INTRODUCTION
This is one of the most frequent pain that plagues everyone.
Statistics has it that 1 out of every 10 adult in the world struggles with this, have suffered from it before or will encounter this at one point in time in his or her life except you're a robot or an alien 👽.
This pain leaves a sting and the discomfort is quite significant.
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So it will be wise to get a good knowledge about it cause you might be the next victim.
What is this back pain all about?
This is a pain that affects any region of the back. Degree of pain varies from sharp need-like pain to hot burning sensation.
The human back anatomically is divided into 4 parts namely;
- Cervical part (posterior part of the neck)
- Thoracic part (middle back)
- Lumbar part (lower back)
- Coccydynia (tail bone or sacral)
This pain can affect any of these region, two or more parts
The part mostly affected is the LUMBAR region. This is because, it supports about 90% of the weight in the upper body.
- The back is so important because you need it to walk properly and to keep you erect
- You need your back to lift up something up as well as to throw something
- You need your back to seat properly as well as to lie down
When you have back ache, you're in big trouble and it gets worse if nothing is done early enough
Classification of back pain
- Acute (pain lasts for about 6-12 weeks)
- Chronic ( pain last for more than 12 weeks)
- Imagine carrying​ a huge full blown pain for weeks or months 😥. This will certainly affect your peace, productivity in your place of work as well as your happiness.
Causes of back ache
(i). Osteoporosis (marble bone disease) - an abnormality were bones become dense and bristle due to abnormal depletion of calcium, phosphorus, phosphates, etc).
When this plagues any region in the back bone, there'll be serious problem
(ii). Back muscles dystrophy or over use
(iii). Accident
(iv). Arthritis - inflammation of one or more joints, characterised by swelling, warmth and redness
(v). Degenerative spinal disease
(vi). Refered pain - pain from another area that rubs off on the back
Predisposing factors
(i). Obesity (access accumulation of fat in the body)
(ii). Unhealthy life style- smoking, drinking and eating junk food
(iii). Pregnancy (back pain begins in the 18 week and peaks between 24 to 36 week)
(iv). Kidney, pancreas and gallbladder disease
(v). Cancer
Diagnosis
(i). Physical examination by a orthopaedic doctor to know the source of the pain and the treatment to administer
(ii). Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) test - Increased values will indicate the presence of an infection, malignancy, inflammation.
Prevention
(i). Maintaining a good walking, standing and sleeping position will help a great deal
Walking positions
Seating positions
Sleeping positions
(ii). Regular exercise
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(iii). Eating healthy food, fruits and vegetables
TREATMENT
Treatment is broadly divided into two;
(i). Non medical (85%)
(ii). Medical (15%) - drugs and surgery
- Non medical
(i). Good massage around the affected area
(ii). Acupuncture
(iii). Special exercise for back pain
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- Medical
(i). Therapeutic drugs like - NSAIDs, opioids, skeletal muscle relaxers will help to relive the pain (see your doctor for medical advice)
(ii). Injection into the epidural space
(iii). Surgery - like total disc replacement, discetomy, etc.
