How is your lower back doing lately?
Do you suffer from discogenic low back pain, or want to know more about it?
1.) Introduction
Lower back pain is not as uncommon as one may think. Ninety percent of the adult population has experienced back pain in their life. Every year, fifty percent of the work force in the United States complains about back discomfort on some level. Lumbar discomfort can result from spinal stenosis, disc herniation or lumbar sprain, for example. It can also be caused by a degenerative condition such as discogenic low back problems. Discogenic refers to having one or more intervertebral discs as the source of the pain.
2.) Discogenic Low Back Pain Symptoms
Discogenic low back pain can simply be pointed to aging. During our body's aging process, several changes will occur. For example, our skin will continue to lose its elasticity, or our hair will turn gray. Aging also affects our spine, especially the intervertebral discs. During the first stage of intervertebral disc degeneration, one may not feel symptoms, and severe pain is usually absent. However, as the degenerative process continues, that is the time one will experience low back discomfort.
There are activities and involuntary movements that trigger the pressure on intervertebral disc such as bending forward, sitting, sneezing and coughing. These activities can elevate the pain on people suffering from discogenic low back pain. Radiculopathy, which can include leg pain that resulted by applying pressure on the nerves of one's lower back, is also associated with discogenic low back pain.
In diagnosing if one has a discogenic ailments, a physician may do a discography, which is a procedure wherein discs that are thought to be the cause are injected with a contrast dye to be seen under fluoroscopy. This procedure will allow the physician to assess the discs by knowing their shape and size. Similarly, the injection of contrast dye may reveal the pain pattern of the sufferer that will help pinpoint which disc is the source of the pain.
3.) Non-Surgical Treatment for Discogenic Low Back Pain
It is important to emphasize that surgery is not the only option in treating discogenic low back pain. Non-surgical treatments that are heralded by many doctors as effective are available.
One of non-surgical treatments available is physical therapy. This includes transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound and forms of massage are used in combination to relieve pain. Strengthening exercises for the lower back and abdominal muscles and stretching are applied in physical therapy.
4.) Back Support & Its Benefits
Back braces have been found to be effective tools in relieving pain and aiding the recovery of a low back pain sufferer. Back braces help alleviate the pain in the back area significantly and this should not be over looked. Many patients who have used back braces have seen a huge improvement in their situation. These supports can also foster proper posture to help speed up the recovery. Lumbar back supports are known to restrict certain movements that will further cause pain in your back. What is great about back braces is that they are created to give support directed to the lumbarsacral spine to help relieve the pressure off the lower back. Many physicians will also recommend them to the patient that have discogenic back pain. If you are interested in this alternative treatment and support, it is important to choose a back brace that is light and hardly noticeable when worn under a t-shirt then this conservative treatment option can really help you.
*This is health information. We obviously believe in the use of a well designed back supports, and our experience is positive with them. However, it is best to talk to your doctor about medical advice pertaining to your particular situation.
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