Low Back pain syndrome

Lower back pain is one of the most common conditions & usually is a symptom that may occur from a variety of different processes. Back pain can have many underlying reasons, but often no specific cause will be found and the pain will stop. Low back pain is second only to the common cold as a cause of lost days at work. Many disorders within the abdomen, such as appendicitis, aneurysms, kidney diseases, kidney infection, bladder infections, pelvic infections, and ovarian disorders, among others, can cause pain referred to the back. Low back pain is the result of a strenuous physical lifestyle, but it is treatable if consulted early. It is important to understand the root of the problem, which could be contributed to by various factors. Disorders in the abdominal area, such as appendicitis, kidney and bladder infections, tumors’ and pelvic infections may also cause severe low back pain. Nerve root impingement, as seen in sciatica, and bulging of the disc between bones in the lower spine can also cause sharp and lingering pain. Infections of bones, tumors, and inflammation of spinal nerves are other common causes of low back pain. There are a few sign & symptoms of low back pain. Pain in the lumbar sacral area (lower part of the back) is the primary symptom of low back pain. The pain may radiate down the front, side, or back of your leg, or it may be confined to the low back. Occasionally, the pain may be worse at night or with prolonged sitting such as on a long car trip or repetitive heavy lifting & repetitive stress (repetitive work such as people who work in factory). Patient may have numbness or weakness in the part of the leg that receives its nerve supply from a compressed nerve. This can cause an inability to plantar flex the foot which means patient unable to stand on toes or bring foot downward.

It has long been thought that exercise and an all-around healthy lifestyle would prevent back pain. Several studies have found that the wrong type of exercise such as high-impact activities may increase the chance of suffering back pain. Other than that, abdominal crunches can also performed properly, strengthen abdominal muscles and may decrease the tendency to suffer back pain. Also, pelvic tilt also helps alleviate tight back muscles. Lumbar support belt frequently use by individual that do heavy lifting. Don't lift objects that are too heavy for you. If you attempt to lift something, keep your back straight up and down, head up, and lift with your knees. Woman that wears high heel have high tendency to have lower back pain. For sitting, chairs of appropriate height for the task at hand with good lumbar support are preferable.

prepared by mohd nur ariff(13b)