Lower Back Pain Understanding
Strains and injuries are very likely to occur as this is the area in your back that endures a lot of twisting, tension and weight over the years.
Strains and injuries are very likely to occur as this is the area in your back that endures a lot of twisting, tension and weight over the years.
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<strong>Understanding</strong><br />
and<br />
Treating <strong>Lower</strong> <strong>Back</strong> <strong>Pain</strong>
<strong>Understanding</strong><br />
and<br />
Treating <strong>Lower</strong> <strong>Back</strong> <strong>Pain</strong>
<strong>Lower</strong> back pain usually takes place when the<br />
muscles in this area become weak or injured.
The most common cause is muscle strain, but there<br />
are other possible culprits as well such as
Falling
Sudden Movement
Prolonged sitting
Obesity
You have large and complex groups<br />
of muscles that work together to<br />
help support your spine and keep<br />
your body upright.<br />
These muscles also allow you to<br />
twist, bend and move your body in<br />
many different directions.
Therefore, these muscles<br />
are vital for a proper<br />
posture and mobility.
The three groups of muscles located in your lower back are the<br />
flexor, extensor and iliopsoas muscles, and below are their<br />
corresponding purpose.
Flexor Muscles<br />
As the name suggests,<br />
flexor muscles allow you<br />
to bend forward, flex, lift<br />
and arch your back.<br />
These muscles are<br />
attached to the<br />
abdominal walls and to<br />
the front of the spine.
Extensor Muscles<br />
The extensor muscles are<br />
the largest muscles in<br />
your lower back. They are<br />
composed of many<br />
smaller muscle groups<br />
important in<br />
straightening, bending<br />
and erecting your spine
Extensor Muscles<br />
Apart from this, the<br />
extensor muscles assist<br />
you with spine rotations<br />
and aid you in standing<br />
and lifting objects.
Iliopsoas Muscles<br />
The iliopsoas muscles help<br />
the spine rotate and the<br />
pelvis bend and flex. These<br />
muscles also help maintain<br />
balance and correct<br />
posture while standing up.
Iliopsoas Muscles<br />
The iliopsoas are located<br />
on each side of the lower<br />
back, attached to the<br />
vertebrae of the spine,<br />
and inside the pelvis.
What are the causes of lower back pain?
There are many underlying causes of lower back pain.<br />
Strains and injuries are very likely to occur as this is the area in your<br />
back that endures a lot of twisting, tension and weight over the<br />
years.
If you do not maintain healthy and strong muscles, you are exposing<br />
yourself to the risk of injuries.
Here are other common causes of lower back<br />
pain.
Lifting Heavy Objects<br />
When your muscles aren’t strong enough and you lift heavy objects<br />
incorrectly, this can lead to muscle strains.
To avoid this type of incident from happening to you, you have to<br />
learn the proper techniques for lifting heavy objects, such as<br />
bending your knees and not rounding your back.
Playing Sports<br />
Sports such as football, soccer, basketball or hockey are some of the<br />
physical activities that can cause the most wear and tear to your<br />
back muscles.
This is why professional athletes need to undergo strength training –<br />
it helps them withstand the constant physical stress on their back<br />
caused by playing sports.
A Fall or A Recent Trauma<br />
In the event of a trauma or accident, there are instances wherein<br />
pain does not manifest itself right away. It is common that the<br />
aftermath of a recent trauma can be felt days after the accident.
If you have been involved with a certain casualty lately and the pain<br />
has just started to kick in, see a doctor right away.
Poor Posture<br />
Poor posture, whether you are standing, sitting or sleeping, forces<br />
your muscles to work extra hard just to keep your body upright.
This places excess tension and stress on your lower back muscles<br />
and can cause pain in the long term.
Obesity or Overweightness<br />
Being obese or overweight also has dire consequences on your<br />
back health, not just your general health.
Excess weight puts extra pressure not just on your muscles but on<br />
your spine as well.
This is the reason why many overweight people suffer from poor<br />
posture. And when posture is poor, it also puts a lot of stress on<br />
your back.
How can I fix my back pain issues?
Most back problems resolve on their own<br />
overtime after treatment is applied. Typically,<br />
it takes more or less two weeks for your<br />
condition to improve.<br />
But to help speed up your recovery, here are<br />
other treatments you can use to remedy<br />
lower back pain.
Take muscle relaxants prescribed<br />
by your physician
Take anti-inflammatory supplements<br />
to reduce pain and swelling
Get a massage to promote blood flow<br />
and speed up recovery
Practice some strength exercises and<br />
stretching to tone and loosen up the muscles
Apply warm and cold compresses to reduce<br />
swelling
If you are overweight, try to lose the extra<br />
pounds
With proper treatment and pain resolution techniques,<br />
you can alleviate back pain in just two weeks
But if the pain has not subsided after a month, it is best to see<br />
your doctor or a specialist to determine whether or not there<br />
are other underlying causes that you should be worried<br />
about.
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