to absorb the shocks endured by our body. Herniated disc is a condition when our discs get damaged or ruptured. It mostly affects our lower back and sometimes the pain can be felt near the neck (cervical spine).

People who are entangled in jobs and sports which require heavy lifting, pushing, twisting are very likely to suffer from this disorder. And with surgeries offering very poor curative results, people are bound to embrace natural remedies.

The Best Natural Treatments:

1) Rest is regarded to be the most effective treatment for herniated disc in lower back. But sometimes, over resting may backfire as it can weaken the surrounding muscles. Therefore, light activities with some rest can bring great relief.

2) Ice or heat treatment can bring great comfort to the patient. Depending on what you are more comfortable with, either of them can be applied to the affected area. They help to numb the nerves, reduces swelling and soothes out the pain. Always remember not to keep both of the either packs on for too long. Apply it for ten minutes followed by a five minutes rest.

3)Back posture is known to be a very important factor for herniated disc since improper posture may exaggerate our condition. Find a relaxing position for rest and sleeping with small pillows can do wonders. Try to use a medium-firm bed with small pillow under your head and knees. Alternatively, sleeping flat on the floor can also bring relief but try not to sleep in one spot for too long.

4)Regular massaging with safflower seed oil, Ignatia and Naja oil with some menthol can bring relief to those who are suffering from herniated disc, as they have their own medicinal values.

- Menthol - Helps in increasing the blood flow and circulation at the affected area which speeds healing.

- Ignatia- Helps to calm the affected nerves which increases the blood flow and gives more mobility to our muscles.

- Naja - Works within the nerves to heal and mitigate pain.

5) Apart from all these home remedies in treatment for herniated disc in lower back,we must note down a few important tips like:

- Staying at a healthy weight reduces a lot of load on our lower back.

- Always protect your back when you lift any item.

- Try to get mild but regular exercise.

- Avoid smoking.

Is There A Quick Yet Affordable Home Remedy?

The bottom line on herniated disc comes down to getting an appropriate treatment which grinds well without heavy expense and without any side effects. The natural remedies mentioned are very effective but they act slowly. But to our relief, studies conducted by a Health Institute has proven that a cream made from a combined mix of natural herbs like Belladonna, Naja, Lachesis Mutus, Ignatia, etc. has the ability to stop pain and swelling in a short period of time. Even better, it does not come with any side effects. It is a breakthrough which is by far one of the best treatment for herniated disc in lower back.

The Benefits of Using Decompression Therapy for Back Pain

There are millions of people suffering from low back pain due to herniated and bulging discs who do not know where to go for treatment. Most of them simply take prescribed medicines to relieve the pain. However, medicines can only provide temporary relief. Surgery is another option but it is expensive and sometimes it does not guarantee success. For these reasons, pain sufferers choose to get relief through alternative treatment.

Decompression therapy is an FDA approved non-surgical, drug-free treatment that uses computer-controlled traction to reduce pressure in the spinal discs by gently stretching the spine. It is intended for patients suffering from back pain due to herniated disc. It can also work for patients who did not get relief from conventional treatments, and patients suffering from other conditions such as neck pain, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, radiculopathy, spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis, and facet syndrome.

A person with a bulging or herniated disc may feel back pain. The disc can be returned to normal with the help of decompression therapy. As the patient is lying comfortably on the decompression table, the computer-controlled traction device is programmed to apply gentle stretching force to the vertebra. This activity helps the disc to absorb the nutrients needed to heal the disc, thereby eliminating pain and discomfort. The therapy is painless and patients find it relaxing and they feel sense of relief, and some even tend to fall asleep while the procedure is taking place.

Decompression therapy can be an excellent treatment option to avoid back surgery. Back surgery, aside from being expensive, often has poor results for pain relief and has many risks and complications. That is why it is always better to avoid surgery if possible.

Although a traction-based treatment, decompression therapy is still different from a regular traction. Spinal decompression separates the affected spinal segments only so it can allow the nutrients to get to the damaged discs. Regular traction on the other hand only stretches the muscles.

Decompression therapy can be an effective treatment for a great majority of back pain sufferers, due to a very obvious result - it works. It has been treating a wide range of problems, improving function and optimizing patient health. So many people had long and distressing stories with chronic pain have enjoyed complete cure or drastic pain reduction after receiving the treatment.

Decompression therapy starts with a consultation with a chiropractor who can evaluate the patient with a history and detailed musculoskeletal examination. This treatment is safe and may be beneficial for back pain whether it is acute or chronic. Lasting pain relief can be achieved with a series of sessions.

Do Chiropractors Really Work?

Lisa said, "All I did was bend over to pick my baby girl up from the floor. Immediately I felt a spike of lower back pain. It was so bad that I couldn't even stand up straight. I just wanted to cry!"

I too have been suffering from lower back pain for quite some time now. It is because of this lower back pain that I started to learn about my options. I live in Owings Mills, Maryland so I have plenty of options when it comes to Chiropractors in my area. A quick Google search for 'Baltimore chiropractic', 'Owings Mills chiropractic', or 'Pikesville chiropractor' reveals lots of chiropractic clinics in the area.

Baltimore Maryland Chiropractors and chiropractors all over the world hear stories just like Lisa's and mine. Sudden back pain brings lots of people every day into Chiropractic clinics across the world.

Why is it that trained weight lifters are able to pick up hundreds of pounds and not experience any lower back pain, yet without any previous signs of problems, someone like Lisa has a sudden onset of pain from just bending over?

If the lower back muscles have weakened or the spine is out of alignment, something as simple as picking up you baby, reaching for laundry, or bending down to feed the cat can cause a lower back injury.

Chiropractic clinics don't just work with sports injuries, and victims of auto accidents. People from all walks of life who suffer with back pain from everyday common events are flocking to Chiropractic centers for Spinal Adjustments and relief from back pain. Many techniques are used including Spinal decompression to stabilize the spine and reduce nerve pressure from joint degeneration and disc injuries.

The medical term for the most common and widespread cause of mechanical lower back pain is subluxation. I spoke with an Owings Mills Chiropractor who defined subluxation as "a condition where adjacent spinal bones are out of alignment with each other." Nerve fibers run between each of the vertebrae. A subluxation can cause a pinched nerve producing pain and reduced function of our bodies.

What causes subluxation to occur? In one word, the answer is stress. This could be emotional stress, physical stress, or chemical stress. Sometimes the stress is physical as in an injury or trauma. Often however, the stress is a result of everyday bending, lifting or stooping. Poor posture, poor support when sitting at work, and other daily activities can cause subluxation. Even emotional stress and tension and cause the muscles to pull on the vertebra.

Your local Baltimore Maryland Chiropractic Center can teach you more about the causes of lower back pain and how to avoid them in the future.

So anyways, back to my own back pain. What I learned from talking to local family chiropractors is that I should have what is called a chiropractic adjustment. This is also known as a spinal adjustment. This is exactly what it sounds like. The chiropractor uses various techniques, depending on the patient, to adjust the spine. Typically it is a gentle force or thrusting movement that moves the spine or joint within its normal range of motion. This will increase the range of motion and help to ease the pain.

I will soon be contacting my local Baltimore Maryland Chiropractor to set up an appointment. I will be sure to write a follow-up article telling you how it goes. From what I am learning a Chiropractor is just what I need to get rid of this annoying lower back pain.

Spinal Decompression, A Non Invasive Treatment for Spinal Disc Problems

Spinal decompression is a technique employed by trained chiropractors to relive spinal pressure. Normal human movement requires the spine to have full range of motion. Each disc must work independently enough to allow the human to move in multiple directions. However, the discs must also work together to protect the spine from injury. On occasion, the discs will come out of alignment. On others, the nerves going out of the spine to various parts of the body may catch in between the discs. This can cause both pain and numbness to some degree.

Those that suffer from severe back pain may find spinal decompression an effective treatment for a variety of conditions. Sciatica, slipped disc, or bulging disc can cause problems in anyone's back. Pregnancy related problems can also come forward in the form of back pain. Seemingly, unrelated issues may have their root causes in spinal issues. These include neck pain, hip pain, leg pain, shoulder pain, and headache. When the spine is not working right, the rest of the body will suffer right along with it. Standing or sitting for long periods can cause back discs to come out of alignment. So can injuries that come from a variety of sources.

Spinal decompression uses gradual stretching to pull the discs slightly apart. There is no need for massive movement. Gradual, almost microscopic movements in the spine allow the compressed tissues to come back into proper place. Discs coming back into alignment will reduce or eliminate unnecessary pressure on nerves. The therapy requires a few visits over four to six weeks typically. Many people realize a great deal of change over this short period. Surveys of patients show a remarkable improvement with pain in all parts of the body after going through the treatment.

This type of therapy may not be for everyone. The chiropractor will examine you to make sure the damage in your back is not too severe. While the decompression works on many, a few may require more intervention. However, once you get past the initial screening, the chiropractor can set up your treatment plan. The programme will include multiple weekly sessions over a few weeks time. The doctor may apply heat or cold during the sessions to keep the muscles relaxed during the process. If you are experiencing ongoing back issues, visit a wellness centre near you soon to get your treatment plan in place today.

Is It OK For Pain Management Doctors To Fire Patients Using Medical Marijuana?

When a patient sees a pain management doctor, the patient may receive narcotic medications. Especially if the person has a chronic pain issue and there is no surgical answer, opiates may be part of the plan for a long time.

There are significant potential side effects with opiate medications. This may include constipation, depression, sedation, euphoria, dizziness, fatigue, anxiousness, clammy skin, confusion, respiratory depression, and a slew of others.

One of the biggest issues seen is tolerance and/or addiction with opiates. Tolerance is when the patient's chronic pain condition doesn't change, but the same amount of pain medication doesn't quite provide adequate pain relief any longer.

One of the newer options in 16 states plus the District of Columbia is medicinal marijuana. Treatment with marijuana may offer substantial relief that may decrease the need for high doses of opiates or in some cases provide relief where opiates do not work well.

For instance, opiate medications are not a great choice for peripheral neuropathies. They just don't modulate the pain well, whereas, medical marijuana works very well for these issues.

Medical marijuana does not preclude the need for interventional pain management. With a disc herniation or a focal problem where a pain management injection would help, medical marijuana is not the answer.

When patients are on chronic pain medications with a pain doctor, typically a pain contract is signed. The "contract" usually states that while a patient is under his or her care, the patient will not use illicit drugs.

Unfortunately, marijuana is still federally illegal despite the fact it is now legal in 16 states. And most pain doctors perform drug screening on their patients. So if a patient is under a contract, gets tested, and turns up positive for THC (the active component of marijuana), is it appropriate for the pain doctor to terminate the patient?

It's a simple answer as to whether or not the pain doctor has the right to terminate the patient, but not a simple answer as to whether it's appropriate. If the pain agreement states that the doctor has the right to terminate a patient if the drug test turns up positive for narcotics not being prescribed, then that is difficult to refute. If the patient is given the opportunity to rectify their termination by ceasing the marijuana use and re-testing in a few weeks, once again that is the doctor's prerogative.

Ethically, the situation is not so simple. Patients deserve effective pain management, and there is a big push in American not to undertreat. Medical marijuana has shown effectiveness in a number of chronic pain conditions and numerous other conditions such as severe nausea/vomiting and cancer.

Having marijuana continue to be federally illegal and placed into the illicit category puts pain doctors in a very difficult situation. If they test patients for THC and then don't terminate patients who test positive, is it showing bias with regard to other illicit substances?

Some pain doctors do not view marijuana as an illicit substance due to its medicinal value, therefore, they do not test for it with screening. If a patient discloses the use of marijuana to the doctor, the issue becomes the same.

The point here is there really is no clear cut right and wrong answer for the pain doctor to follow. Guidelines need to be individualized. Hopefully once federal views on marijuana change then these ethical issues will become moot.

Treatment For Bulging Discs - 5 Ground-Breaking Methods Available From Home to Treat Bulging Discs!

In this article, we will discuss about various treatments for bulging discs. A bulging disc; also known as a herniated disc, a raised disc, or a slipped disc, creates pressure on the nerves due to a compressed disc squeezing out between the vertebrae.

Most raised disc heal within four to six weeks if you apply proper care. If you know about treatments for bulging discs which you can apply from home, then the probability of achieving this will be even higher.

Well, this article will look at treatments for bulging discs (5 of such treatments actually) which can be performed from the comfort of your own home without drawing attention to your condition.

Tip: Read the conclusion to discover a way to make this condition a thing of the past in your life forever...

[Number One] - Low Impact Exercise Routines...
One what to get your slipped disc back into place is by ensuring that you make it a point of duty to daily perform low impact exercise routines.

These low impact exercise routines include, but are not limited to, the following; aerobics, swimming, cycling or walking, or stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises.

[Number Two] - Non-Steroidal Drugs...
While these drugs are effective ways to treat your herniated disc, they are not recommended to be taken for a protracted period of time due to the fact that they can be addictive and habit-forming.

These over the counter, non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include; Tylenol, Ibuprofen and Advil, to mention a few. Never self medicate, consult your doctor for proper prescription.

[Number Three] - Heating Pad...
A great way to reduce the raised disc back into place is through the use of a heating pad. What happens when you use this method is that your muscles become warmed by the heating pad and this invariably relieves the stiffness in your back so that mobility is maintained.

[Number Four] - Reduce Swelling...
You may also make use of an ice pack to reduce swelling after any activity. Make use of the ice pack for about 20 minutes per session and perform several sessions daily (a minimum of four sessions daily at the least). Make sure you do not apply the ice directly onto your skin so as not to damage your skin tissue.

To reduce the swelling, pressure and pain in your back, you may also want to limit your activity and also use over the counter medication to reduce the inflamed muscles.

[Number Five] - Use Support...
Using something for support is not a sign of weakness. You can make use of a brace or pillows while sleeping. Use chairs that are ergonomically designed so that your spine is supported. Avoid movements that will strain your injury like; lifting weights, or bending.

Conclusion...

The five methods above are fantastic treatments for bulging discs and will ensure that your herniated disk reduces and eventually returns back into its proper position but the "not so good news" is this...

...the methods above cannot guarantee that your slipped disc won't reoccur at a later date. Read on to discover a method that will guarantee a proven effective, total, and permanent cure from your pain which will guarantee that it will not occur again forever...

FACT: Most conventional treatments for bulging discs only work as a temporary band aid solution; they all fail to work in the long run!