Lumbar pain will at some point, affect the majority of us. According to a statistic from the CDC, more than 85% of Americans will experience some form of back pain in their lifetime. Similar to other conditions, back pain does affect more people over the age of 65 than those that are younger. That statistic, however, is changing steadily. More and more we are seeing people under the age of 40 suffering from chronic back pain.
Back pain falls into two primary categories: Acute, and Chronic. The difference between the two kinds of back pain is very distinct, and the causes are also distinctly different. Let's take a look at the two.
Acute pain in the lumbar region is rapid onset, and short lived. Most often it is the result of hypertension due to strenuous activities like sports, hiking, or heavy lifting. Acute lumbar pain can last for a few days, or in worst case scenarios a few weeks. If it does last more than 72 hours, it is recommended at that point to seek medical attention.
Chronic back pain can have several causes, ranging from permanent back injury, to spinal misalignment. What defines lumbar pain as chronic is pain lasting more than 3 months. Chronic Back pain will almost always require medical attention in order for the symptoms to be alleviated. It is not recommended to ignore chronic back pain, as this can lead to it becoming worse
For most cases of lumbar pain, the source or cause can be traced back to a person's job. If you are working a job that involves lifting, pulling, or twisting then this is most likely the cause of your back pain. Or perhaps you work at a desk, and sit in a chair all day. If this is this case, then it is possible that poor sitting posture could be responsible for causing lumbar pain.
If you attend school, or work a job that requires you to carry a briefcase, it may be time to look at lightening the load. While an over the shoulder bag, pack, or briefcase may be hanging on your shoulder, it is still your back that is carrying the brunt of the weight. If your bag is loaded down with too many things, making it too heavy, then you are putting strain on your back. Take the time to evaluate what you actually need that day, and pack or remove items accordingly.
In America particularly, we are seeing an increase of younger and younger people suffering from back pain. The culprit? Weight. Being overweight, or even obese puts massive strain on your spine. The human body is not designed to carry weight distributed that way, so the spine has to compensate, and it leads to serious posture misalignment. The solution to this is simple, but takes time, and it is merely dropping the excess weight.
The spine is supported by a series of elastic and gel-like discs that can become weakened with strain and age. Just like any other part of the body, the more stress is placed on these discs, especially with age, they become weakened. A weakened disc can rupture or herniate much more easily than a strong disc. This is the cause for one of the most painful forms of chronic lumbar pain, and can only be treated with proper medical attention.
For some cases of lumbar pain, the most effective treatment is physical therapy. A physical therapist can help you to strengthen your back muscles through a rehabilitation program designed to rebuild your lumbar structure without straining your back.
This is a more drastic measure, and can be a costly one. For some cases of lumbar pain, specifically distinct types of chronic pain, this is only option to completely relieve the pain, by stopping it at its source.
A prescription medical brace can offer almost immediate pain relief to many kinds of lumbar pain. It is important that the brace be prescription, as over the counter braces can sometimes do more damage that good. Prescription braces can also sometimes be used as a part of physical therapy.
In more serious circumstances, a doctor may recommend prescription pain medication. This is a n effective way to alleviate back pain. This method, however, can have some drawbacks and should not be used long term.
