Back pain is a problem that affects more than 80 percent of all adults at some point in their lifetimes. In Greenbelt, most missed work days are as a result of some form of discomfort in the back. Research has determined that both men and women are affected equally by back pain. The pains range in intensity from dull constant aches to sudden, sharp sensations that render sufferers incapacitated. For the sake of this article, the abbreviation CBP will be used for chronic back pain.
Any discomfort in the back region, which persists for more than three months is classified as CBP. The classification holds if any possible underlying cause has been diagnosed and treated. Up to twenty percent of all acute pain back cases develop into CBP. Surgical and medical intervention are the main treatment options for this condition and they work in most cases, but not always.
CPB characteristically occurs in the lumbar region within the five vertebrae of the lower back region. This region is the one responsible for supporting the upper part of the body. Movement and other bodily actions result into shock, pressure, and friction in the vertebrae discs. The intervertebral discs function to absorb the shock and minimize friction. Ligaments are available to maintain the vertebrae in place. Signals from the spinal cord are transmitted to the brain by a total of 31 pairs of nerves.
The main causes of this condition usually have a mechanical element. For example, aging causes natural wear and tear to the spine, which becomes progressively painful. Additional causes for the condition include intervertebral degeneration, radiculopathy, sprains and strains, traumatic injury, skeletal irregularities, sciatica, and herniated or ruptured discs.
Sprains and strains are the main cause of this medical condition in most people. Sprains occur when the ligaments in the vertebrae are overstretched or torn. On the other hand, strains are caused by tearing of muscles or tendons. Both strains and sprains may be caused by overstretching, lifting or twisting something improperly, or lifting too much weight. Spasms may also be triggered by such events, causing a lot of pain.
When the spinal nerve root is injured, inflamed and/or compressed, it causes a condition called radiculopathy. The exertion of pressure onto nerve roots causes numbness, pains, or tingling sensation, which radiates to other regions of the body that are served by the nerve. The pressure may result from herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Sports, car accidents, and falls may injure muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the back, causing CBP. Intervertebral discs are usually herniated or ruptured as a result of excessive compression caused by traumatic injury. Nerve roots are in turn pressured by herniated discs, resulting into pain. Irregularities in the skeleton include congenital anomalies such as scoliosis and lordosis. Scoliosis only manifests in middle aged people. It is caused by presence of a curvature in the spinal cord.
There is also a number of serious underlying medical conditions that may cause CPB even though this is not very common. The conditions include infections, tumors, abdominal aortic aneurysms, kidney stones, and cauda equine syndrome. People with osteoporosis, endometriosis, inflammatory diseases of the joints, and fibromyalgia are also predisposed to CBP.
Any discomfort in the back region, which persists for more than three months is classified as CBP. The classification holds if any possible underlying cause has been diagnosed and treated. Up to twenty percent of all acute pain back cases develop into CBP. Surgical and medical intervention are the main treatment options for this condition and they work in most cases, but not always.
CPB characteristically occurs in the lumbar region within the five vertebrae of the lower back region. This region is the one responsible for supporting the upper part of the body. Movement and other bodily actions result into shock, pressure, and friction in the vertebrae discs. The intervertebral discs function to absorb the shock and minimize friction. Ligaments are available to maintain the vertebrae in place. Signals from the spinal cord are transmitted to the brain by a total of 31 pairs of nerves.
The main causes of this condition usually have a mechanical element. For example, aging causes natural wear and tear to the spine, which becomes progressively painful. Additional causes for the condition include intervertebral degeneration, radiculopathy, sprains and strains, traumatic injury, skeletal irregularities, sciatica, and herniated or ruptured discs.
Sprains and strains are the main cause of this medical condition in most people. Sprains occur when the ligaments in the vertebrae are overstretched or torn. On the other hand, strains are caused by tearing of muscles or tendons. Both strains and sprains may be caused by overstretching, lifting or twisting something improperly, or lifting too much weight. Spasms may also be triggered by such events, causing a lot of pain.
When the spinal nerve root is injured, inflamed and/or compressed, it causes a condition called radiculopathy. The exertion of pressure onto nerve roots causes numbness, pains, or tingling sensation, which radiates to other regions of the body that are served by the nerve. The pressure may result from herniated discs or spinal stenosis.
Sports, car accidents, and falls may injure muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the back, causing CBP. Intervertebral discs are usually herniated or ruptured as a result of excessive compression caused by traumatic injury. Nerve roots are in turn pressured by herniated discs, resulting into pain. Irregularities in the skeleton include congenital anomalies such as scoliosis and lordosis. Scoliosis only manifests in middle aged people. It is caused by presence of a curvature in the spinal cord.
There is also a number of serious underlying medical conditions that may cause CPB even though this is not very common. The conditions include infections, tumors, abdominal aortic aneurysms, kidney stones, and cauda equine syndrome. People with osteoporosis, endometriosis, inflammatory diseases of the joints, and fibromyalgia are also predisposed to CBP.
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You can find details about different chronic back pain treatment options and more info about a well-respected doctor at http://www.metropain.org now.
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