LOW BACK PAIN

Most people  may  experience  low  back pain at certain stages of their life.It is characterized  by pain stiffness  and  tension  in the back. This   pain  can vary  from mild  to severe depending upon the   duration. It can be short lived  or long lasting . However, low back pain  can make  everyday  activities  difficult to perform.

The low back pain  is  the  most common  cause of job related  disability  and  leading contributor  to missed  work. Acute  or short term  low  back  pain generally lasts from a few  days  to few  weeks . Most  acute back pain  is  mechanical in nature  as   a result of the  trauma  to the  lower back  or due  to the  disorders  such  as  arthritis.  Symptoms

The low  back pain is experienced  by stiff back tension , soreness  and /or stiffness in  the lower back that moves  down  the buttocks  into one or both  of the  legs  may be  symptoms  of sciatic. Soreness in the lower back , muscle   weakness  and tight muscle  may be  caused  by a  slipped  disc.  In case  of slipped   disc  the pain  usually radiates down the legs .

Pain in  the  joints  when  walking and  stiffness  first thing in the morning  re symptoms  of  arthritis . Neck pain and  stiffness , headaches  and lower back  are common symptoms 

CAUSES

Back  is  a complex  structure made up of bones , muscles, nerves  and joints  that can often make  it difficult to pinpoint the  exact cause of pain . Most cases of low  back pain  are  caused  by sprains, minor strains , minor injuries or a  pinched  or  irritated nerve. Some  of the  main causes  are  :

Bending  awkwardly for  long periods,

Lifting carrying , pushing or pulling  heavyweights  incorrectly causing sprain  strain or spasm in the  back muscle  or ligaments ,

Sitting  in  wrong posture  in chair  for long periods

Twisting  or overstretching  of back , Overuse  of muscles , usually due  to the sport or repetitive  movements.

Risk factors

Overweight, smoking , pregnant, Medicinal, stress , depression , age

Conditions  or  disease  associated with Low back  pain

 Bulging disc, Osteoporosis , Skeletal irregularities , Fibromyalgia, Spondylitis , Herniated  disc  ( slipped  disc) Disc  degeneration ( Osteoarthritis   in the spine )  lumbar spinal  stenosis .

Healthier  back

Always   do warm up  exercise  or any   other  strenuous activity  in the morning,

Don’t lean  forward  abruptly while  standing  or sitting

At home  or work , make  sure the  work  surface is  at  comfortable ,

Sit in  a chair  with good lumbar support  and  proper  position . Keep the  shoulders  back and relaxed . Sleep on the side  to reduce  any  curve  in the spine . Always sleep on the  firm surface.

Do not try to  lift the  objects  that are too heavy . Keep the objects  near the body  . Do not  twist when  lifting .

Quit smoking :  Smoking reduces  blood  flow  to the lowerspine and   causes  the  spinal   discs  to degenerate .

Yogic  Management

OM  chanting  and prayer

Spinal exercise

Yogasanas –Pranayama

Hasta Mudra

Accupressure