5 Reasons for Lower Back Pain

1. Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease

This condition is phased from phase I to IV, there is a lifetime incidence reported of between 60% and 9%. The causes can vary, some people can identify one specific traumatic event (usually involving forced flexion and/or rotation) while others describe a more spontaneous onset. The symptoms are usually isolated to the low lumbar region and buttocks. There can be some referral of pain into the thoracic region and the lower limbs. Classic disk pain is aggravated by loading the disk through activities such as standing from a seated position, flexing forwards or by coughing and sneezing.

What can I do to relieve the symptoms of Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease?

Whilst you wait for one of our team to get in touch with you initial treatment should involve relative rest, restricting occupational activities to help to ease the pain. It is not advised however to rest for longer that 48 hours as no benefit has been shown for an extended rest time. Ice can be used to provide an analgesic relief, applying it for 20 min every hour where possible.

2. Spondylolisthesis

This is when one of the vertebrae slips out of position, it is most common in the lower back however can happen anywhere in the spine. This condition can be asymptomatic or cause symptoms such as; stiffness or tenderness in the lumbar region, low back pain which is aggravated by activity and standing for extended periods of time, pain numbess and tingling in the legs similar to sciatic pain. There are a variety of causes for this condition ranging from birth defects to trauma (either repetitive or one catastrophic event)

What can I do to relieve the symptoms of my Spondylolisthesis?

Whilst you wait for one of our team to get in touch with you initial treatment should involve a period of rest from aggravating actitives and ice to the affected area of the back.

3. Lumbar Facet Syndrome

This is a dysfunction within one of the joints of the spine. It is the result of a painful irritation of the back of the lumbar spine. Pain is caused as a result of the swelling in the area irritating the nerve roots. Microtears in the capsules of the joints as a result of trauma can result in the subluxation of the joint. One result of this is the mass contraction of all the muscles surrounding the joint which causes an elevated level of pain. The microtears come as a result of repetitive trauma, especially those who work in extension a lot of those who work over head.

What can I do to relieve the symptoms of my Lumbar Facet Syndrome?

Whilst you wait for one of our team to get in touch with you initial treatment will be aimed at pain relief. Finding a comfortable position, usually flexed, and applying ice for 20 minutes every hour where possible.

4. Lumbar Compression Fracture

Either a complete or partial interruption of the bone, these fractures usually occur as the result of osteoporosis or trauma with 60-75% of them occurring at the L1 segment. The sufferer will often describe a sudden onset of back pain that increases during standing and walking and reduces when lying on their back. There will be limitation in the ange of movement available to the lumbar spine and sneezing and coughing will be painful.

What can I do to relieve the symptoms of a Lumbar Compression Fracture?

Whilst you wait for one of our team to get in touch with you initial treatment will be aimed at pain relief. Applying ice for 20 minutes every hour where possible will provide you with an analgesic affect. Supplementation to help with bone density is also a sensible idea.

5. Coccyx Pain

Also sometime referred to as coccygodynia, presents with disabling pain in and around the coccyx. This can be provoked by sitting or in the transition from sitting to standing and vice versa. The pain, often described as a “pulling pain” can radiate up the back into the sacrum and lumbar spine or around the buttocks. It rarely radiates into the thighs. The cause is most ofter as the result of a traumatic event directly to the coccyx, for example falling onto it. However may have nontraumatic roots for example, anatomical abnormalities of the coccyx or from giving birth.

What can I do to relieve the symptoms of Coccygodynia?

Whilst you wait for one of our team to get in touch with you, you should avoid any aggravating factors. It would also be wise to invest in a doughnut shaped pillow when you know you have to stay seated for a long period of time