Strains, Sprains and Excruciating Back Pains

More often than not gravity is the back’s worst enemy. The low back area of the spine receives the brunt of damage from this downward force. Over time compression and ordinary wear and tear of the vertebrae and discs start to cause problems.

Eight out of ten Americans can expect to experience back pain during their life. The majority of problems occur because the back, stomach and buttock muscles become too weak to protect the spine from the jerks and bumps it receives.

Anatomy of the Back

Twenty-six bones make up the Spinal Column. There are seven in the Cervical (neck), twelve in the Thoracic (middle), five in the Lumbar (low), a sacrum and coccyx (tailbone). Of the 24 vertebrae the cervical and lumbar add the flexibility needed for ease of movement, but are also the most susceptible to injury. Along with the bones the back has 40 muscles, tendons which fasten the muscles to the vertebrae, and ligaments that hold the vertebrae together. There are 31 pairs of nerves attached to the Spinal Cord. The Spinal Cord is protected by a bony pathway created through the vertebrae.

Between each vertebrae lies the shock absorber of the back, the discs. Discs have a sturdy outer ring (annulus fibrosis) and soft gel-like center (nucleus pulposus). Finally, blood vessels run throughout the back completing the spinal structure.

The Troubled Back

Every part of the back structure can be injured resulting in pain and/or immobility. The ‘Slipped Disc’ (herniated or prolapsed) is one of the most common. Compression of the disc causes it to bulge, or even break the outer ring. The gel-like center can then come in contact with nerve endings. In the lower back the pain that is caused from this contact often runs from the lower back, buttocks, back of leg to the heel of the foot. It is referred to as Sciatica. Sciatica is most prevalent in adults from the age of 25 to 45. At around 25 the discs start to dehydrate making them more susceptible to ruptures. By 45 the fibrous tissues around the discs has stabilized making damage less likely.

Preventing Back Problems

With 80% of the population headed for some form of spine problem beating the odds become a matter of implementing preventative measures:

• Strengthening the muscles controlling the spine is one of the best methods of prevention. The internet has an abundant number of sites that explain various back exercises.
• Excessive weight also has a negative effect on the lower back. Maintaining a healthy weight will help hold gravity at bay.
• Poor posture can lead to back problems. By improving the bodies stance many difficulties can be adverted.
• Mattresses when worn out will cause back pain. A medium-firm mattress is suggested by chiropractors for maximum sleeping comfort.
• Learn to lift correctly. Never lift from the waist, squat or kneel to lift objects.

Helping The Pain

Once the back is experiencing pain a variety of remedies may, or may not help relieve the misery. Surgery may be required, but only as a last resort. Many of the things used to prevent back pain will also help ease it:

• Using pillows to support the natural curves of your back while sleeping and sitting can help.
• When standing in one place for a long period of time elevating one leg higher than the other by resting it on a stool, or books will greatly improve an achy situation.
• Hot and cold therapy can help where inflammation is a primary part of the problem.
• A TENS unit can be a major help in lessening pain.

Promolife has several devices which are especially designed to help the back:

• The Lynx Portable Back Stretcher allows the individual to self-administer traction which helps re-align and decompress the spine.
• The ComforTrac Home Lumbar Traction makes performing traction on the lower back simpler and more effective.
• The Body Bridge does a reverse stretching on the back. This reduces the compression effects of gravity.
• There are several Inversion Therapy devices where gravity helps to reduce pain by alleviating the pressure on the discs and nerve roots.

All in all the human back has a wondrous design. When one considers the fact that no other animal uses the same upright structure it can be referred to as incredible, even with all its weaknesses, that it serves us so well.

Article written by Cat Pippin Lowe for PromolifeNews.com.
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