Chronic Back Pain

Chronic Back Pain Searching for Answers

In Parenting & Education by Edwina Hunter0 Comments

Now back pain is one of the most common medical problems in the Western world. Approximately 80% of the population suffers from it at least once during their life. In most cases low back pain originates in the intervertebral joints and the back muscles.

Certain occupations have increased risk of developing low back pain e.g. secretaries and drivers exert pressure on the spine by prolonged sitting, and nurses and workers carrying heavy loads due to lifting. Smoking is a risk factor for development of back pain, probably because of a decrease in the supply of oxygen to the intervertebral discs.

Degeneration of the discs and intervertebral joints (Spondylosis)
Over time, the intervertebral discs undergo a process of ageing: the fluid content diminishes (the disc dries out) and the disc becomes thinner. The length of the spinal column decreases causing a significant loss of height. Disc degeneration produces back pain in several ways. It affects the ability of the disc to absorb shocks and in result the spine becomes unstable. Instability of the spine leads to inflammation of the joints and the appearance of tiny bony outgrowths around the joints, called osteophytes. They can press on adjacent nerves and cause pain. Inflammation of the joints in itself also causes pain due to nerve irritation. Narrowing of the discs brings the vertebrae nearer together, resulting in narrowing of the openings between them, producing compression (pinching) of the nerves.

Disc herniation (disc rupture)
The weakening caused by ageing, extreme pressure on disc when lifting a heavy weight or sudden movements can rupture fibrous ring around disc and the gel ‘escapes’ from disc and might press on spinal nerve nearby. Pain in the lower back radiates down the leg on the side of the rupture (herniation). The leg pain results from irritation of the nerve that innervates the leg. 

Pain arising from a vertebral body
This may include: osteoporotic fractures, cancer, bacterial infection of the vertebrae, pain arising from internal organs, psychological causes.

Myofascial Pain
Pain of myofascial origin arising from the spinal muscles and other muscles referring pain to the lower back. This is far too often overlooked.
Myofascial pain can be severe and debilitating, and can cause restrictions in the joint function, impairment of neurological function, impairment of circulation and lymphatic flow.
The common triggers of the referred pain to the low back are Psoas muscle and Rectus Abdominis muscle. Pain from Psoas muscle refers/radiates pain to the low back in a vertical pattern while pain from abdominal muscle Rectus Abdominis refers pain to the low back in a horizontal direction across the lower back.

The abdominal muscle is used to bend forward the lumbar spine and to initiate getting out of a low chair. It stabilises the pelvis during walking and depresses the ribcage. Tightness of this muscle (often if Psoas, on the same side, is tight) gives a sense of being full and results in horizontal back pain.

The Psoas muscle is the keystone of a balanced, well-organised body, core muscle. It is a massive muscle that directly links the ribcage and trunk with the legs. There are two Psoas muscles, one attaching on either side of the lumbar spine. The kidneys, the bladder, viscera and reproductive organs lie in front of the Psoas. There is the vital and dynamic interrelationship of the Psoas with the diaphragm, organs and nerves that gives the Psoas muscle a powerful unifying function. Psoas often get tight during fall to, makes body rigid, to prevent ‘more’ injury’ – protective/survival response.

In the pelvis the result of a shortened Psoas include forward thrust, lateral tilt and twisting and differences in rotation and length in the legs. It causes low back pain, groin pain, increased lordosis of lumbar spine.

See online, in previous editions, Krystyna’s articles: ‘Understanding Pain’, ‘Habits Count…You and Chronic Pain’ and ‘Ringing in Your Ears.’

By Krystyna Zawadzka, Somatherapy | 02 9844 5406 | Gordon NSW
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