Are You Having Lower Back Pain or Spine Problem?

Did you ever experience backache when picking up a pencil from the floor? Or after long hours of improper standing or sitting?

You are not alone if you have lower back pain.

Most people experience a back problem at some time in our lives.

Recent studies in Malaysia have shown that the incidence of low back pain was found to be around 12% in semi-rural community whereas there was a much higher prevalence which around 60% in a population at risk such as commercial vehicle drivers. It is the most common occupational diseases problem and a leading contributor to missed working days. The lower back pain becomes a serious problem when it disturbs your normal daily activity or working.

The low back pain affects in short or long term. Most back pain heals spontaneously and this may probably due to ligament or muscle sprain. While chronic back pain can persists for 12 weeks or longer. It needs proper clinical management on chronic lower back pain.

In many cases, low back pain may due to spine disorders including spine adhesion, scoliosis, disc herniation, degeneration of discs and bone spur.

As we all know, human spine is the main artery of nerve system besides protecting our central nerve and nerve endings. It is the frame of human body which allows all kinds of movement and articulation. It also helps in generating red blood cell.

Our intervertebral disc divided into four parts which are cervical vertebrae (7 units), thoracic vertebrae (12 units), lumbar vertebrae (5 units) and sacral vertebrae. They are made up of Nucleus Pulposus and Annulus Fibrosus.

[Image: http://www.spineuniverse.com/]

Spine disorder could probably affect almost all body organs of us.

Thus, it is very important for us to preserve and maintain our spine health.

What is spine disorder?

Spine disorder basically is due to spine injury or slipped disc which can cause the spine to lose its balance. Slipped disc leads to compression or pulling at nerves, blood vessels and sympathetic nerves system. This would indirectly affect normal body function and causes bone pain and internal organ disease.

What happen if mild dislocation of cervical vertebrae occurs?

Cause compression to our nerve and blood vessels. This prevent dilation of blood vessels and gradually worsen the blood circulation which in turns can lead to acute and chronic headache, migraine, inner ear fluid imbalance and other diseases.

What happen if dislocation of lumbar vertebrae and cervical vertebrae occur?

Cause imbalance of lumbar vertebrae which will then lead to compression to blood vessels and nerves, impairs the blood circulation and cause sciatic nerve pain, tiredness and numbness.

What happen if spinal disc degenerate?

Disc degeneration is due to aging and poor posture. This would lead to the loss of inner content in disc (decrease in water, hyaluronic acid, proteoglycan, collagen and glycosaminoglycans) and the disc will lack of elasticity. In this case, outer pressure exerts a compression force towards disc. The disc tensed and hardens for long periods of time and bone spur is formed. The pain generates due to compression of spinal disc and formation of bone spur.

[Image: http://www.spineuniverse.com/]

The Symptoms of Spinal Problem

The causes of spine problem:

Aging
Trauma
Diseases
Injury from work/ Overwork
Improper posture
Overweight
Lack of exercise/ Over exercise

Low back pain especially chronic disorder need to be managed in order to achieve healthy body.

Management of Low Back Pain

Activity medication
Medication
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Patient education
Prevention programme
Smoking cessation (where appropriate)
Weight loss programme (when indicated)
Assistive devices/ orthosis (when indicated)

(Source: Malaysian Low back Pain Management Guideline- First Edition)

Tips to Prevent Back Pain

Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
Remain active—under the supervision of your doctor of chiropractic.
Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest.
Warm up or stretch before exercising or other physical activities, such as gardening.
Maintain proper posture.
Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
Sleep on a mattress of medium firmness to minimize any curve in your spine.
Lift with your knees, keep the object close to your body, and do not twist when lifting.
Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow, resulting in oxygen and nutrient deprivation to spinal tissues.
Work with your doctor of chiropractic to ensure that your computer workstation is ergonomically correct.