Back Pain Lydney - for back pain, sciatica, backache, lumbago

Back Pain: Home A Different Approach You and Your Back The Common Cause The Symptoms Treatment Location Back to Basics Talks Testimonials > E-mail Me <	THE COMMON CAUSE There are many causes of back pain; fortunately, the more serious problems are relatively rare and generally diagnosed by conventional medicine. In such cases the symptoms are usually quite different from the norm and appropriate caution can be exercised. The past history of any back trouble gives valuable clues as to what the cause of any pain is. There may be a history of back trouble going back many years which has recently become worse, and/or it may be linked to a more traumatic incident like a fall or a road traffic accident, either recently or sometime in the past. Any recent trauma may often mean that there is some actual damage, which will take time to heal as well as the normal back problem. Quite often the underlying back problem relates back to the first ever twinge, niggle and/or stiffness which may be many years prior to the first main occurrence of back pain. The more common troubles are basically caused by a very small lateral twist in one or several of the vertebrae, usually so slight that it does not show up in x-rays and can therefore remain undetected by conventional means. The twist on the vertebral bone can cause the disc to be disturbed thereby creating all the `disc problems' such as wear and tear, narrowing, bulging etc. and often what will be wrongly diagnosed as a `slipped disc'. In actual fact there is no such thing as a slipped disc. Another possible cause of the narrowing is the body responding to the distortion and altering the shape of the disc to try and stabilise the spine. The extent of any 'wear and tear' or deterioration of the disc is influenced by two factors. The first is the length of time that the vertebrae has been misaligned and secondly it depends how active the person has been with their back. Normally it takes 5 to 10 years before any deterioration is apparent. Generally the upper thoracic area will show deterioration before the lumbar area. Spondylosis of the upper thoracic area usually only occurs if there has been significant misalignment for at least 10 years. If the person has been quite athletic before and reasonably active after their first onset of back trouble, then the amount of deterioration will be much less. For the reason that the joints have been kept mobile and the muscle tone has better supported the vertebrae. If mobility is reduced, adhesions are allowed to form, which exacerbates the problem. A 'dowagers hump' is the ultimate condition created in the long term as the body seeks the position which gives most relief. Prolapsing of the lumbar discs is more often than not been created by the torsional forces created by the misalignment coupled with dynamic compressional forces created by body weight and movement. In some ways it's similar to squeezing a toothpaste tube. Fortunately, realigning the vertebrae, and thus relieving the pressure, can often allow the prolapsed (bulging) material to retract back into the centre of the disc. The twist on the vertebral bone can also cause the nerve or nerves as they leave or enter the back to become nipped and disturbed, thereby creating all sorts of aches and pains and reactions depending on where the nerves go to or come from. If you consider that almost every nerve in the body passes through the spine somewhere and any of these nerves can be nipped and disturbed, either directly or indirectly, the symptoms created can be very varied and often different each time. Sometimes the symptom can be quite distant from the back, for example the foot or the hand, without there being any obvious trouble in the back itself. The main cause of much of the pain can also be attributed to the involuntary reaction of the back muscles to the distortion and associated nerve disturbance. The back muscles go into spasm to try and immobilise the spine, and create more pain and reaction in the process. Most commonly the twist is created by a lack of co-ordination in the way we move our bodies and shift our weight about. This is greatly exacerbated by a lack of muscle tone due to insufficient physical movement in sedentary occupations and generally the back being too cold. In otherwords there is a lack of muscle tone to support the back properly. Allowing the back to become stiff with insufficient movement or allowing the back to become cold because of insufficient clothing can also contribute greatly to many back problems. So wear a vest and allow the back to function properly. Ideally you should wear a sleeveless cotton vest, a short sleeved shirt or blouse and a sleeveless pullover to keep your back cosy. Three layers on your back before you cover your arms. I have found that keeping the back warm in this fashion, is actually extremely important and makes a very significant difference to the long term care of the back. It is very easy to chill the muscles in the back without realising that they are cold. They then stiffen up, are not supporting the back properly, and create an imbalance, which can pull the vertebrae out of place. For the same reason, applying cold in the form of an ice pack is not recommended. From experience I would recon that at least half of the patients that I see, have back trouble because their backs have been too cold and that has acted as the catalyst to create the distortion in the first place. Likewise patients who have been before and 'forgotten' the advice about keeping their backs warm, invariably end up having to come back to get sorted again. With the best of intentions they also get a telling off for not keeping it warm, which is usually taken in the spirit it is intended. There is often very much emphasis placed on having the correct seating, whether at your desk or in the car etc., and often at considerable expense. What feels right for you, with regard to having the correct posture, is more important. The correct seating is certainly is to be recommended but unfortunately the decision is often made on the basis that the correct seat will prevent back trouble. Whereas the reality is that it will only aid prevention of recurrent symptoms. It is more to do with how you sit in the seat rather than how the seat holds you. Generally the regular use of a cushion at the small of the back has much to commend it. A firm bed is naturally preferable, as is a firm couch/settee. If there is any back trouble at all then a dining room type chair should be used - with a cushion at the small of the back. Sitting for longer than 20 minutes is then not to be recommended as the back is likely to stiffen up. Bearing mind that the back is basically a row of bones and also a row of joints, it is supposed to be kept flexible and moving. The regular movement also keeps the supporting muscles toned up without stiffening up. Very often the main cause of pain is being created by the body reacting to the distortion and tensing the muscles up to try and support the back, but in the process makes it much worse. Much relief can thus be gained by relaxing the back and gently stretching the muscles to ease the spasms, perhaps even with the aid of suitable pain killers or anti-inflammatory preparations. The application of heat with a hot water bottle or a hot shower will aid the relaxation. A bath is not recommended as it is very easy to twist the back as you enter or rise from the bath. Also if you lie and soak up the heat and slacken all the back muscles you will lose proper muscular support for your back and may make it worse. Top \| Home \| A Different Approach \| You and Your Back \| The Common Cause \| The Symptoms \| Treatment \| Location \| Back to Basics \| Talks \| Testimonials \| E-mail Me

Back Pain: Home A Different Approach You and Your Back The Common Cause The Symptoms Treatment Location Back to Basics Talks Testimonials > E-mail Me <

THE COMMON CAUSE

There are many causes of back pain; fortunately, the more serious problems are relatively rare and generally diagnosed by conventional medicine. In such cases the symptoms are usually quite different from the norm and appropriate caution can be exercised. The past history of any back trouble gives valuable clues as to what the cause of any pain is. There may be a history of back trouble going back many years which has recently become worse, and/or it may be linked to a more traumatic incident like a fall or a road traffic accident, either recently or sometime in the past. Any recent trauma may often mean that there is some actual damage, which will take time to heal as well as the normal back problem. Quite often the underlying back problem relates back to the first ever twinge, niggle and/or stiffness which may be many years prior to the first main occurrence of back pain.

The more common troubles are basically caused by a very small lateral twist in one or several of the vertebrae, usually so slight that it does not show up in x-rays and can therefore remain undetected by conventional means. The twist on the vertebral bone can cause the disc to be disturbed thereby creating all the `disc problems' such as wear and tear, narrowing, bulging etc. and often what will be wrongly diagnosed as a `slipped disc'. In actual fact there is no such thing as a slipped disc.

Another possible cause of the narrowing is the body responding to the distortion and altering the shape of the disc to try and stabilise the spine.

The extent of any 'wear and tear' or deterioration of the disc is influenced by two factors. The first is the length of time that the vertebrae has been misaligned and secondly it depends how active the person has been with their back. Normally it takes 5 to 10 years before any deterioration is apparent. Generally the upper thoracic area will show deterioration before the lumbar area. Spondylosis of the upper thoracic area usually only occurs if there has been significant misalignment for at least 10 years. If the person has been quite athletic before and reasonably active after their first onset of back trouble, then the amount of deterioration will be much less. For the reason that the joints have been kept mobile and the muscle tone has better supported the vertebrae. If mobility is reduced, adhesions are allowed to form, which exacerbates the problem. A 'dowagers hump' is the ultimate condition created in the long term as the body seeks the position which gives most relief. Prolapsing of the lumbar discs is more often than not been created by the torsional forces created by the misalignment coupled with dynamic compressional forces created by body weight and movement. In some ways it's similar to squeezing a toothpaste tube.

Fortunately, realigning the vertebrae, and thus relieving the pressure, can often allow the prolapsed (bulging) material to retract back into the centre of the disc. The twist on the vertebral bone can also cause the nerve or nerves as they leave or enter the back to become nipped and disturbed, thereby creating all sorts of aches and pains and reactions depending on where the nerves go to or come from. If you consider that almost every nerve in the body passes through the spine somewhere and any of these nerves can be nipped and disturbed, either directly or indirectly, the symptoms created can be very varied and often different each time. Sometimes the symptom can be quite distant from the back, for example the foot or the hand, without there being any obvious trouble in the back itself.

The main cause of much of the pain can also be attributed to the involuntary reaction of the back muscles to the distortion and associated nerve disturbance. The back muscles go into spasm to try and immobilise the spine, and create more pain and reaction in the process.

Most commonly the twist is created by a lack of co-ordination in the way we move our bodies and shift our weight about. This is greatly exacerbated by a lack of muscle tone due to insufficient physical movement in sedentary occupations and generally the back being too cold.

In otherwords there is a lack of muscle tone to support the back properly. Allowing the back to become stiff with insufficient movement or allowing the back to become cold because of insufficient clothing can also contribute greatly to many back problems. So wear a vest and allow the back to function properly. Ideally you should wear a sleeveless cotton vest, a short sleeved shirt or blouse and a sleeveless pullover to keep your back cosy. Three layers on your back before you cover your arms. I have found that keeping the back warm in this fashion, is actually extremely important and makes a very significant difference to the long term care of the back. It is very easy to chill the muscles in the back without realising that they are cold. They then stiffen up, are not supporting the back properly, and create an imbalance, which can pull the vertebrae out of place. For the same reason, applying cold in the form of an ice pack is not recommended. From experience I would recon that at least half of the patients that I see, have back trouble because their backs have been too cold and that has acted as the catalyst to create the distortion in the first place. Likewise patients who have been before and 'forgotten' the advice about keeping their backs warm, invariably end up having to come back to get sorted again. With the best of intentions they also get a telling off for not keeping it warm, which is usually taken in the spirit it is intended.

There is often very much emphasis placed on having the correct seating, whether at your desk or in the car etc., and often at considerable expense. What feels right for you, with regard to having the correct posture, is more important. The correct seating is certainly is to be recommended but unfortunately the decision is often made on the basis that the correct seat will prevent back trouble. Whereas the reality is that it will only aid prevention of recurrent symptoms.

It is more to do with how you sit in the seat rather than how the seat holds you. Generally the regular use of a cushion at the small of the back has much to commend it. A firm bed is naturally preferable, as is a firm couch/settee. If there is any back trouble at all then a dining room type chair should be used - with a cushion at the small of the back. Sitting for longer than 20 minutes is then not to be recommended as the back is likely to stiffen up. Bearing mind that the back is basically a row of bones and also a row of joints, it is supposed to be kept flexible and moving. The regular movement also keeps the supporting muscles toned up without stiffening up. Very often the main cause of pain is being created by the body reacting to the distortion and tensing the muscles up to try and support the back, but in the process makes it much worse. Much relief can thus be gained by relaxing the back and gently stretching the muscles to ease the spasms, perhaps even with the aid of suitable pain killers or anti-inflammatory preparations. The application of heat with a hot water bottle or a hot shower will aid the relaxation. A bath is not recommended as it is very easy to twist the back as you enter or rise from the bath. Also if you lie and soak up the heat and slacken all the back muscles you will lose proper muscular support for your back and may make it worse.