Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some time in their lives!!!!
What is Back Pain
Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some time in their lives. Here you'll find in-depth articles about the causes of back pain and back pain relief - from exercises to medical treatments.
Back Pain: A very common condition
The spine is the central support system of the body. We only realise how much work our backs do when something goes wrong. A sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, being overweight, bad working practises and a high level of stress all contribute to back problems.
Some facts
* 60% : 80% of people in the Western world are affected by back ache.
* The incidence of back problems is highest between the ages of 30 : 50 years.
* Back pain is the third most common cause of loss of work days (after headache and the common cold).
Some Basic Anatomy
Parts of the Spine
Vertebrae : 24 bones are stacked One On top of the other to form the spinal column.
Intervertebral discs : cushions of cartilage separating the vertebrae. They act as shock absorbers and enable the spine to move in many directions. Each disc has a soft jelly-like inner core surrounded by rings of tough fibres.
Facet joints : small joints which maintain spinal stability.
Spinal cord : a cable of nerves running from the brain through a canal in the centre of the spinal column. Nerves to the arms and legs pass through openings between the vertebrae.
Ligaments : strong fibres provide support to the joints of the spine.
Muscles : large and small muscles produce movement and give the back dynamic support. Other muscle groups from the shoulder girdle, chest, pelvis, hips and abdomen rely on their attachment to the spine so they can move other parts of the body.
Prevention and controlling back problems
* Always be aware of how you are using your back.
* Improve your posture and the way you move when you sit, stand, work and play.
* Include regular exercise as part of your normal lifestyle.
* Reduce the amount of stress in your life.
* Persistent, complex or severe back pain may be best helped with treatment by a suitably qualified doctor or physiotherapist.
What causes back pain?
It is pain which makes us realise that our back is not functioning properly. Often pain develops gradually of intermittently and the cause is not obvious. The back is a complicated structure and pain can occur anywhere along its length. Most commonly it occurs in the neck and the lower back. People are often concerned that back pain indicates other serious disorders.
* Back Strains Abnormal stress, either sudden or over time, can injure the muscles, ligaments or joints of the spine. An acute back injury may result from an unexpected jolt or incorrect lift. Alternatively, poor posture and weak muscles can lead to a chronic backache. Muscle and ligament strains are the most common cause of back pain.
* Disc degeneration Degeneration of the outer layers of a disc result in flattening and bulging.
* Arthritis Like other joints of the body, the spinal facet joints can develop arthritis. There may be degeneration and inflammation within the joint and the growth of bony spurs (osteophytes) on the edges of the vertebrae. Commonly arthritis of the facet joints is associated with disc degeneration. Some forms of inflammatory arthritis such as ankylosing spondylitis directly involve the spine.
* Sciatica The sciatic nerves run from the lower back, across the buttocks and down the backs of the legs. They can be irritated by a bulging disc or inflamed facet joint and pain can occur anywhere along their paths. Referred pain from spinal disease can occur anywhere in any limb.
* Osteoporosis Loss of calcium from the bones of the spine may result in partial collapse of the vertebrae. This is most common in post-menopausal women.
* Emotional stress Increased muscle tension will often stir up an existing back problem. Prolonged muscle tension will result in muscle imbalances and abnormal stress on the spine. Increased backpain may be associated with periods of stress. Prescribed Drugs for pain?
There are a number of other significant, though less common, causes of back pain. These need to be investigated if severe pain persists.
Exercise your back
* Improvement in general fitness helps to reduce and prevent back pain.
* Regular back exercises will help to:
o strengthen muscles supporting the back
o stretch tight joints, muscles and ligaments
o increase mobility
o improve posture
* Start with three to five of each exercise daily and gradually build up to 10.
* Discontinue any exercise that causes pain, severe discomfort, leg numbness or tingling.
Good posture
* maintains the spine in its optimal position,
* puts least strain on intervertebral discs,
* allows spine, head, arms and legs to move more efficiently,
* improves breathing capacity,
* allows internal organs to work more effectively,
* improves circulation,
* looks and feels better.
Plan your lift
* check that surroundings are clear,
* stand close to the object,
* keep your back straight and bend at the hip and knees,
* take a firm hold of the object holding it close to your body,
* tuck in your chin, tighten your stomach muscles, keep your back straight and lift by straightening your knees,
* if lifting with another person, work together on the '1,2,3,:lift! " principle.
* push or pull an object rather than lifting it.
Working and Other Daily Activities
* always keep your back straight,
* arrange your work space so that the most frequently used items are within easy reach to avoid a' lot of bending and stretching,
* squat or kneel down to work at a low level,
* carry objects in both arms close to the body; avoid one-sided carrying if possible.
* when sweeping or vacuuming use short strokes, bend your knees and move your feet to avoid over-reaching.
* before you do something, try to find a way that puts less strain on your back. Remember basic standing, sitting and lifting principles. Review daily activities with these thoughts in mind.
Source for the complete details about the drugs and disease epsdrugstore
Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some time in their lives. Here you'll find in-depth articles about the causes of back pain and back pain relief - from exercises to medical treatments.
Back Pain: A very common condition
The spine is the central support system of the body. We only realise how much work our backs do when something goes wrong. A sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, being overweight, bad working practises and a high level of stress all contribute to back problems.
Some facts
* 60% : 80% of people in the Western world are affected by back ache.
* The incidence of back problems is highest between the ages of 30 : 50 years.
* Back pain is the third most common cause of loss of work days (after headache and the common cold).
Some Basic Anatomy
Parts of the Spine
Vertebrae : 24 bones are stacked One On top of the other to form the spinal column.
Intervertebral discs : cushions of cartilage separating the vertebrae. They act as shock absorbers and enable the spine to move in many directions. Each disc has a soft jelly-like inner core surrounded by rings of tough fibres.
Facet joints : small joints which maintain spinal stability.
Spinal cord : a cable of nerves running from the brain through a canal in the centre of the spinal column. Nerves to the arms and legs pass through openings between the vertebrae.
Ligaments : strong fibres provide support to the joints of the spine.
Muscles : large and small muscles produce movement and give the back dynamic support. Other muscle groups from the shoulder girdle, chest, pelvis, hips and abdomen rely on their attachment to the spine so they can move other parts of the body.
Prevention and controlling back problems
* Always be aware of how you are using your back.
* Improve your posture and the way you move when you sit, stand, work and play.
* Include regular exercise as part of your normal lifestyle.
* Reduce the amount of stress in your life.
* Persistent, complex or severe back pain may be best helped with treatment by a suitably qualified doctor or physiotherapist.
What causes back pain?
It is pain which makes us realise that our back is not functioning properly. Often pain develops gradually of intermittently and the cause is not obvious. The back is a complicated structure and pain can occur anywhere along its length. Most commonly it occurs in the neck and the lower back. People are often concerned that back pain indicates other serious disorders.
* Back Strains Abnormal stress, either sudden or over time, can injure the muscles, ligaments or joints of the spine. An acute back injury may result from an unexpected jolt or incorrect lift. Alternatively, poor posture and weak muscles can lead to a chronic backache. Muscle and ligament strains are the most common cause of back pain.
* Disc degeneration Degeneration of the outer layers of a disc result in flattening and bulging.
* Arthritis Like other joints of the body, the spinal facet joints can develop arthritis. There may be degeneration and inflammation within the joint and the growth of bony spurs (osteophytes) on the edges of the vertebrae. Commonly arthritis of the facet joints is associated with disc degeneration. Some forms of inflammatory arthritis such as ankylosing spondylitis directly involve the spine.
* Sciatica The sciatic nerves run from the lower back, across the buttocks and down the backs of the legs. They can be irritated by a bulging disc or inflamed facet joint and pain can occur anywhere along their paths. Referred pain from spinal disease can occur anywhere in any limb.
* Osteoporosis Loss of calcium from the bones of the spine may result in partial collapse of the vertebrae. This is most common in post-menopausal women.
* Emotional stress Increased muscle tension will often stir up an existing back problem. Prolonged muscle tension will result in muscle imbalances and abnormal stress on the spine. Increased backpain may be associated with periods of stress. Prescribed Drugs for pain?
There are a number of other significant, though less common, causes of back pain. These need to be investigated if severe pain persists.
Exercise your back
* Improvement in general fitness helps to reduce and prevent back pain.
* Regular back exercises will help to:
o strengthen muscles supporting the back
o stretch tight joints, muscles and ligaments
o increase mobility
o improve posture
* Start with three to five of each exercise daily and gradually build up to 10.
* Discontinue any exercise that causes pain, severe discomfort, leg numbness or tingling.
Good posture
* maintains the spine in its optimal position,
* puts least strain on intervertebral discs,
* allows spine, head, arms and legs to move more efficiently,
* improves breathing capacity,
* allows internal organs to work more effectively,
* improves circulation,
* looks and feels better.
Plan your lift
* check that surroundings are clear,
* stand close to the object,
* keep your back straight and bend at the hip and knees,
* take a firm hold of the object holding it close to your body,
* tuck in your chin, tighten your stomach muscles, keep your back straight and lift by straightening your knees,
* if lifting with another person, work together on the '1,2,3,:lift! " principle.
* push or pull an object rather than lifting it.
Working and Other Daily Activities
* always keep your back straight,
* arrange your work space so that the most frequently used items are within easy reach to avoid a' lot of bending and stretching,
* squat or kneel down to work at a low level,
* carry objects in both arms close to the body; avoid one-sided carrying if possible.
* when sweeping or vacuuming use short strokes, bend your knees and move your feet to avoid over-reaching.
* before you do something, try to find a way that puts less strain on your back. Remember basic standing, sitting and lifting principles. Review daily activities with these thoughts in mind.
Source for the complete details about the drugs and disease epsdrugstore
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