Shooting Pain in Lower Back (Right Or Left Side) - Symptoms, Treatment and Pain Relief Methods

How is your lower back feeling these days?

Is your lower back a source of pain for you?

1.) Introduction

As we all get older, bone strength and muscle health tend to decrease. You may also suffer from lower back discomfort because of a bulging disc that has lost fluid and its overall flexibility. This can cause a decrease in the ability for your intervertebral to provide cushion to your spine. - These are just a couple ways in which you can develop back pain... In this article we will continue on with how back pain can come about and at the end we will provide you with a cost effective treatment plan that can honestly help you to reduce your back pain and promote healing.

2.) Sources of Lower Back Discomfort

Pain can be the result, for example improper body mechanics, which may result in overstretching of your muscles and ligaments. A sprain or a strain can result and you are now the proud owner of some serious back pain. - Moreover, if you rupture a disc, you will find that it can bulge outward. You may not be able to see this from looking at your back from the outside, but inside your bulging disc may put pressure on one of the 50 nerves that are rooted in the spinal cord. - Yes, you guessed it, this can cause problems. A pinched nerve can cause pain and it can also cause numbness or pain down one of your legs.

Other common contributors to low back discomfort can include:

• Obesity


• Smoking


• Stress


• Poor Physical Shape


• Bad Posture

3.) Age & Back Pain

You might be surprised to find out that the majority of people who are asked, indicate that they suffer from back pain at some point in their lives. Some resources say as many as 8 out of every 10 people are subject to these problems. Men and women seem to be effected at the same rate. - Moreover, people who are between the ages of thirty and fifty are said to get the most back pain out of any age group. This is due, in part, by a sedentary life style or an overly active lifestyle. The risk of developing lumbar back pain from a disc problem or degenerative issue does increase as we get older.

4,) Treatment Options That Can Honestly Work For You

One of the best ways to help reduce back pain is to use a low profile back support. Many physicians will request a brace for their patient because they can help reduce back pain and help to promote healing of an injured back. They can do this by helping to slightly increase intercavitary pressure which can effectively unload painful spinal structures. This is a proven biomechanical principal of quality lower back braces. They can also help to promote healing because they can help to restrict movements that will cause you pain and/or further your injury level. - Lastly, it is important to note that new versions of these back supports can be easily concealed by even just a t-shirt over the top of the brace. So, cosmetic issues are not even a concern.

If you have not tried using a lower back brace to help reduce your pain then you should look into using one today.

*This is health information. Although we believe in the benefits of back support, you should always consult your physician regarding health advice for your particular situation.

Back Pain Exercises to Strengthen Lower Back

If you were to have legal access to the records of every general practitioner across the United States, you would find that lower back pain is one of the most common reasons for visits to physicians. Studies show that about 60 percent of reported pain problems in the U.S. are lower back pain. Most such pain is relieved with treatment as conservative as over-the-pain medication.

Ask a physician for advice on the best treatment, and you will likely be told, "You need back pain exercises to strengthen lower back muscles."

What Kind of Back Exercise?

Stretching and strengthening back exercise is usually recommended. Hip rotations, rump lifts, and thigh pulls will stretch you back muscles. Alternate superman exercises, along with things such as "slippery heels', "high heels", and "brake pedals" will strengthen your back.

Instructions for these exercises are available from your therapist or online, and no equipment is necessary for performing them.

At the Gym

Our body's cores are often neglected, and need a program of regular back exercises to strengthen lower back muscles. We work on the front of the body, slimming, trimming, and building abdominal muscles, but we neglect the back. We use exercises to strengthen arm and leg muscles, but forget the back.

When you work out at the gym or health club, check how much time you spend working on abdominal muscle groups. Now schedule identical time for back exercise.

If your gym has a hyperextension table or bench, by all means use it regularly.

In Your Home

The back is vital to standing and sitting upright, and worth investment, if needed. You do not have to invest money, of course, but you may choose to invest in one or more of these four basic tools.

1. Exercise mat. A simple exercise mat is often all you need to keep yourself faithful to a regimen of back pain exercises to strengthen lower back muscles. Very inexpensive exercise mats are available in the sporting goods department of discount "box" stores. Cover your exercise mat with a towel to keep it clean, and throw the towel in your wash as needed.

2. Exercise ball. An exercise ball is also called a physio ball or a Swiss ball. They are available in fitness stores, sporting goods stores, and online. Exercise balls are a cost-effective solution for such things as balance, cardiovascular fitness, coordination, flexibility, neuromotor training, and strength. They can help you do several back exercises.

The exercise ball is a conservative treatment option for back pain sufferers. It will not only treat current pain, but will go far toward preventing future episodes of low back pain.

3. Roman chair. A roman chair is a type of hypertension bench. They are found in many health clubs or gyms, but investing in your own may keep you more faithful in doing vital back exercise.

Roman chairs do not look like chairs, and users are more likely to be on their stomachs than on their backs in roman chairs. They are great for back exercise, though. They are especially helpful for extension exercises, one of a number of effective back pain exercises to strengthen lower back muscles.

A roman chair should have a traction foot plate to help you position yourself securely while using it. For beginners, a 45 degree exercise angle will make it easier to perform back extension exercises. This will mean a less intense workout for you.

4. If you are determined to work your "abs" - and have a little more to spend on back exercise equipment, an "Ab and back machine" will give you the balance you need. An ab and back machine will place your body in the seated position, which is the most comfortable and safe position for back exercise coupled with ab exercise. Used straight forward, this machine will tighten and tone your abs, obliques and midsection. Rotate the action arm, and the machine provides back exercise.

All back exercise should be done in moderation, and any increases in repetitions should be gradual. This is not a competition, but a means of strengthening your back. If you rush back exercise, or overdo it, you may cause more problems than you had.

Remember, before starting a program of back exercise, consult a physician. There may be underlying physical conditions, such as hernias, that you would worsen by stressing muscles. In addition, medical problems such as coronary disease or diabetes may require your physician's specific observation.

Dealing With Lumbago and Lower Back Pain

Most people at some time in their life will experience lower back pain, which also known as Lumbago. Knowing what Lumbago is and some ways to help relieve the symptoms may save you from some painful days.

There are many different degrees of lower back pain that people with Lumbago suffer from. Some people may have severe pain which may need medical attention or some may have a constant ache. The pain may be intensified from such things as being overweight, damp or cold weather, having very bad posture, or the straining of the lower back muscles. Lumbago can also get worse the older and more unconditioned a person gets.

What is Lumbago

Lumbago is most often caused by the straining of the lower back muscles. This can occur from a sudden bending or twisting motion or from improper technique when lifting something that may be heavy. Sometimes the muscle strain to the may not be felt immediately and may come on gradually as the area tightens up. Since Lumbago is muscular in origin, there are ways that these symptoms can be reduced or alleviated. Such things as improving posture, reducing body weight, cardiovascular exercises, weight training, and stretching, are all techniques that can be done to prevent Lumbago.

What You Can Do

Low impact aerobics like swimming, bike riding, and walking will help build up your conditioning and help you lose those unwanted pounds. Begin with a regimen of 2-3 days a week of 15 minutes of light aerobic work. Gradually build yourself up to 30 - 40 minutes for 4-5 times a week and watch the results really start to kick in!

Strengthening the core muscles is crucial to preventing Lumbago. Having strong abdominal muscles will give support to your lower back. It is also important to strengthen the muscle of the lower back as having muscle balance of strong lower back muscles and strong abdominal muscles will give you the core balance needed to help prevent getting Lumbago. Your core is a natural girdle that straightens you up, pulls you in, and protects your lower back. Often people will want to work there abs everyday but one must remember that it should be treated like any other muscle group and not worked everyday. Working abs everyday will often lead to straining the lower back muscles especially if the exercises are not done properly.

Stretching exercises will give you a greater range of motion and increase your flexibility. When stretching, 10-15 minutes of moderate stretching is usually enough. It is important to stretch your hamstrings which are the muscles in the back of the upper legs. Having hamstrings that are loose and not tight will give your lower back a better range of motion. Having flexible hamstrings does not put the strain on your back muscles as tight hamstrings will. Stretching is another great way to help prevent Lumbago.

Having Lumbago can be devastating to a person's everyday life. Knowing there are some steps you can take to improve your posture, muscle strength and general fitness can lessen the symptoms and possibly prevent Lumbago.

Do You Need An MRI For Back Pain?

Given the difficulty of diagnosing back pain, patients are often eager to try every available diagnostic method. There is a popular idea among pain patients that MRI scans are a necessary part of diagnosis. For many reasons, this is a misconception.

The MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans use a large magnet to surround the patient with a magnetic field that excites the water molecules in his or her body. MRI films capture the image of these excited molecules and end up with an accurate, detailed picture of the patient's spinal anatomy. MRIs are more thorough than X-rays, which mainly show bones. MRIs show softer tissues, such as discs, nerves, muscles and ligaments as well as bones.

This kind of imaging test is a great advance in diagnostic science, allowing medical professionals to detect disc abnormalities, nerve obstruction, tumors and infections. However, for the typical back pain patient, MRIs may not be especially useful.

"Normal Abnormalities"

Some in the medical community have dubbed certain changes within the spine "normal abnormalities." This particularly applies to disc degeneration. Spinal discs wear with age and use. A variety of studies reporting the findings of spinal MRI scans have included people without back pain. Findings have varied, but disc degeneration was detected by scans in an average of about 30% of asymptomatic people. This means that an MRI may show a problem, but that the problem may not be causing your pain.

Uses

MRIs are very proficient at detecting disc and nerve abnormalities, but for most people, the cause of pain lies elsewhere. At least 80% of the population suffers from lower back pain at some point; for about 5%, the pain is caused by a disc problem with nerve impingement. MRIs also detect tumors and infections around the spine, but these are even rarer than nerve and disc problems. The type of pain you feel and the correlating symptoms you have should help to confirm or rule out discogenic pain, nerve impingement, spinal tumors or infections. Most commonly, the cause of back pain is muscle or ligament strain. This can take anywhere from days to a few months to heal with conservative treatment.

Cost

Nobody wants to sacrifice their health to save a few bucks, but the limited usefulness of the MRI combined with its cost can be taken together as reason enough not to rush into it. You can expect a scan to cost around $2,000, but much more or slightly less depending on where you live. Insurance companies don't always offer full reimbursements for MRIs.

MRIs are best reserved for people whose pain is not resolved by months of conservative treatment and those who immediately represent severe symptoms associated with nerve impingement, tumor or infection. If the medical professionals treating you don't order a scan right off the bat, it doesn't mean they aren't doing their jobs. If all they do is give you pain pills, however, it does mean they aren't doing their jobs. Diagnosis of back pain should involve a physical exam, questions about your medical history and, if no cause is apparent to the doctor, a trip to the physical therapist for a muscle balance check and to the chiropractor for alignment testing.

MRIs aren't needed by everyone, or even most people with back pain. As long as your doctor is taking other steps to understand the source of your pain, you don't need to rush the MRI.

The Hidden Cause of Neck and Back Pain

Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain complexities
Neck Pain and Lower Back Pain are the 2 most common forms of pain in the human anatomy, yet the cause of either can be complex at times due to so many different causes. One of those is often very difficult to diagnose, frequently overlooked, and is therefore labeled as a secret or hidden cause. That hidden cause or secret source of Neck Pain or Lower Back Pain is known as Facet Joint Pain or Facet Syndrome. Facet Joint Pain or Facet Syndrome, is a chronic pain syndrome or condition directly related to pain in the facet joints.

What is a Facet Joint and what is Articulation?
A Facet Joint is a posterior spinal joint that interfaces two adjacent upper and lower vertebrae together. Also known as a Zygapophyseal Joint, the Facet Joint provides for motion known as "Articulation" within defined ranges of motion. The articulation of a Facet Joint includes bending forward: flexion, bending backward: extension, and twisting: Cervical or Thoracolumbar rotation. The joint is stretched and unloaded during flexion and compressed or loaded upon extension. Facet Joints are also joint range limiters to prevent damage to spinal discs from excessive range of motion movements.

What is a Synovial Joint?
Zygapophyseal joints are Synovial Joints- the most common joint in the human body. A Synovial Joint is characterized by having a joint capsule, joint capsule fluid-synovial fluid to lubricate the inside of the joint, and cartilage on the outside of the joint between the upper and lower adjacent surfaces of each vertebra to allow a smooth gliding movement.

What is Facet Arthritis?
Facet Arthritis or Facet Arthropathy is a degenerative arthritis-facet joint inflammation that can be one of the syndromes of Zygapophyseal Joint Pain. Both chronic pain conditions can be caused by wear and tear, degeneration of the cartilage surfaces, joint capsule or associated vertebral discs, injury or trauma, incorrect posture-excessive forward head posture, or abnormal spinal curvature such as Hyperlordosis-excessive arch in the lower back.

Factors affecting Joint Movement
The Zygapophyseal Joint must be able to move smoothly without restriction. Zygapophyseal Joint Pain is often experienced when the joint becomes "stuck" or "fixated" in the open or closed position or in the partially open or partially closed position. The Zygapophyseal Joint Pain dysfunction can cause the muscles surrounding the problem to become hypertonic-extremely tight in order to "splint" or support the problem. Conversely, the musculature that surrounds the joint could have a problem that is causing the joint to become stuck open or closed, resulting in Facet Joint Pain.

What are some Facet Joint Pain causes?
Some causes of Zygapophyseal joint pain are: Wear and tear, Degeneration of Cartilage surfaces, Joint Capsule or associated Vertebral Discs, Injury or Trauma, Incorrect posture, Excessive forward head posture, Forward Pelvic Rotation, Abnormal spinal curvature, Hyperlordosis-excessive arch in the lower back, Scoliosis-Lateral Lumbar spinal curvature.

What are the Lower Back Facet Syndrome Symptoms?
Lower back facet joint pain symptoms include lower back pain or tenderness, increased pain upon side bending or twisting or arching the lower back or torso, deep dull aching pain that moves to the buttocks or the back of the thighs, and/or stiffness or difficulty with certain movements, such as standing up straight or getting up out of a chair. The initial onset of pain might be related to a rotational spinal injury or a spinal injury involving hyperextension of the spine.

What are the Neck-Cervical Facet Syndrome Symptoms?
Zygapophyseal Joint pain neck symptoms include Neck Pain, Headaches, Shoulder Pain, and/or difficulty side bending or rotating the head. Ensure that the Facet Joint Pain Assessment clearly indicates the pain scale for the associated problems. Find out if there is a history of whiplash or any other kind of neck injury.

Is the Facet Joint moving freely, or is movement restricted and if so, how?
That is one of the most important questions that needs to be answered. There is a special test known as the spring test which can test for basic joint movement.

What Exercises will help to relieve my Facet Joint Pain?
If excessive lower back curvature - Lumbar Lordosis, and hypertonic hip flexors and hypertonic lower back musculature is causing compression of the lumbar facet joints, stretching and strengthening exercises to reduce joint compression and help prevent joint fixation will be required to reverse the postural distortion that has occurred. If the cervical (neck) spine is affected by excessive forward head posture and hypertonic neck musculature, there are strengthening and stretching

Causes and Symptoms of Lower Back Pain

Most back pain has a simple physical cause such as inflamed or strained muscles, restricted joints, or pressure on nerves. It can keep recurring, and may not be helped by the routine conventional treatment or painkillers such as aspirin and paracetamol, or muscle relaxants and anti inflammatory drugs such as steroids.

Conversely simple things like applying heat and cold can help. A hot water bottle placed on the painful area can bring temporary relief, and so can a pack of crushed ice cubes. Hold the ice against the area immediately after injury to prevent tissue swelling. After a few days, alternating hot and cold applications can be most effective.

Acupuncture and massage, postural training and the manipulative work of osteopathy (this may mean manipulating the spine and surrounding tissue by gently twisting, pressing and pulling) and chiropractors often prove effective. They also give you an opportunity to take an active part in treating the problem yourself.
 
Nevertheless, always see a doctor before undertaking any treatment like this. If the back pain does not have a simple physical cause, but is just a symptom of something more serious, inappropriate treatment could be dangerous.
         
If conventional treatment fails- or if is not called for- many doctors are now willing to help you find a reliable natural practitioner.
 
Finally, although back pain is a physical ailment, psychological elements should not be overlooked. Stress and anxiety can contribute significantly to back problems, and you are more likely to damage or weaken your back if you and your back muscles are tense.

Two Common Causes of Lower Back Pain: Lumbar Muscle Strain and Lumbar Radiculopathy

How is your lower back doing right now?

Does the pain come and go, or is it constant?

1.) Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is one of the most common reasons cited for worker sick leave in the United States and Europe. Around 30% of workers in both the United States and Europe are affected by lower back pain. While the incidence of this condition may be attributed to a wide range of factors, two of its most common causes deal with lumbar strain and nerve irritation.

2.) A Muscle Strain

A low back muscle strain occurs when the muscle fibers are abnormally stretched or torn. Diagnosis of a lumbar strain usually takes into consideration the history of the injury, the location of the pain and taking steps to rule out nerve injury and bone abnormalities.

3.) Treatment of a Strained Lumbar Muscle

In treating a lumbar strain, it is recommended that the back be given a rest to avoid aggravation of the injury. Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen may be taken. Local heat application may also offer some relief. Performing reconditioning exercises will help to strengthen the lower back and the affected muscles. To avoid future injuries, it would be worthwhile to study and practice techniques for protecting the back, as well as use available back support devices. (Consult your physician first about any medications and exercises).

4.) Nerve Irritation

Another common cause of lower back pain is nerve irritation. The nerves of the lower back may become irritated if bones or tissues impinge on them due to mechanical pressure. This is what happens with lumbar radiculopathy.

When the outer ring of the vertebral discs degenerate due to wear and tear, or suffer physical trauma, the softer part at the center of the disc may rupture and extend through the outer ring of the disc, impinging on the spinal cord and the nerves. A sharp pain shoots out from the herniated disc from the lower back and extends down to the buttock and the leg. Movements at the waist, as well as coughing and sneezing, may increase the pain. The patient usually feels a radiating pain when the legs are lifted.

Further detection of the nerve irritation is done through electromyogram (EMG), nerve conduction velocity (NCV), computerized axial tomography (CAT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

5.) Treatment For Nerve Irritation

Treatment options for lumbar radiculopathy usually include medical management. Cortisone injection is applied around the spinal cord in addition to the taking of pain relievers. Physical therapy through the administration of heat, massage, ultrasound and electrical stimulation may also be used. For severe cases, it might be necessary to perform surgery.

6.) Braces For Support

Pain can be reduce when the proper lower back support is worn. It is important to contact your local, licensed orthotist for your brace needs when you have back pain for medical advice on orthotics for the spine.