The Holistic Approach to Back Pain and its Possible Causes

Back Pain is a very broad subject simply because of its diversity. It covers a large area of the body. So let us take it step by step.

I'll start with the Lower Back because that is probably the most common and often the most abused. You will have to forgive me if I bring in some ancient terminologies. They are terms that were used to describe certain conditions in my younger days.

Probably one of the most common causes of lower back pain is Disc Degeneration. This is where the fibrous material separating the Vertebrae becomes damaged.

Degeneration can be caused by lifting heavy weights, Sports injury such as a heavy tackle and Aging.

Damage can also be caused by something as simple as bending over to tie shoe laces or pick up a small object off the floor.

The most commonly affected Disc is the Intervertebral Disc between L4 and L5 of the Lumbar Spine. The condition was often referred to as Lumbago.

The discs and area I am referring to can be seen in these images.

Muscular Trauma or strain is also common in this area. The Lower Back muscle is possibly one of the most often injured in workplace accidents not necessarily involving machinery.

The worker hurriedly lifts something awkwardly instead of taking time to get into position where the lift can be carried out safely. A few seconds saved, in this case, leads to weeks off work, not forgetting the pain and

suffering.

This type of injury happens to Farm Workers more so than other workers. The injury usually occurs where there is associated machinery. Time is often critical. It would have been much safer to stop the machine, correct the problem and then proceed. A classic case of "More Haste - Less Speed".

Images courtesy of BalmainSports Physiotherapy.

Common Lumbar Spine injuries causing Back Pain

In times gone by Fibrositis was the Term given to Muscular injury of this area. Today it is simply called Muscle Strain.

Of course there are many causes of back pain. That is why The Holistic approach is necessary.

Remember what I said about "Referred Pain"?

When you consult a doctor for back pain he will always ask lots of questions and try to track down the cause of the pain. If the Pain you are experiencing can be pinpointed to a specific local area by touch and feel it is most likely coming from a Disc.

If, however, the pain is more generalized it could be something else altogether. If the discomfort is confined to a small general area, then it is possibly Muscular.

If your pain is covering a wide area and you are not able to pinpoint it to a localized area then we have a more serious problem. In this case the pain could well be coming from some Internal Organ such as Kidneys. Your doctor will then carry out tests to determine the cause.

I will cover Kidney problems elsewhere.

There are more conditions of the lower back which cause, in some cases, severe pain and loss of mobility. A notorious one of these occurs when a disc prolapses and touches the Sciatic Nerve.

The Sciatic Nerve is the largest nerve in the body, measuring approximately 25 millimeters wide and is connected to a large area extending down the legs to the feet. If this nerve becomes irritated pain can be felt anywhere in the body from the lower back, hip area and all the way down the legs.

This condition is commonly referred to as Sciatica. You may experience, numbness, tingling (pins and needles) in the muscles or in the toes. If the nerve is pinched severe pain will be felt in that area. Usually most pain is felt in the lower back just below the hip and in toward the spine, the Sacroiliac Joint. The condition is extremely painful.

Holistic treatment is possibly the most effective. Chiropractic treatment tends to provide good relief. T.E.N.S is useful in providing temporary relief of the symptoms. Long term, the holistic approach will help control the situation and provide a degree of protection from further attacks.