1. Shingles and Lower Back Pain
Shingles can present with referred pain to the lower back as it involves the nerve roots of the spinal cord. Pain starts 1-3 days prior to the rash in a band-like region in the flank, lower back or buttock. Sometimes this can be mistaken for a musculoskeletal injury. Because shingles pain is primarily nerve pain, the treatment is vastly different to that of musculoskeletal low back pain. Pain management is the main focus of treatment with medications such as NSAIDs or paracetamol. Medications called tricyclic antidepressants and antiepileptic medications have been shown to be effective in treating nerve pain and are sometimes necessary if pain is severe. If you’re experiencing shingles and lower back pain, you should contact the team at The Orthopaedic and Pain Practice for a consultation.
2. Should I See a Chiropractor for Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain is a very common problem which affects so many people at any point in time. It can be described as pain in the lumbosacral area of the back and can be caused by a myriad of issues: a person’s occupation, posture, an acute injury, or poor conditioning (particularly the weekend warrior) can all contribute to the onset of lower back pain. The treatment of lower back pain can be frustrating and elusive. There are a variety of practitioners and a huge number of treatments which are available for this condition, often with conflicting information regarding the effectiveness of such treatments. This section aims to help the reader make an informed decision regarding which type of healthcare practitioner to see. There are two types of lower back pain: acute and mechanical. Most episodes of acute lower back pain will resolve with a few days of rest, pain medication and anti-inflammatories. Usually a person will make a full recovery within 7-28 days. Mechanical lower back pain is typically the type of back pain which people will experience recurrent episodes. Sometimes the pain can be quite disabling. If you need more information about “should i see a chiropractor for lower back pain”, contact the TOPP team for more information.
3. Understanding Lower Back Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Spinal stenosis causes pain in the buttocks and legs (and sometimes in the hands and arms), and neurogenic claudication, a symptom described as leg pain while walking which subsides when seated, is a good predictor of the presence of symptomatic spinal stenosis. The symptoms usually get worse over time. Oftentimes, with other conditions, the source of the pain can be far removed from where it is felt. Failed internal organs can refer pain to the lower back, one example is kidney pathology which can refer pain to the lower back and medial thigh. Another lesser-known example is a female patient with chronic pelvic pain, from various gynecological conditions, can refer pain to the lumbar spine region. An accurate diagnosis is paramount to treating the right condition.
Sciatica – a sharp pain that radiates from the lower back to the back of your hip and down the back of the leg – is a common symptom of a pinched nerve in the low back. The pain can be severe, making it difficult to sit or stand, and can be tingling with burning. Several players are involved in causing familiar aches and pain, and other symptoms such as numbness and weakness. In many cases, these can be traced to an injury or problem in the spine, often involving a herniated disc or degenerative joint disease. Other times, the trigger is a little more elusive.
4. Non-Surgical Treatment Approaches for Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be linked to tightness in the relatively short-term duration. Back pain due to muscle spasm can be painful and prolonged. By promoting muscle relaxation, muscle relaxants may provide short-term improvement in back pain and associated symptoms.
NSAIDs are a group of medications including ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen among others. They work to reduce both pain and inflammation. Due to the detrimental effects of NSAIDs on the stomach and the potential cardiovascular risks, it is said that they should be used with caution and for a limited period.
These are medications which work to relieve pain. This category of medication can be broken down into two groups: Acetaminophen is a medication is considered to be an effective pain reliever, but has less anti-inflammatory effects compared to other analgesics. It is often used to treat people with pain caused by osteoarthritis. Opiods are stronger pain relievers and are used in cases where severe pain is being experienced. Due to the addiction and overdose potential of these medications, they are not ideal for long-term use for chronic lower back pain. Step down from a strong opioid to a weaker one is often recommended before completely ceasing opioid. For the exact non-surgical treatment for you, contact the team at The Orthopaedic and Pain Practice.
5. Surgical Options for Severe Lower Back Pain
The risk factor of developing back pain is especially high on the emergence of back pain with sciatic irradiation. Investigators have found that the main risk factors are age, overweight, and smoking to develop sciatica. Factors such as smoking and exposure to vibration have been shown to increase the risk of both back pain and also the occurrence of sciatica. Lower back pain is severe in 13% of the general adult population of the western world. Low back pain is a common cause of chronic pain with subsequent loss of function, which can lead to a significantly reduced quality of life. The aim in treating low back pain is to relieve pain and restore function. It has been shown that 90% of cases of acute low back pain resolve after 1 month from the onset of symptoms. Of the remaining 10% of patients that develop chronic low back pain, 4% will have pain severe enough to cause a significant impact on their quality of life. There are many causes of lower back pain, and surgery should only be considered when the cause is known, and there is clear evidence that the pain is related to a structural problem that may be corrected with an operation. An example is nerve compression resulting in leg pain with tingling and numbness. This can be due to a slipped disc, which is confirmed by an MRI scan. Usually, the first line of treatment for a slipped disc is to perform a nerve root block or an epidural, which can provide pain relief.
What is the best treatment for lower back pain? This would depend on your condition and lifestyle. Only an orthopaedic surgeon can recommend the correct treatment plan for you.
