Pain or discomfort in the lower portion of our back and the spinal column is a common phenomenon and can be largely attributed to our changing lifestyles. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area. Treatment of low back pain is optimally directed toward a diagnosed or suspected specific cause. For acute lumbar strain, use of a home remedy initially can be beneficial.
Bad posture is another big contributor to back pain. You start your day with good posture but gradually end up slumping, sprawling or hunching when your body gets tired. Monitoring posture can turn into a full-time job, but there are some simple ways to make small changes in your body position. Wrong posture or inadequate exercise is most often the cause of the pain in the lower spinal column. The treatment of such a pain can vary from a simple over the counter medicine to surgery depending on the severity and the cause.
Back Pain Problems
Back pain is a common problem, can be chronic, but often goes away as quickly as its onset. The back pain that occurs after a night of sleep on a bad mattress. As long as your next night is on a better mattress your problems are likely to be resolved.
A persistent ache in the lower back. Shooting pains down the legs. Muscles so tight you can’t even stand up straight. For the more than 65 million Americans who suffer from low back pain every year, the symptoms come in different forms, but the problem is frequently the same: a nerve root near the spine is irritated. In about 90 percent of all low back pain cases, a nerve that travels from the spinal cord through the bones of the spine gets pinched or irritated, the muscles tense up and the patient experiences low back pain. The solution depends on why the nerve is irritated in the first place.
The spinal column is an intricate network of nerves, discs and bones. The spinal cord begins in the brain and is protected by the spinal column as it runs most of the way down the back. Every movement and function of the body is controlled by the spinal cord. Motor nerves lead out of the spinal cord to control movement in the body while sensory nerves enter into the spinal cord communicating messages from the body back to the brain. Together, the motor and sensory nerves form more than 50 nerve roots, which run through holes, called foramina, in the bones of the spinal column. Each one of these nerve roots has the potential to become irritated and cause back pain.
Back Pain Exercises
Exercise is one of the most effective ways of preventing and treating recurring or chronic back pain. Strengthening muscles that support the spine with exercises can prevent, reduce and in some cases eliminate lower back pain.
Weak core muscles are often at the root of lower back pain. The muscles of the back, the abdomen, hips and buttocks (the core muscles) work together to support the spine. The core muscles are the spine’s main defense against gravity.
Stretching is another aspect of lower back pain exercises. This type of work-out has been proven to make the supporting muscles more flexible and, therefore, enhance their resistance to pain and also make them less vulnerable to injuries. Stretching shortened muscles that are pulling the spine out of alignment can also relieve lower back pain. You only need 5 to 10 minutes of stretching daily and the reward could be immediate; however, when you stretch, do it gently and totally concentrated, like feeling every single muscle being stretched; otherwise, the outcome won’t be so impressive.
Another type of lower back pain exercises with increasing popularity is the one that includes yoga. Yoga can strongly benefit your strength and flexibility provided you do not suffer from a type of spinal injury. It is also ideal for reinforcing weak muscles, thus making them less prone to injuries, while granting your back area with proper balance, resulting in notable relief from the pain in your back, and performing miracles in strengthening your spine and core.
