What is Back Pain?
Back Pain, lumbago, backache are all the same thing. Often though there is not simply pain but other symptoms aswell. The pain felt in the back, usually originates from the muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons, disc’s, bones and joints or other structures associated with the spine (e.g. Viscera). It is pain or discomfort in the area above your buttocks and below your ribs. However other areas such as the buttocks, groin, and legs can also be affected.
What does it feel like?
Back pain (serious or non-serious) is a common problem that affects most people at some point in their lifetime. It usually feels like an ache, tension or stiffness in your back. It can also be sharp, acute and affect the pelvis, groin, buttocks, and legs. Also, see our section on sciatica.
Symptoms can occur in other areas such as the buttocks, groin, hips, thigh and legs(sciatica) and feet. Problems in the spine can also cause symptoms such a trapped nerve. This causes pins and needles. symptoms also include pain or ‘a toothache’ in the leg and numbness in the leg or foot.
What causes it?
It can be triggered by a myriad of different things, such as bad posture whilst sitting or standing, bending awkwardly, slipping over or lifting incorrectly. It can also be caused after an accident or because you have weak back muscles or poor muscle tone/balance.
Symptoms can also be made worse by physical and emotional stress.
There are also medical conditions such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), Ankylosing Spondylitis, and arthritis to name a few that will cause back pain.
These conditions are however much less common but also need to be diagnosed.
How is Back Pain treated?
Understanding how the body is affected and has adapted allows for effective treatment. Treatment focuses on restoring joint fuction and range of movement, and improving muscle tone, stability and balance. It also includes rehabilitation exercises and general advice of how to improve and care for your back.
