Back Pain

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Back Pain

• Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually
  originates from the muscles, nerves, bones,
  joints or
• other structures in the spine.
• The pain can often be divided into neck pain,
  upper back pain, lower back pain or tailbone
  pain. It
• May have a sudden onset or can be a chronic pain
  it can be constant or intermittent, stay in one
• place or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull
  ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning
  sensation.
• The pain may be radiate into the arm and hand),
  in the upper back, or in the low back, (and might
• radiate into the leg or foot), and may include
  symptoms other than pain, such as weakness,
• numbness or tingling.
• Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent
  complaints. About nine out of ten adults
• Experience back pain at some point in their life,
  and five out of ten working adults have back pain
• every year.
• The spine is a complex interconnecting network of
  nerves, joints, muscles, tendons
• and ligaments, and all are capable of producing
  pain. Large nerves that originate in
• the spine and go to the legs and arms can make
  pain radiate to the extremities.

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The different parts of the spine
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Causes of back pain

• There isn't usually an underlying condition
  causing back pain - nothing shows up in tests and
  
• nothing is permanently damaged. This is called
  simple or non-specific back pain. Nine out of 10
• people with simple back pain recover completely
  within six weeks.
• You're more likely to develop simple back pain if
  you
• stand, sit or bend down for long periods
• lift, carry, push or pull loads that are too
  heavy, or if you go about these tasks in the
  wrong way
• have a trip or a fall
• are stressed or anxious
• are overweight
• Occasionally, there may be a more serious
  underlying cause of your
• back pain, but this is rare. These causes include
  osteoporosis, a prolapsed
• (slipped) disc, spinal stenosis, malformation of
  the spine, infection or
• collapse of the vertebrae, tuberculosis or
  cancer.

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What are the risk factors for back pain?

• A risk factor is something which increases the
  likelihood of developing a condition or
• disease. For example, obesity significantly
  raises the risk of developing diabetes type
• 2. Therefore, obesity is a risk factor for
  diabetes type 2. The following factors are
• linked to a higher risk of developing low back
  pain
• A mentally stressful job
• Pregnancy - pregnant women are much more likely
  to get back pain
• A sedentary lifestyle
• Age - older adults are more susceptible than
  young adults or children
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Gender - back pain is more common among females
  than males
• Obesity/overweight
• Smoking
• Strenuous physical exercise (especially if not
  done properly)
• Strenuous physical work

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Symptoms of back pain

• Simple back pain is often in your lower back
  (lumbar region), and may also spread to your
  buttocks and
• thighs. It's often described as a dull pain and
  can come and go at different times, depending on
  your
• level of activity. The pain can begin suddenly or
  come on gradually if you strain your back over
  time.
• Simple back pain usually only lasts a few days
  and gets better on its own.
• However, you should see your GP as soon as
  possible if, as well as back pain, you have
• fever (high temperature)
• redness or swelling on your back
• pain down your legs and below your knees
• numbness or weakness in one or both legs or
  around your buttocks
• loss of bladder or bowel control (incontinence)
• Some symptoms are called "red flags" and may
  indicate that you require
• treatment for an underlying condition.
  You should see your GP if
• your pain is the result of an injury
• you're under 20 or over 55 and the pain lasts for
  more than a few days
• you have had or currently have cancer in any part
  of your body
• you have HIV/AIDS
• you have been taking steroid medicines for more
  than a few months

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Diagnosis of back pain

• Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and
  examine
• you. He or she may also ask you about your
  medical history.
• If your pain lasts longer than six weeks, or if
  your GP suspects
• there is some underlying cause of your pain, he
  or she may
• recommend more tests such as
• X-rays
• CT scans - a CT scan uses X-rays to make a
  three-dimensional image of the body/or part of
  the body
• MRI - an MRI scan uses magnets and radiowaves to
  produce images of the inside of your body
• blood tests

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Treatment of back pain

• Self-help
• - There are many things you can do to help
  yourself.
• - Stay active - return to your usual level of
  physical activity as soon as possible. This may
  hurt more at first, but it
• will help you get better and reduce
  your risk of getting simple back pain again.
• - Bed rest - if the pain is so bad that you
  can't get moving, keep the time you stay in bed
  as short as possible. Lying
• in bed can do more harm than good.
• - Stay positive and set yourself goals - this
  will help you get back to your usual levels of
  physical activity.
• - Heat therapy - apply a hot water bottle or
  heat pack directly to the affected area, or take
  a hot bath.
• - Ice therapy - apply a cold compress, such as
  ice or a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel.
  Don't apply ice
• directly to your skin because you
  could damage it.
• - Pace yourself - be careful not to overdo it
  when your pain improves.
• Medicines
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  (TENS)
• Manipulation
• Pain clinics
• Injections
• Surgery
• Complementary therapies

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Prevention of back pain

• Good back care can greatly reduce your risk of
  back pain.
• To look after your back, make sure you
• take regular exercise - walking and swimming are
  particularly recommended
• try to reduce your stress levels - use relaxation
  techniques
• bend from your knees and hips - not your
• back
• maintain good posture - keep your shoulders
• back and don't slouch

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Back Pain in Children

• Most treatment for back pain in children is
  non-surgical. Treatment of children with
  non-specific back pain
• Includes change in activity and rest. Trunk
  strengthening and postural exercises with the
  help of a physical
• therapist may be useful. Short-term use of
  over-the-counter medications such as Ibuprofen
  (Advil, Motrin) may
• be beneficial. Weight loss may be recommended.
• Carrying backpacks may sometimes be to blame for
  non-specific back pain. It is suggested that
  children wear
• their backpack using both shoulder straps. Making
  more frequent trips to the locker can decrease
  the weight of
• The backpack. Some children choose to use wheeled
  backpacks.
• Treatment of non-specific back pain may include
  involving the school counselor or a psychologist.
  Children may

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QUIZ

• The highest incidence of back pain is between
  what ages?
• 20-34 years old
• 35-55 years old
• over 55 years old
• Equal among all age groups
• The spine is
• Strong - flexible supportive
• Weak - not flexible - easily injured
• There is a genetic predisposition involved with
  back pain. If your
• parents have a back condition you are likely to
  have back problems.
• True
• False
• Statistically, what percentage of people with low
  back pain are
• successfully treated without surgery?
• 30
• 50
• 70

• Prolonged bed rest is
• The primary recommended
• treatment for back pain.
• Not the recommended
• treatment for back pain.
• Which of the following is recommended for
  preventing recurring episodes
• of back pain?
• Lift by bending at the knees, not bending from
  the waist.
• Sleep on your side with knees drawn up.
• Regular exercise
• All of the above
• None of the above
• The backbone is a stack of how many jointed bones
  (vertebrae)?
• 14
• 24
• 34
• Most back pain is located in

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QUIZ

• Pain in the lower back is the leading cause of
  work-related
• disability.
• True
• False
• In spinal stenosis, the spinal canal, which
  contains and protects the
• spinal cord and nerve roots, narrows and pinches
  the spinal cord
• and nerves. The result is low back pain as well
  as pain in the legs.
• Which is not a possible cause of spinal stenosis?
• Aging
• Heredity
• Changes in blood flow to the lumbar spine.
• Good posture
• Which statement is true?
• Xrays show alignment of your bones.
• MRI and CAT scans can detect herniated discs, or
  problems with bones, muscles, tissues, tendons,
• ligaments, nerves, blood vessels.
• Bone scan can detect tumors, or compression
  fractures.

• Which of the following are popular complementary
  treatments for
• chronic back pain?
• Chiropractic care
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Heat
• All of the above
• None of the above
• Compression fractures in the bones of the back
  result from
• Osteosarcoma
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Osteopenia
• Which of the following can contribute to back
  pain?
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Strenuous sports

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QUIZ ANSWERS

• The highest incidence of back pain is between
  what ages?
• 20-34 years old
• 35-55 years old
• over 55 years old
• Equal among all age groups
• The spine is
• Strong - flexible supportive
• Weak - not flexible - easily injured
• There is a genetic predisposition involved with
  back pain. If your
• parents have a back condition you are likely to
  have back problems.
• True
• False
• Statistically, what percentage of people with low
  back pain are
• successfully treated without surgery?
• 30
• 50
• 70

• Prolonged bed rest is
• The primary recommended
• treatment for back pain.
• Not the recommended
• treatment for back pain.
• Which of the following is recommended for
  preventing recurring episodes
• of back pain?
• Lift by bending at the knees, not bending from
  the waist.
• Sleep on your side with knees drawn up.
• Regular exercise
• All of the above
• None of the above
• The backbone is a stack of how many jointed bones
  (vertebrae)?
• 14
• 24
• 34
• Most back pain is located in

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QUIZ ANSWERS

• Pain in the lower back is the leading cause of
  work-related
• disability.
• True
• False
• In spinal stenosis, the spinal canal, which
  contains and protects the
• spinal cord and nerve roots, narrows and pinches
  the spinal cord
• and nerves. The result is low back pain as well
  as pain in the legs.
• Which is not a possible cause of spinal stenosis?
• Aging
• Heredity
• Changes in blood flow to the lumbar spine.
• Good posture
• Which statement is true?
• Xrays show alignment of your bones.
• MRI and CAT scans can detect herniated discs, or
  problems with bones, muscles, tissues, tendons,
• ligaments, nerves, blood vessels.
• Bone scan can detect tumors, or compression
  fractures.

• Which of the following are popular complementary
  treatments for
• chronic back pain?
• Chiropractic care
• Massage
• Acupuncture
• Heat
• All of the above
• None of the above
• Compression fractures in the bones of the back
  result from
• Osteosarcoma
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Osteopenia
• Which of the following can contribute to back
  pain?
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Obesity
• Strenuous sports