Diagonising Lower Back Pain
Back pain is a problem for millions of people around the world. It can restrict their movement and for some the pain is excruciating. Back pain has many causes. It may be a result of injury, illness, or certain conditions. This means making a proper diagnosis is difficult but it is important. Back pain which is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, abdominal pain, or bowel problems, could indicate something more serious and you should seek medical advice immediately. However, this is not the cause of back pain for most people. It is more likely the result of injury.
Lower back pain can be classified into three categories:
- Axial lower back pain (simple back pain).
- Radicular lower back pain (sciatica).
- Lower back pain with referred pain.
The most common type of lower back pain is known as simple back pain or axial pain. This is confined to the lower back area and does not affect other areas of the back or body. Causes of this include disc, muscle, ligament or tendon damage. The usual treatment for is rest, the use of hot and/or cold presses, doctor or physio recommended exercises, and over the counter pain medication. Chronic and severe pain is can be serious and you should see a doctor or specialist to receive treatment for your condition.
Radicular lower back pain, or sciatica, is related to the spinal nerves and results in pain in the legs as well as the lower back. This is generally as a result of compression in the sciatic nerve and often results in more pain in the legs than in the back. The original cause may have been due to a nerve root injury, diabetes or a herniated disc. This can be treated with medication and physical therapy or in more serious cases, with surgery.
The other type of lower back pain includes referred pain. This referred pain can be from any part of the body. It can be due to muscle, ligament, tendon or disc damage, as with axial lower back pain. The treatment in this case is similar to that of simple back pain.
Most cases of back pain can be treated. If you suffer from back pain, try to rest, use hot and cold packs, visit a physio for treatment, and seek advice from your pharmacist regarding medication. If your pain is chronic or severe then you should see a doctor for help.
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