Back Pain
Since the inception of this world, man is suffering with back pain. It is most common form of ailment which everyone faces at least once in his or her lifetime. It is usually felt in back which originates from muscles, nerves and joints. Though it’s no life threatening, it can be very painful and uncomfortable. Its ability to trouble can be concluded from the stats that 75% of work absentees are related to back pain.
Back pain can be classified anatomically, like neck pain, middle back pain, lower back pain. It can be for short time (acute) or for long period (chronic). From all the recorded conditions, 98% of the cases are non specific pains which are not risky at all.
Causes :
Human back is a complex structure which is made up of muscled, bones and ligaments, Most of the time, the causes of pain are unknown.
1. Strain :
This is the most common cause of back pain. The extra strain of muscles and ligaments are enough for back pain.
2. Slip Disc :
Vertebras in our spine are cushioned by discs. If the disc ruptures or displaced, it will pain.
3. Arthritis :
Patient with arthritis are always prone to back pain.
4. Infections:
Infections like pelvic inflammatory disease or shingles can affect the nerves.
5. Cancer :
Tumor located on the spine may get pressed which may cause severe back pain.
Symptoms :
1- Stiffness in back.
2- Pain in hips, thighs and legs.
3- Numbness in leg.
4- Lack of flexibility in back muscles.
Diagnosis :
Physician has to examine the patient completely. As it’s an internal condition, it cannot be diagnosed by just talking to the patient. Thus, following measures have to be taken.
1. X- Rays :
They enable doctor to detect where the exact ailment is or where the patient has broken bone.
2. MRI Or CT Scans :
These are useful in determining problems with vessels, ligaments and tissues.
3. EMG :
The electrical impulses produced by nerves in response to muscles are measured. This study can confirm nerve compression which may occur with a herniated disk or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
4. Bone Scan :
It is useful in detecting bone tumors or brittle bones.