Lower Back Pain Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Lower back pain or low back pain or is a condition when the back hurts so much that it hinders daily activities.
The pain appears in the lower back, starting from the waist area to the folds under the buttocks. However, this pain does not radiate to the leg area.
Low back pain is more likely to occur in people aged 30-50 years. This can be caused by changes that occur in the body with age.
As you get older, there is less fluid between the vertebrae. Discs in the spine become more easily irritated.
Increasing age also increases the risk of losing some muscles, making the back more susceptible to injury and back pain.
This condition can be prevented by maintaining good posture, controlling your weight to keep it ideal, and exercising regularly.
Also, avoid sitting for too long and lifting heavy objects with the wrong posture. Here’s a full explanation.
Symptom
Typical back pain symptoms include:
- Lower back pain/ache
- Pain radiates to the leg
- Stinging pain, heat and tingling
- Restricted movement of the waist
Reason
There are several things that can trigger and cause low back pain, namely:
- Problems with muscles and ligaments
- Problems with the disc (the soft and spongy tissue that cushions the bones in the spine), such as a bulging disc in the vertebrae
- Degenerative disease
- Joint dysfunction
- Abnormalities of the spine, such as spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis
- Osteoarthritis
- traumatized
- Infection
- Malignancy
- Autoimmune disease
- Disturbances in certain organs, such as in the kidneys, reproductive organs, or digestive system
Risk Factors
Things that can increase your risk of lower back pain include:
- People over the age of 30 are more prone to experiencing back pain. Discus will wear out with age. As the disc weakens and wears down, pain and stiffness can occur
- People who are overweight are more likely to experience back pain. The reason is, being overweight will put pressure on the joints and discs
- Lower back pain during pregnancy is common. This is because the body’s fulcrum during pregnancy changes, accompanied by hormonal changes and weight gain
- Have a posture disorder, such as scoliosis
- Psychological disorders, including stress, depression, and anxiety
- Rarely exercise
- Have a job that requires a lot of bending, sitting, and lifting heavy objects
- Often wear high heels
- Lifting heavy weights in an inappropriate position, or twisting the spine when lifting heavy objects
- Bad posture habits over time
- Sudden movements that put a lot of pressure on the lower back, such as falling
- Sports injuries, especially sports that involve twisting or large impact forces
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of low back pain can be made by a doctor through medical interviews and a series of physical examinations of the patient.
In addition, there are also supporting examinations that can be carried out, such as:
- Exposure to X-rays (X-rays)
- Examination of structures and organs in the body
- Blood test
- Bone examination
- Nerve examination
Treatment
Once the diagnosis has been established, the doctor will usually recommend several low back pain medications.
The following are ways to deal with lower back pain that can be recommended.
1. Pain Reliever Drugs
Severe low back pain usually requires pain relievers, such as NSAIDs. Medicines can be in the form of ointments or drinking tablets.
2. Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants can help with muscle stiffness due to overwork. This drug can be used if your lower back pain is also accompanied by muscle spasms.
3. Narcotic Drugs and Antidepressants
The use of narcotic drugs and also antidepressants (tranquilizers) requires close supervision from a doctor.
Typically, these medications are only used for short periods. Narcotics and antidepressants can be used to help relieve very severe low back pain.
4. Physiotherapy and Physical Exercise
Physiotherapy with the use of heat, electrical stimulation (electrical therapy), and or ultrasonic waves can also help treat low back pain.
If the pain has been resolved, physiotherapy can be continued with special exercises to increase the strength and flexibility of the patient’s back muscles.
5. Spinal Surgery
In severe cases, for example, a pinched nerve that doesn’t get better with treatment or structural abnormalities of the spine, the doctor may suggest spinal surgery options.
Doctors perform surgery to correct abnormalities in the nerves and spine.
6. Acupuncture
In addition to the methods above, acupuncture therapy is also believed to help treat low back pain.
However, the results are believed to be better if acupuncture is also combined with physiotherapy and drugs.
Prevention
Don’t want to suffer from lower back pain? You can apply several ways to prevent lower back pain.
- Maintain proper posture, both at work and at rest. This aims to minimize pressure on the spine and intervertebral discs
- Exercise regularly three times a week, for at least about 30 minutes. This is good for strengthening the muscles, so they can stabilize and support the spine.
Consult a professional as there are special moves for this purpose.
- Lifting or carrying heavy objects in a good and correct body position. Try to lean more on your feet, not your back
Complications
Low back pain that is not treated properly can lead to a number of complications, including:
- Chronic pain or discomfort
- Barriers to daily activities
- Bedrest for a long time. In fact, too long bed rest can trigger other complications, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Permanent physical disability
- Permanent nerve damage (due to a pinched nerve), including paralysis
- Physiological and psychological responses to chronic pain
- Poor quality of life
When to See a Doctor?
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:
- Back pain doesn’t get better or even gets worse to the point of hindering your daily activities
- Sudden disturbance of the intestines and bladder
- Back pain triggers a sensation of numbness, followed by weakness in the limbs, and tingling in other areas of the body.
- Lower back pain causes a decrease in fine motor skills. One of them is characterized by difficulty moving
- Pain that is unbearable to trigger disturbances in the neck. You may have to bend over when you move