By Dr. Scott Gray – Back In Motion Sport & Spine Physical Therapy
At any given time, forty percent of the world’s population experiences lower back pain. Strangely enough, the majority of back pain sufferers live in developed countries.
What Causes Lower Back Pain In Those Aged 50+?
Most lower back pain doesn’t have a definite cause, rather it’s due to non-serious skeletal and muscle issues such as strains or sprains. There are many reasons one why you may feel your back is betraying you with aches and pains. Here are a few of the reasons your back may hurt.
• Because lower back pain is a musculoskeletal problem, being overweight or suddenly gaining weight, can bring pain. So can poor posture and poor sleeping positions.
• Playing “rough and tumble” sports, falling, and injury, are all reasons why you might develop lower back pain. Lifting a heavy object the wrong way is often the beginning of a backache,
• When a woman is experiencing medical problems affecting the reproductive organs, such as ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids and endometriosis, she will most likely feel pain in the back.
• Strange as it may seem, smokers, especially adolescent smokers, are more likely to have back pain than non-smokers.
• Another big contributor to lower back aches and pain, is simply getting older. As we age, the “cushions” between our vertebrae lose moisture and begin to shrink causing musculoskeletal problems such as spinal stenosis and facet joint arthritis.
• Prolonged sitting. Today many of us sit for long hours at a time. Too much sitting softens and weakens our back muscles, bringing on back problems.
Your Treatment Options…
Although the majority of lower back pain conditions are non-threatening, if they’re not taken care of they can turn into chronic pain, disability, or even cause further emotional and physical distress.
The problem with most lower back pain conditions is that your treatment options are limited or dangerous. Below are the most common treatment approaches:
Surgery—Always a Last Resort
• Surgery may prove necessary for someone with neurological symptoms or with severe pain.
• Discectomy, which is the partial removal of the disc causing pain, may provide relief.
• Micro-discectomy is less invasive, but there is no evidence that it will give different outcomes than regular discectomy,
• Spinal fusion can benefit those with localized pain and with degenerative disc disease.
It is an intensive procedure but can cause an array of symptoms after surgery. It is an intensive procedure, and is better than the low intensity, non-surgical treatment options. For those with low back pain displaced vertebra, this may be the needed treatment.
• Although surgery is a viable option for some patients, it has been shown that 50% of all lower back pain surgeries fail or go wrong according to many studies.
Medications- Proceed With Caution
Doctors will often recommend medications to ease lower back pain. Though helpful in easing pain, care must be taken in their use.
• First in line are NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen etc.) or the skeletal muscle relaxants. Although they are effective in treating pain, these medications can promote kidney problems, stomach ulcers and even heart issues when used long-term.
• If pain escalates, opioids such as morphine are usually prescribed. Opioids need to be used with extreme caution because of the risks of addiction and drug interactions.
• Antidepressants can be effective in treating chronic lower back pain, but like most of the pain management drugs, there is a risk of side effects.
• Facet joint and steroid injections are not effective in treating persistent pain; however, they can be useful for sciatic pain. They do have risks in hitting a nerve and causing paralysis, though.
• Epidural injections provide the patient with short term improvement, especially for people with sciatica. Long term benefits, however, are doubtful.
The Best Approach…
An eclectic approach of patient education, physical activity, and hands-on care has been shown to be the most effective in easing lower back pain and sciatica.
Physical Activity – is increasingly being recommended as a way to manage lower back pain. The reason? Not only does it help reduce pain, it also increases range of motion, nourishes your discs, and strengthens your muscles of your spine.
Patient Education – has also been shown to be effective in managing lower back pain. If you’re bending or sitting improperly, you’ll need expert advice on how to do these tasks correctly so you don’t keep hurting your back.
Hands-On Care – This may be the best form of treatment of all. When you seek a specialized lower back pain specialist they’ll be able to loosen your tight muscles and joints with hands-on techniques. This is great for pain relief but increasing your mobility.
Recapping What You Need To Do…
One of best things you can do for yourself if you are plagued by back pain is—understand you can get better. As tough as it is to be in pain, and as discouraging, by following these tips you will be on the road to less pain and greater movement.
It’s time to change your mind-set from one of hopelessness to optimism. It might seem too simple, but that one action changes the way the hormones in you body work! Research is proving our mind-body connection is much stronger than once thought.
If you truly want a more pain-free body, peace of mind, and enjoy your Florida lifestyle it’s time to get moving. We’ve put together a Free and Special Report to help you do just that. In this free and special report we’ve put together…
The 10 Simple Ways That Will Ease Back Pain Naturally For Those Aged 50+…. Whether You’ve Suffered For Weeks, Months, Or Even Years.
To claim this free and special report all you need to do is call 239-223-0484 and we’ll send you one directly in the mail or email so you can make progress right away.
If your situation is urgent, please call 239-223-0484 to schedule your free consultation.
9211 College Parkway | Fort Myers, Fl 33919 | Phone: 239-223-0484 | www.backinmotionsspt.com