Back Pain Treatment and Specialist in Singapore
What is Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is pain or stiffness in the part of the back below the rib cage and above the hip. In this part of the body, called the lumbar spine, there are vertebrae, discs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves that support the body and let it move in different ways.
Lower back pain can be either acute or chronic. Acute pain usually goes away quickly, while chronic pain lasts for a long time. Lower back pain is often caused by sprains, strains, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and other diseases that affect the spine's structures.
Common Causes Of Back Pain
Mechanical problems:
Back pain could be caused due to the way your spine moves or when you move your spine in certain ways. The most common mechanical cause of back pain is intervertebral disc degeneration.
Age:
Pain caused when the discs located between the vertebrae of the spine are breaking down with age.
Injuries:
Injuries to the spine such as sprains and fractures can cause short-term pain or chronic back pain.
Conditions and diseases:
Chronic back pain can be caused because of conditions such as scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, various forms of arthritis, spinal stenosis, pregnancy, and more.
Infections and tumours:
Infections like osteomyelitis and tumours can cause back pain, however, they are not common causes.
Common Symptoms Of Back Pain
- Persistent aching or stiffness in
your spine that involves the base
of the neck or the tail bone - Difficulty to stand straight owing to pain
or muscle spasms in the lower back. - Sharp pain in the neck, upper back, or lower
back. This is usually caused after lifting heavy
objects or engaging in other demanding
activities. - Chronic ache in the middle or lower back,
caused after sitting or standing for long
periods - Pain that radiates from the low back to the buttocks,
back of the thigh, and into the calf muscles and toes
How to Prevent Lower Back Pain
Preventing lower back pain involves adopting healthy habits and making lifestyle choices that support the well-being of your spine. Here are some tips to help prevent lower back pain:
Maintain a Healthy Weight:
The lower back can hurt if you are overweight. A reasonable diet and regular exercise will help you stay at a healthy weight, which will make your spine less stressed.
Exercise Regularly:
Do exercises that make your core muscles stronger. These are the muscles in your lower back and belly. Walking, swimming, and yoga are all good forms of exercise.
Practice Good Posture:
Be mindful of your posture, whether sitting, standing, or lifting. Maintain a neutral spine position, and use ergonomic furniture and tools to support good posture. When lifting objects, bend at the knees and hips rather than at the waist. Keep the object close to your body, and use your legs to lift rather than relying on your back muscles.
Avoid Prolonged Sitting:
If you work at a desk, make sure you take breaks from sitting for long periods of time. To keep from getting stiff and lower your risk of back pain, stand up, stretch, and move around often.
Quit Smoking:
Smoking can contribute to disc degeneration, which may increase the risk of lower back pain. Quitting smoking can have positive effects on your overall health, including your spine.
Stay Hydrated:
Drink an adequate amount of water to keep your intervertebral discs well-hydrated. Dehydration can contribute to disc degeneration and increase the risk of lower back pain.
When to seek help for Back pain?
- Severe
- Continuous and persistent
- Inability to do day-to-day activities
- Inability to lift heavy objects
- Pain radiating to the thigh area
Treatments for Lower Back Pain
Most of the time, conservative treatments for lower back pain include rest, physical therapy, exercise, pain medicines, and in some cases, surgery for problems that are worse or last longer. For an accurate evaluation and the right treatment based on the cause of the lower back pain, it's important to talk to a medical expert.
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