The Spine

More than 31 million visits were made to physician offices in 2003 because of back problems (Source: National Center for Health Statistics; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2003 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.) Eight out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is one of the most frequent problems treated by orthopaedic surgeons, family practitioners. Chiropractic doctors, and massage therapists. What is the lower back? Your lower back is a complex structure of vertebrae, disks, spinal cord, and nerves, including: five bones called lumbar vertebrae - stacked one upon the other, connecting the upper spine to the pelvis six shock absorbers called disks - acting both as cushion and stabilizer to protect the lumbar vertebrae spinal cord and nerves - the "electric cables" which travel through a central canal in the lumbar vertebrae, connecting your brain to the muscles of your legs small joints - allowing functional movement and providing stability muscles and ligaments - providing strength and power and at the same time support and stability How does the spine work? The lower or lumbar spine is a complex structure that connects your upper body (including your chest and arms) to your lower body (including your pelvis and legs). This important part of your spine provides you with both mobility and strength. The mobility allows movements such as turning, twisting or bending; and the strength allows you to stand, walk and lift. Proper functioning of your lower back is needed for almost all activities of daily living. Pain in the lower back can restrict your activity, reduce your work capacity and diminish your quality of life. What are the common causes? Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors: Protruding Disk Age Osteoporosis and Fractures Low Back Sprain and Strain The muscles of the low back provide power and strength for activities such as standing, walking and lifting. A strain of the muscle can occur when the muscle is poorly conditioned or overworked. The ligaments of the low back act to interconnect the five vertebral bones and provide support or stability for the low back. A sprain of the low back can occur when a sudden, forceful movement injures a ligament which has become stiff or weak through poor conditioning or overuse. Prevention Back pain caused by lifting can be prevented if you use proper lifting techniques and exercise regularly to improve your muscle strength and overall physical condition. The normal effects of aging that result in decreased bone mass, and decreased strength and elasticity of muscles and ligaments, can't be avoided. However, the effects can be slowed by: exercising regularly to keep muscles that support your back strong and flexible using the correct lifting and moving techniques maintaining your proper body weight; being overweight puts a strain on your back muscles avoid smoking maintaining a proper posture when standing and sitting; don't slouch Staying in shape You can reduce the risk of back pain if you stay in good physical shape. Recreational activities such as swimming, bike riding, running or walking briskly will keep you in good physical condition. There also are specific exercises that are directed toward strengthening and stretching your back, stomach, hip and thigh muscles as well as exercises to decrease the strain on your lower back. Consult your physician about a proper exercise program.

What Is Back Pain?

Back pain is an all-too-familiar problem that can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that leaves you incapacitated. It can come on suddenly – from an accident, a fall, or lifting something too heavy – or it can develop slowly, perhaps as the result of age-related changes to the spine. Regardless of how it happens or how it feels, you know it when you have it. And chances are, if you don’t have it now, you will eventually.

How Common Is It?

At some point, back pain affects an estimated 8 out of 10 people. It is one of our society’s most common medical problems.

What Are the Risk Factors for Back Pain?

Although anyone can have back pain, a number of factors increase your risk. They include:

Age: The first attack of low back pain typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 40. Back pain becomes more common with age.

Fitness level: Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit. Weak back and abdominal muscles may not properly support the spine. “Weekend warriors” – people who go out and exercise a lot after being inactive all week – are more likely to suffer painful back injuries than people who make moderate physical activity a daily habit. Studies show that low-impact aerobic exercise is good for the discs that cushion the vertebrae, the individual bones that make up the spine.

Diet: A diet high in calories and fat, combined with an inactive lifestyle, can lead to obesity, which can put stress on the back.

Heredity: Some causes of back pain, including disc disease, may have a genetic component.

Race: Race can be a factor in back problems. African American women, for example, are two to three times more likely than white women to develop spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vertebra of the lower spine – also called the lumbar spine – slips out of place.