Lower Back Pain
Mechanical and Radicular
Types of Pain
Mechanical- more common pain primarily from the muscles, ligaments, joints, or bones in and around the spine. This type of pain tends to be localized to the lower back, buttocks, and sometimes the top of the legs.
Radicular- This type of pain can occur if a spinal nerve root becomes impinged or inflamed. Radicular pain may follow a nerve root pattern or dermatome down into the buttock and/or leg. Its specific sensation is sharp, electric, burning-type pain and can be associated with numbness or weakness. It is typically felt on only one side of the body.
Risk Factors
- Lack of regular exercise
- Excess Weight
- Poor posture
- Unhealthy diet
- Spinal stenosis: narrowing of spinal cord space, puts pressure on the spinal nerves
Symptoms
- Pain that is dull or achy, contained to the low back
- Stinging, burning pain moving from low back to thighs
- Sometimes pain in the lower legs or feet;
- Numbness or tingling (sciatica)
- Muscle spasms or tightness in low back, pelvis, and hips
- Pain that worsens after prolonged sitting or standing
- Difficulty standing up straight or walking
- Difficulty going from standing to sitting
Prevention
Quit Smoking
Regular Exercise
Careful Lifting
Healthy Diet
Better Posture
Stretching
Treatments
Heat or Ice Therapy
Short Rest Period
Activity Modification
Over the Counter Meds (Aspirin, Advil)
Prevention
