LUMBAR PAIN OR LOW BACK PAIN
The low back, also called the lumbar region, is the area of the back that starts below the ribcage. Almost everyone has lumbar pain or low back pain at some point in life. Lumbar pain or low back pain, also called lumbago, is not a disorder. It’s a symptom of several different types of medical problems.
It usually results from a problem with one or more parts of the lower back, such as:
- ligaments
- muscles
- nerves
- the bony structures that make up the spine, called vertebral bodies or vertebrae
It can also be due to a problem with nearby organs, such as the kidneys.
CAUSES
- Lumbar herniated disc
- Degenerative disc disease
- Facet joint dysfunction
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Osteoarthritis
- Deformity
- Trauma
- Compression fracture
- Infection like Osteomyelitis
- Tumor
- Autoimmune diseases like ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease, fibromyalgia, and others.
SYMPTOMS
Low back pain is typically characterized by a combination of the following symptoms:
- Dull, aching pain
- Pain that travels to the buttocks, legs, and feet
- Pain that is worse after prolonged sitting
- Pain that feels better when changing positions
- Pain that is worse after waking up and better after moving around
PREVENTION
- Carry less -Heavy briefcases, laptop bags, suitcases, and purses can add unnecessary stress and strain to your neck and spine.Try to reduce what you need to carry, and use bags that distribute the weight more evenly, such as a backpack. If you can, use a bag with wheels to keep weight off your back entirely.
- Work your core -The muscles in and around your abdomen and back help keep you upright and carry you through your physical activities. Strengthening them can also reduce the chances of pain, strain, or damage to your back.Plug strength-training workouts with a core focus into your regular fitness routine at least twice a week.
- Improve your posture -Poor posture can put unnecessary pressure and strain on your spine. Over time, this can lead to pain and damage.Regularly remind yourself to roll back rounded shoulders and sit upright in your chair.
- Change shoes -High-heeled shoes are likely to cause damage to your back if you wear them frequently. Pick comfortable, low-heeled shoes when you can. One inch is a maximum heel height suggestion.
- Stretch often -Doing the same thing every day can leave your muscles fatigued and more apt to strain. Stretch regularly to help improve circulation in those muscles and lower the risk of back pain and damage.
RISK FACTORS OF LUMBAR PAIN OR LOW BACK PAIN
You’re at an increased risk for lumbar pain or low back pain if you:
- work in a sedentary environment
- don’t exercise
- engage in high-impact activity without stretching or warming up first
- are older
- have obesity
- are a smoker
- have been diagnosed with a specific condition like arthritis
Your emotional health also has an effect on your risk for lumbar pain or low back pain. You may be at a higher risk for back pain if you have a stressful job or have depression and anxiety.
DIAGNOSIS
A physical exam is typically all that’s needed to diagnose lumbar or back pain. During the physical exam, your doctor may test your:
- ability to stand and walk
- spine’s range of motion
- reflexes
- leg strength
- ability to detect sensations in your legs
If a serious condition is suspected, your doctor might order other tests, including:
- blood and urine tests to check for underlying conditions
- X-rays of the spine to show alignment of your bones and check for breaks
- computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess your disks, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and blood vessels
- bone scan to look for abnormalities in the bone tissue
- electromyography (EMG) to test nerve conduction
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TREATMENT
- Stop your normal physical activities for a couple of days and apply ice to your lower back. Doctors generally recommend using ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, then switching to heat.
- Medication, such as ibuprofen Advil, or acetaminophen to relieve pain.
- Sometimes lying on your back causes more discomfort. If so, try lying on your side with your knees bent and a pillow between your legs. If you can lie comfortably on your back, place a pillow or rolled-up towel beneath your thighs to reduce the pressure on the lower back.
- A warm bath or a massage can often relax stiff and knotted muscles in the back.
- Medical treatment -Some medications your doctor may prescribe include:
- muscle relaxants
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- narcotic drugs such as codeine for pain relief
- steroids to reduce inflammation
- corticosteroid injections
- Your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy, including:
- massage
- stretching
- strengthening exercises
- back and spinal manipulation
- Surgery
- Discectomy
- Foraminotomy
- Intradiscal electrothermal therapy(IDET)
- Nucleoplasty
- Radiofrequency lesioning or ablation
- Spinal fusion
- Spinal laminectomy
EFFECTIVENESS OF ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture is indeed an effective and safe way to help relieve your lumbar or low back pain. Acupuncture has been an integral part of Chinese Medicine for over 4,000 years, although the benefits were slowly discovered in the Western world. Today, as people are becoming more aware of alternative treatments—and seeking pain relief options that do not include medication—acupuncture seems to have jumped to the top of many people’s radar.
While over-the-counter or prescription pain medications may offer some relief, the relief is temporary and does not treat the underlying issue(s) or cause of the pain. Medication may mask the pain to the point that a person continues to do a certain activity that may worsen their physical situation.
Acupuncture is effective in reducing pain. This theory asserts that pain signals travel slowly from the area of injury to the spinal cord into the brain because the nerves can only handle a limited number of signals at once. Acupuncture is thought to generate faster signals to crowd out the slow-moving pain signals, thus blocking out the pain.The best remedy to relieve lumbar or low back pain without surgery is Acupuncture.
MECHANISM OF ACUPUNCTURE
Acupuncture unblocks and moves the body’s energy (called Qi [chee]) through the body’s functional systems—such as, the nervous, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, and digestive systems.Acupuncture is rooted in the belief that everyone has an energy force called the qi. When the qi is blocked or unbalanced, your body may respond with pain and illness. Traditional acupuncturists aim to free up qi channels, known as meridians, by inserting extremely thin needles into specific points in your body's meridians.It has also been suggested that acupuncture triggers the release of endorphins into the bloodstream. Simply put, endorphins are your body's natural pain relievers. As such, their release decreases your perception of pain.
Acupuncture treatment was administered to patients in the prone position. Acupuncture points MBW24, MBW35 , BL25, and BL23 were selected along with ashi points . Points GB30 , BL54 , and BL36 were added for patients with ischial pain.They were manually
manipulated using reinforcing-reducing techniques to obtain deqi. Needles were retained for 30 minutes. Treatment was provided once daily, for a total of 15 days. Acupuncture may be more effective than conventional care when treating lumbar or low back pain.
BEST CURE FOR LUMBAR PAIN
Looking for the best relief for Lumbar or low back pain in Chennai, here’s why you should reach out to the expert Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath from the best rated clinic Dr.Bharath’s Acu Heal. He is currently treating patients for a wide range of conditions. As a best acupuncture practitioner with 15 years of experience, and having worked with several orthopedician and neurologists Acupuncturist. A. Shaji Bharath can create the treatment plan for the best cure for lumbar or low back pain to manage the condition that's tailored to your needs, which can break a cycle of long-lasting numbness and pain in the back. As the top acupuncture doctor in Chennai he has witnessed acupuncture doing wonders for people suffering from lumbar or low back pain. The effectiveness rate increases several times just with one course of Acupuncture. So, take some time to find the right pain management and best remedy for acupuncture approach that suits you. Most of the people swear by acupuncture, citing it as a best cure and a ‘miracle’ to improving their quality of life. To contact the top acupuncture doctor in Chennai, Dial: +91 9884746916 or Visit: drbharathsacuheal.com for more details.
BEST ACUPUNCTURE DOCTOR NEAR ME
To choose the Best doctor for Acupuncture, it's important that the Acupuncturist should have a decade of experience and treated at least 1000 to 2000 patients.
You can also search for the Best Acupuncture Doctor near me or ask your primary care physician to refer an experienced Acupuncturist nearby. Once you find the Best Acupuncture Doctor in Chennai, you may go through their google reviews first and then fix an appointment with the doctor only when you are satisfied with the reviews.
The Best Acupuncture Doctor should address your concerns and help you feel more comfortable before your first session. Acupuncture usually takes numerous sessions or several weeks to get a complete cure in any ailment but within 3 or 4 sessions the patients will experience positive differences.
BEST ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC NEAR ME
There are numerous clinics popping up and it is sometimes skeptical to choose the best or even the safe one. To address such concerns, you can look into the following points to choose the best acupuncture clinic for treating lumbar or low back pain. Acupuncture is also offered in hospital pain clinics and by healthcare organizations but it is ideal to visit the best Acupuncture Clinic. If you are not sure, it would be a good idea to contact your local doctor to see if they would be prepared to refer to the best rated acupuncture clinics.Acupuncture is offered in top rated acupuncture clinics near me because conventional treatment has failed or produces unacceptable side effects. Most of the best acupuncture clinics will spell out very clearly what type of acupuncture they practice and how professional they are - at present anyone can set themselves up as an acupuncturist but reputable practitioners will belong to an organization. So while you are filtering the best clinics for acupuncture that treats lumbar or low back pain, you can look out for these factors.Treatment without surgery for lumbar or low back pain is possible through Acupuncture and it gives the best result.
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THE BOTTOM LINE
Lumbar or low back pain is a common ailment, and the older you get, the more likely you are to experience it. Lumbar pain may become chronic and also leads to other problems if left untreated.
The good news for people who experience lumbar or low back pain and want to get treated without side effects is trying Acupuncture treatment. Dial: +91 9884746916 or Visit:drbharathsacuheal.com to fix your appointment to reduce your lumbar pain.
SCIENTIFIC REFERENCES:
- Yang Chaoqun et al. “Effect of Postural Adjustment and Warm Acupuncture on Intervertebral Discogenic Low Back Pain” Modern Journal of integrated Traditional Chinese and western Medicine (2018) May, 27 (13).
- Xia Shuyu “Acupuncture and Moxibustion in the Treatment of Postoperative Pain of lumbar disc herniation for 55 Cases” Guangming Journal of Chinese Medicine (2018) May, 33 (10).
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FAQ:
What are the services provided for low back pain by Dr.Bharath’s Acu Heal?
Acupuncture can completely heal low back pain/hip joint pain/sciatica. In addition to that, an exercise regime and diet plan will be advised. Most of the time patients having low back pain/hip joint pain/sciatica will be treated for gastritis too because it could be the root cause for all joint ailments.
How many sessions of acupuncture do you need for low back pain?
It depends on how long the patient has been suffering. It may take 10 to 30 sessions with the duration being 2 to 3 months for a low back pain to completely heal.
What are the benefits of acupuncture for low back pain?
First of all, Acupuncture does not involve prescribing any drugs. Hence this drugless therapy does not have side effects. The results given are almost permanent. During the treatment, the paraspinal muscles regain their strength helping the spine to stand erect.