Low Back Pain

Low back pain refers to pain or discomfort in the lower back. Low back pain may involve the muscles, joints, or nerves of the lower back. It may also be referred pain, which means the pain is actually coming from another organ, such as the kidneys.

Causes
Low back pain may be caused by a number of spinal disorders. Following are some common causes:

• fibromyalgia, a condition that causes trigger points in body tissues, including the low back
• osteomyelitis, or bone infection
• ruptured disks, which involve the soft disks between the vertebrae of the spine
• spinal degeneration, which may involve arthritis
• spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the disk spaces with aging
• sprains or strains of the muscles and other soft tissue in the back
• tumors of the spine

Treatment
Low back pain caused by strains or sprains will get better on its own within four weeks, with or without treatment. People with more serious conditions, such as a ruptured disk, would benefit from treatment. A ruptured disk is generally treated conservatively at first. Following are some initial treatments that may be used:

• anti-inflammatory pain medication, such as ibuprofen
• activity limitations
• application of heat
• massage
• electrotherapy
• acupuncture
• Pilates
• muscle relaxants, such as carisoprodol
• a specialized exercise program

For more information please call 020 8455 7809 or email us on info@igophysio.co.uk

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