How Long Does Lower Back Pain And Spasms Last

As you grow older, you tend to develop lower back pain or lumbago. Seven out of ten people will experience it at some time in their lives The risk increases if you inflict strains and sprains through incorrect lifting or awkward movement. Exercises can also injure your lower back. If your work regularly involves lifting, twisting, bending, and reaching, you can injure your back.

Studies show that people between 19 and 45 years old suffer from disability due to back ache. After the age of 45, the condition can become severe.

Usually when you impose injury on the muscles, bones, ligaments, and joints in your back , you jeopardize your back. The painful back also shows that the tendons or discs are damaged. You can feel the discomfort anywhere on your back, in between the bottom of the ribs and the top of the legs. You may find it difficult to move around and stand upright.

Usually, the pain will last from a couple of days to a few weeks. Most of the times, it will go away after six weeks. If you endure the pain in less than three months, you then have an acute condition. Once the condition extends to over 12 weeks, the condition becomes chronic.

Most of the acute cases happen because of a trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Sometimes, a sports injury or a damage on the spinal bones and tissues due to accident can result in acute back pain.

When the disc is damaged, the muscles on either side of the spine are in spasm. Straining of back muscles can lead to spasm. The discomfort usually go away in one to two weeks.

If a specific disorder contribute to your lower back pain, by applying treatment on that disorder may solve the problem.

To relieve pain, you can rest in bed for a few days. But don't rest for more than two days. When in bed, lie on the back with a pillow behind the knees with your head and shoulders elevated.

You can also buy over-the-counter or prescription non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to minimize inflammation. Muscle relaxants can also soothe muscles spasms. During the period of recuperating, wear a back pain support if you continue with any back-stressing tasks.

If you sit for a long period or lift heavy object in a job, consult an occupational therapist to suggest upper limb exercises and safer revisions on performance of such job.

Back pain can interfere your life and work. Fortunately, in most cases, it will go away on its own. If the pain persist too long, then you need to consult your doctor to diagnose your condition. You will then be given an appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause.

The Backlash After Whiplash: What Can You Do?

Have you ever been in a motor vehicle accident? During the average lifetime, there is a strong likelihood that you or someone you know will experience an unfortunate event of this kind. Statistics show that during their life span one of every four people will be in a car crash. After a fender bender, whether you are the driver or a passenger, you may take a painkiller or two and perhaps do some physical therapy. Then, when you feel better, you may never think of it again. But what if symptoms linger? Or, worse yet, if you have no symptoms, can an accident come back to haunt you?

What Is "Whiplash"?

The non-medical term whiplash was first used in 1928. Although more accurate terms, such as acceleration flexion-extension neck injury or soft tissue cervical hyperextension injury have sometimes replaced it, "whiplash" continues to be used commonly for this kind of soft tissue neck injury. Whiplash injury specialist Dr. Arthur Croft estimates that as many as 3 million whiplash injuries occur every year in the United States, and that one of every three people will suffer from the condition.

Whiplash injury is a sudden strain or trauma affecting the bones, disks, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons of the neck, a body area that involves seven vertebrae and is known as the cervical region. The damaging forward and backward or even sideways jolt of the head and neck are caused not only by automobile accidents, but also by contact sports, various amusement park rides, falls, and assaults. Statistically, motor vehicle collisions, contact sports, and amusement park rides are the top three causes.

Various symptoms are associated with whiplash injury, including, but not limited to, neck and back pain, nausea, numbness, weakness, fatigue, dizziness, vertigo (loss of balance), inflammation, hearing impairment, headaches, visual disturbances, fracture, and paralysis. Occasionally, no symptoms are present initially, only showing up days, weeks, or even years after the injury. The consequences of whiplash range from mild pain for a few days (the most common outcome) to severe disability caused by restricted movement of the head or of the cervical spine, sometimes with persistent pain. It is likely that 40% to 50% of people with whiplash injuries suffer permanent pain.

Treating the Injury

Following an accident, it is important to be checked immediately either at an emergency room or by your chiropractor. Provided no fracture has occurred, a chiropractor can do an examination that begins with obtaining a detailed history, followed by orthopedic and neurologic tests, a range of motion test, posture and palpation check, and X-rays to see the extent of damage or change in the spine. The neck should be perfectly straight on an X-ray, and your chiropractor will be able to identify any misalignment (subluxation). On a side view, the neck should show the arc of a circle. Loss of the cervical curve, which is common on physical impact, can cause any of the whiplash symptoms listed previously.

Treatment for whiplash includes passive and active exercises, gentle massage, chiropractic, therapeutic massage, spinal and extremity adjustments, as well as such therapies as traction to correct the spinal posture, electrical stimulation to relax the muscle spasms, stretching, and ice. Application of ice immediately after most whiplash injuries helps reduce inflammation and swelling. Each application should be maintained for 10 to 20 minutes every hour. After 24 hours, alternating between ice and heat is recommended, up to 20 minutes per treatment. The ice or ice pack should be wrapped in a towel before use. To sleep, the patient can roll a towel and place it underneath the neck while lying on his or her back so that the back of the skull is resting on the bed, a position that promotes healing of the injury.

Chiropractic Is Preferred

Many studies have shown chiropractic and acupuncture are more effective than medications for treatment of injuries sustained in car accidents. According to the Insurance Research Council, "nearly one third of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic." This is an impressive number when you consider that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there are more than 12 million MVAs annually involving more than 20 million vehicles.

In a related study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers showed that "treatment of the facet joints [which link the bones in the spine] not only relieved severe neck pain, but also resolved the psychologic disturbances associated with car accidents." According to another study published in Dr. Stephen Foreman and Dr. Arthur Croft's book Whiplash Injuries: The Cervical Acceleration/Deceleration Syndrome, 3rd Edition (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001), a recent comparison of medicine, acupuncture, and chiropractic care in a randomized trial reported that "comparing medication (Celebrex, Vioxx, or paracetamol [acetaminophen]) to acupuncture and spinal manipulation over the course of 9 weeks in persons with chronic spinal pain (neck to low back pain included), the authors demonstrated a rather profound superiority in chiropractic spinal manipulation."

Many people choose chiropractic care for treatment because of its advantage in improving soft tissue injuries (ie, ligaments, muscle, tissue), especially of the spine. As injuries associated with car accidents are most frequently sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and their associated ligaments, it is natural that chiropractic is the preferred treatment.

Preventing Further Injuries

Various proactive factors can help prevent whiplash injuries from occurring or worsening while driving. Besides the obvious steps to avoid distractions in the first place, such as not using a mobile phone either to call or text, wearing a full lap restraint is a must. Drivers and passengers should position their headrests in the middle of the back of the skull and try to keep the head on the headrest while the car is in motion. Looking straight ahead and frequently checking the rearview mirrors are also crucial for the driver.

Because some whiplash injuries result in effects that last for years, if an accident with cervical impact occurs, receiving immediate attention is essential. Seeking good medical and chiropractic care without delay can help prevent additional injuries from developing as well as preclude the need for surgery.

Dr. Chad Laurence is one of fewer than 400 doctors worldwide to be recognized as a distinguished fellow of Clinical Biomechanics of Posture. His practice focuses on structural correction of the spine, nutrition, massage therapy, acupuncture, family care, and pediatrics as well as support after personal injury and auto accidents. Dr. Laurence can help relieve symptoms for individuals suffering from a variety of physical problems, including neck and low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, extremity issues, and arthritis.

The Pros and Cons of Arthritis Injections

In the treatment of musculoskeletal problems, cortisone injections may be extremely effective. Also called corticosteroid injections, they provide a focused anti-inflammatory effect aimed at providing pain relief for patients that is coming from a joint problem, such as osteoarthritis, or a soft tissue problem, such as lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow).

The medication in a steroid shot contains some of the same hormones that the human adrenal glands produce. These hormones, corticosteroids, perform vital functions in the body, such as being released and providing anti-inflammation when stress is experienced.

These injections into either joints or soft tissues provide pain relief, but it is not permanent. The effects wear off after a few weeks to months, and it may actually take a few days for the pain relief to kick in. Typically some numbing medicine is included with the steroid to give immediate relief.

Patients frequently ask if the cortisone will help with cartilage restoration. Steroid injections are not disease altering treatments, they are simply symptom altering and meant to decrease pain.

So what are the benefits of a steroid injection?

1. Pain relief - This is the main benefit, as the injection of steroid doesn't alter the course of arthritis. But it does make life more tolerable by decreasing pain for what may be quite a few months.

2. Low Risk - Compared with surgery for a musculoskeletal condition, an injection maintains a much lower risk profile.

3. Low Cost - Also compared with surgery, an injection cost exponentially less.

4. Focused Injection - The steroid is injected into either a joint which is a confined space or into a soft tissue area where the medication stays predominantly local.

5. Outpatient - The injections are done either in the doctor's office or as an outpatient procedure. No overnight stays necessary.

6. Can delay the need for surgery - If a patient is in his 50's and has terrible osteoarthritis, doing a knee replacement may only last for 15 years. This may lead to the need for a revision surgery which typically has a less satisfactory result. So the injections may provide an impressively tolerable delay for years.

7. Can be placed in multiple joints - If a patient has pain and arthritis in multiple joints, such as the knees, shoulders, and spine, steroid injections may be placed in a few joints (with appropriate care not too many at once)

What are the risks of a steroid injection?

1. Temporary blood sugar elevation - this is most common in diabetics and may raise blood sugars temporarily for 24-48 hours. It would be unusual for this to be an actual clinical problem, but people should be aware of the potential temporary issue, especially diabetics.

2. Cartilage damage - It's unclear in humans if this is clinically relevant. In animal studies there has been shown cartilage alterations with repetitive injections. The key here is moderation with the amount of injections administered to each joint.

3. Adrenal gland suppression - this type of complication may occur with oral steroid medication on a repetitive basis, it would be extremely unusual for a focal steroid injection to end up with this complication.

4. Infection - with appropriate sterile technique obtaining an infection after a steroid injection is rare, much less than 1%. Prophylactic antibiotics are not necessary.

For most individuals, cortisone injections represent an excellent pain relief option for musculoskeletal conditions. The key is moderation.

Keeping Mobile, How Do You Avoid Developing Arthritis?

As arthritis is developed people need to use mobility scooters and stairlifts, because they can't simply walk up and down the stairs like people without arthritis do. Preventing this condition is imperative, and knowing ways do to so can save someone a lot of time and suffering in the future.

The first way that people can help prevent themselves developing arthritis is by ensuring they're regularly active. Contrary to what most people believe, running and other similar sports actually help to maintain the joints in the condition they are rather than cause them to deteriorate faster. The reason for this is that the joints are being used often and as a result the body takes care to maintain them at the level they are. The more people exercise, the better the condition of their joints, which should be an inspiration for many people to get outdoors and begin being more active.

Stretching before any activity is essential for joints to remain in good condition. When people stretch they are flexing their muscles and joints, giving them the push they need to know they're going to be used. By stretching regularly before exercise the body will be better prepared for the activity ahead and the joints will be more ready for whatever's going on. Those who don't stretch before exercise often find they develop muscle and joint injuries due to their body not being warmed up for the activity coming.

Eating the right food will also help joints to last longer. By eating lots of food with calcium and vitamins C and E, a person can ensure their body's joints will be provided with everything they need to be maintained for longer. When people eat more junk food than good, nutritious food, they can lose a lot of the nutrients held in their body, meaning they're more prone to illnesses and their bones, joints and organs won't be as healthy. Continued bad eating can lead to awful health problems, and people should be very aware of what they eat regardless of whether or not they're looking after their joints.

Finally, a fourth way to help prevent arthritis developing in joints is to drink lots of water. The human body is made up of about seventy per cent water, and if this water isn't topped up regularly then people can develop health issues such as arthritis. Cartilage is a liquid, and without sufficient water a body won't maintain it. With lots of water being drunk someone's whole body will benefit, not simply their joints. The human body recycles its water about every three weeks, and replaces it with the water drunk over that time period, but if enough isn't drunk arthritis is the last thing people will need to worry about.

Top 10 Health Benefits of Lecithin

There are numerous benefits of lecithin to the human body that many of us are not aware of and many of which can help us become healthier as it is a proven substance that's essentially needed by our body. The benefits of lecithin are limitless, but to give you an idea, here are the top 10 benefits of lecithin:

1. One of the great benefits of lecithin is it breaks up cholesterol and fats in our body so it is very advisable for those who want to lose weight. Consuming more lecithin means increasing the body's metabolism rate.

2. The benefits of lecithin also reach out to people suffering from memory loss. Lecithin utilizes Vitamins A, E, K, and D which promote better concentration and memory. It is very beneficial to students and the elderly who wish to enhance their memory skills. As a matter of fact, those with Alzheimer's or amnesia are advised to include lecithin in their diet.

3. Lecithin also cleanses the kidneys and liver which is important to those who are suffering from urinary tract infection and those who love to eat salty and spicy foods. It prevents diseases like gallstones and gallbladder infection.

4. Protection against heart diseases is one of the many benefits of lecithin. It lowers cholesterol level and prevents toxins from clogging the arteries. People who include lecithin in their diet noticed remarkable development in their cardiovascular health.

5. Other benefits of lecithin worth mentioning are its roles in helping our body absorb better essential nutrients and supporting the movement of our body fluids inside and outside the cells.

6. One of the major benefits of lecithin is it protects our spinal cord and brain cells from damages. We all know how important and delicate our spinal cord and brain are for the whole functioning of our body and lecithin can keep them in good working condition.

7. Lecithin is also beneficial to our skin. If we are taking in enough lecithin into our body, it nourishes our skin and lessens the possibility of dealing with skin problems like pimples, acne, whiteheads, and blackheads.

8. Increasing your daily intake of lecithin will very much increase your physical performance, very helpful to those who are into body building and sports and people who are always on the go. Lecithin can boost the body's energy level without making you fat.

9. If you are suffering from arthritis, you'll be surprised with the benefits of lecithin especially in helping you deal with this painful ailment. Lecithin contains essential fatty acids that keep muscles, bones, and joints strong and healthy.

10. There are also benefits of lecithin for pregnant women. Studies proved that it can contribute a lot to the development of the fetus' brain and nervous system.

The lecithin benefits are numerous but it doesn't mean it's all good. Too much intake of lecithin can also lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. The body normally needs only 30 to 50 grams of lecithin per day and you can get it from eating egg yolk, fish, and peanuts.

Is the Pain in My Hip Coming From a Hip Problem or From My Back?

When a person has pain going into the hip area, it may not be emanating from the hip itself. The pain may actually be coming from a problem that is occurring in the low back and the resulting pain is radiating into a person's hip region. The problem may not be causing any low back pain so it can be difficult to delineate where the actual problem is coming from.

In order to treat the pain most effectively, it is necessary to figure out where the problem is emanating from. In the doctor's office a physical examination can show usually if the patient has arthritis of the hip. With hip arthritis often times range of motion of the hip is very painful and there are specific maneuvers which can show this. There are also additional physical exam maneuvers which can show a problem such as sacroiliac joint arthritis. Along with this, plain x-rays raise of the hip joint will typically show moderate to severe arthritis and people have pain in the area or potentially going down into the side.

Outside of hip arthritis pain, an individual might have some other derangement inside the hip joint including a cartilage tear otherwise known as a labral tear.

If the person's pain is not coming from the hip, there's a good chance it's coming from a problem in the low back. This may be from a nerve root compression or potentially several nerve roots are being pinched such as in spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis may cause no pain in the lower back itself, but radiating pain going down around the hip area. So the two may be mistaken for each other, or they may actually co-exist.

An MRI of the low back can show if nerve roots are being pinched. This may explain the patient's hip pain especially if there is is no evidence of arthritis and the exam does not display pain with hip range of motion.

One way to tell the difference is to have a pain management doctor do a diagnostic injection into the hip itself. This may be done with numbing medicine along with some steroid. The numbing medicine should kick in within just a few minutes so if the patient describes there being much less pain afterwards it probably was the hip being the culprit.

If the hip injection does not help, and the needle was reasonably assured of being inside the joint, then the next step would be an epidural injection to see if the pain was coming from the low back. This is done as an outpatient procedure, and can tell very nicely if the pain relief occurs into the hip area.

So between the two diagnostic injections, pain doctors can often get a very good picture of whether or not the pain is coming from the hip by itself, the spine by itself, or a combination of the two. Then treatment efforts can be catered towards the definitive diagnosis.

Tell Me The Reasons For Back Pain

Every person experiences back pain at least once in his or her life. There are plenty of reasons for back pain to occur. Here are some reasons for back pain:

You might have a herniated disk. A herniated disk occurs when the disks in your spine get pressed on a nerve.

You might have sciatica. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is encroached upon by a herniated disk. Sciatica is characterized by a sharp pain that shoots through the back of the leg and the buttocks.

You might have spinal stenosis. Spinal Stenosis is a condition in which the space around the nerve roots and the spinal cord gets smaller because of bone over growth or arthritis. Spinal Stenosis could pinch a nerve.

You might have Spondylosis: Spondylosis is a kind of arthritis and is caused by the degeneration of the spine that happens as people age.

Your muscles might be imbalanced. A lot of peoples' back pain is caused by muscles that are out of balance. Muscles that aren't balanced are considerably weaker than balanced muscles and can't keep joints stabilized in their sockets. This means that the joint can get misaligned or move incorrectly, which can cause pain to radiate throughout the back.

Your posture might be poor. Most back pain is caused by simple poor posture. Slumping or crouching over can cause extra strain to be put on your spine as it is forced to be smashed into positions that aren't natural. Poor posture can cause the body to move incorrectly. Pain caused by poor posture is usually located in the lower back.

You might not be getting enough exercise. Your back muscles actually need to be stretched and worked regularly or else they will weaken and not be able to support your spine as easily. When your muscles are weak they can become sore, and when your spine is not supported the disks can move and cause damage to the nerves.

Tips to Alleviate Back Pain:

Rest, but only for a couple of days. The back needs movement just as much as it needs rest to stay healthy, so even while you are resting make sure to move around at least once an hour.

Anti-inflammatory Over the Counter Medications: Advil or Tylenol or Aleve will work just fine. Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce any swelling in the muscles of the back which will relieve any pain you might be feeling. Unfortunately these medications wear off so if pain persists for more than a couple of days, make sure to call your doctor.

Heat: Using a heating pad at the site of the most intense pain can help to relax the muscles and increase blood flow to the area which should alleviate the back pain you might be feeling.

There are many reasons for back pain and only a visit to your doctor can determine the exact reason for your back pain. Your doctor can perform an examination and determine the best course of action to treat the reasons for back pain.

Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill