Lumbago (Low Back Pain) Relief: Discover the Causes and Solutions

Lumbago (low back pain) is a common condition that affects countless individuals worldwide. At Back2Balance Clinic, we recognize the impact of low back pain on your daily life, and we're here to provide you with in-depth information about this condition, its causes, diagnostic approaches, and a path to relief through chiropractic care.

Understanding Low Back Pain
Lumbago, also known as low back pain, refers to discomfort or pain felt in the lower part of the spine, specifically in the lumbar region. It is a prevalent condition, with approximately 80% of the population experiencing it at some point in their lives. Low back pain can vary from mild discomfort to severe pain and can significantly impact an individual's quality of life.

Symptoms and Patient Presentations:
Low back pain may present with various symptoms and patient profiles.

Common symptoms include:
Dull, aching pain in the lower back.
Sharp or shooting pain that may radiate down the legs.
Muscle stiffness or spasms.
Limited range of motion in the lower back.
Difficulty standing or sitting for extended periods.

Impact on Quality of Life:
Low back pain can affect all aspects of life, including:

Work:
It may lead to reduced productivity, absenteeism, or even the inability to work.
Family Life: Low back pain can limit the ability to participate in family activities, such as playing with children or taking care of household chores.

Social Life:
Social activities and hobbies may become challenging or impossible due to pain.

Emotional Well-being:
Chronic pain can lead to anxiety, depression, and reduced overall happiness.

Types of Low Back Pain:
There are two main categories of low back pain: acute and chronic.

Acute Low Back Pain:
This type typically lasts for a few days to a few weeks and is often associated with sudden injury or strain.

Chronic Low Back Pain:
Chronic pain persists for three months or longer and may be caused by underlying medical conditions, degenerative changes, or lifestyle factors.

Anatomy Affected:
Low back pain can result from issues affecting the following structures:

Vertebrae and Discs:
Degenerative changes, herniated discs, and fractures can lead to pain.

Muscles and Ligaments:
Strain or injury to the muscles and ligaments supporting the spine can cause pain.

Nerves:
Compression or irritation of spinal nerves can result in radiating pain down the legs.

Causes of Low Back Pain:
Mechanical low back pain, also referred to as non-specific low back pain, is one of the most common forms of low back pain and primarily results from problems related to the structure and function of the spine and its supporting musculature. While the exact cause may not always be easily identifiable, several common mechanical factors can contribute to this type of low back pain:
Muscle Imbalances: Muscles play a crucial role in supporting the spine and maintaining proper posture. When there is an imbalance in muscle strength or flexibility, it can lead to increased stress on certain areas of the lower back, resulting in pain. For example, weak abdominal muscles and tight lower back muscles can contribute to mechanical low back pain.

Poor Posture:
Prolonged periods of sitting with improper posture, especially when combined with the use of ergonomic chairs or workstations, can strain the lower back. Slouching or hunching over a desk or computer can create abnormal stress on the spine, leading to discomfort.

Spinal Misalignments:
Subluxations or misalignments of the vertebrae in the lumbar spine can disrupt the normal biomechanics of the spine. These misalignments can result from repetitive movements, poor lifting techniques, or even sudden trauma. When vertebrae are not properly aligned, it can cause irritation to nearby nerves, leading to pain.
Overuse and Repetitive Strain: Jobs or activities that involve repetitive movements, heavy lifting, or frequent bending and twisting can strain the muscles and ligaments of the lower back. Over time, this can lead to chronic mechanical low back pain.

Sedentary Lifestyle:
Lack of regular physical activity and prolonged periods of inactivity, such as sitting for extended periods, weaken the muscles that support the spine. This can result in increased vulnerability to mechanical low back pain.

Age-Related Changes:
As individuals age, the spine undergoes natural degenerative changes, including the breakdown of intervertebral discs and the development of osteoarthritis. These age-related changes can lead to mechanical low back pain, especially in the elderly population.

Degenerative Changes:
Conditions like osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease can contribute to chronic low back pain. These conditions involve the gradual wear and tear of spinal discs, leading to pain and reduced flexibility over time.

Herniated Disc:
When the soft inner core of a disc protrudes, it can compress nearby nerves, causing significant pain. This condition can result from wear and tear, sudden trauma, or heavy lifting.

Injuries:
Trauma, such as falls, car accidents, or sports injuries, can lead to acute low back pain. Fractures, sprains, or strains of the spinal structures can occur and require prompt medical attention.

Medical Conditions:
There are rare but severe medical conditions that can manifest as low back pain:

Cancer:
Tumors in the spine or nearby organs may cause persistent low back pain. These tumors can be primary (originating in the spine) or metastatic (spreading from other parts of the body).

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:
A weakened and enlarged abdominal aorta can lead to severe, sudden low back pain. This is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Kidney Infection:
Infections of the kidneys can cause flank pain that radiates to the lower back.

Pancreatitis:
Inflammation of the pancreas can lead to deep abdominal and lower back pain.

Infections:
Infections of the spine or nearby structures can cause low back pain. Conditions like vertebral osteomyelitis or epidural abscess may require antibiotics and sometimes surgical intervention.

Autoimmune Diseases:
Conditions like ankylosing spondylitis or lupus can affect the spine and lead to chronic low back pain.
Referred Pain: Pain originating from organs in the abdomen or pelvis, such as the kidneys or reproductive organs, can be felt in the lower back. These cases often require a thorough medical evaluation.

Nerve Compression:
Conditions like cauda equina syndrome, which involve the compression of the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine, can cause severe low back pain, along with bowel or bladder dysfunction. This is a medical emergency.

Diagnostics and Determining the Cause:
Accurate diagnosis is crucial to determine the underlying cause of low back pain. Diagnostic methods may include:

Medical History:
Gathering information about past injuries, lifestyle, and family history.

Physical Examination:
Assessing posture, range of motion, and muscle strength.

Neurological Examination:
Evaluating the integrity of the nervous system function shows how the nerves communicate via the spine.
Imaging: X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to visualize the spine's structure.

Treatment Possibilities:
Treatment options for low back pain are diverse and depend on the cause and severity. These may include:

Medications:
Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatory drugs, or antibiotics in the case of infectious cause.

Physical Therapy:
Exercises and stretches to improve strength and flexibility.

Injections:
Epidural or facet joint injections for pain relief.

Surgery:
In cases of severe structural issues or when the cause is indirectly related to the spine such as organ referred pain, infections, or neoplasms (cancer). When the cause is associated with herniated intervertebral discs, surgery may be avoided if discovered promptly and managed correctly.

Chiropractic Care:
A non-invasive approach that focuses on the spine's alignment, muscular balance, and lifestyle factors.

Chiropractic Approach:
At Back2Balance Clinic, we specialize in uncovering the root cause of low back pain. Our approach includes:

Comprehensive Assessment:
Our team conducts a thorough evaluation to understand the specific factors contributing to your low back pain. This assessment includes examining your spine's alignment, muscle balance, posture, and lifestyle factors. You can learn more about the Back2Balance process here:

Personalized Care Plans:
Based on our findings, we create personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs. These plans include chiropractic adjustments, home-based corrective exercises for added strength and flexibility, and lifestyle recommendations.

Chiropractic Benefits for Low Back:
Improved Spinal Alignment: Chiropractic adjustments aim to correct misalignments in the spine, reducing pressure on nerves and promoting healing.

Pain Relief:
Many patients experience significant pain relief after chiropractic care, allowing them to resume their daily activities.

Enhanced Mobility:
Chiropractic adjustments can improve joint mobility, making it easier to move without discomfort.

Preventive Care:
Chiropractic care not only addresses existing pain but also focuses on preventing future episodes of low back pain.

If you're suffering from low back pain and seeking effective relief, don't hesitate to contact us at Back2Balance Clinic. Our dedicated team is committed to helping you find relief and improve your quality of life. We will work diligently to uncover the cause of your pain and get you back to living your life the way you want to. Rest assured, if we do not have a solution, we will refer your case to someone who may.