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Lower Back- Causes & Diagnosis
Lower Back- Causes & Diagnosis

Lower back pain is a common cause for doctor visits which affects people of all ages and levels of activity. An approximate 8 out of 10 people experience this musculoskeletal condition somewhere in their lifetime. This represents more sick leave and disability than any medical condition. Low back pain can be quickly written off; however, when the pain is a chronic disease it can have a serious effect on quality of life. You need to find out best doctors for back pain to get rid of these problems.

Lower Back Pain Causes

Low back pain may start unexpectedly. It may be the result of an accident or other heavy lifting. This can also evolve over time as a result of age-related changes to the spine, illness, or a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, a particular back injury or disease that may cause lower back pain is not always visible. This does not however avoid or treat lower back pain.

Low back pain is most often caused by damaged or overuse of the joints, muscles and ligaments. This is common for players who indulge in sports where movement is repetitive. Pressure on nerve roots in the spinal canal can intensify pain. This distortion may be caused by a herniated disk, which may result from a sudden movement, or may be caused by repetitive vibration or motion. Weight lifters and people whose occupations include assembly line forms of repetitive actions are commonly seen.

Osteoarthritis can grow as humans’ age. If the small facet joints in the spine are affected by osteoarthritis, it can lead to backache. Osteoarthritis may cause you to slump or adjust the way you walk in other joints, such as the hips. This can lead to low back pain, as well. Ankylosing spondylitis, Spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, compression fractures are other disorders that may lead to low back pain.

Diagnosing the Cause of Lower Back Pain

Kidney issues, issues with the ovaries, cancers, infection or even pregnancy may cause lower back pain. It's important to see a doctor to rule out these conditions – particularly if you can't point to a particular injury as the source of your low back pain. In addition to conducting a physical exam, the pain specialist may want to run tests to determine precisely where the pain originates from. Such examinations may include spinal X-rays, MRI or CT scans, or studies of the nerves. He or she may ask you about any personal history of arthritis or spine injuries, back pain in your family history and everyday routines and movements.

Managing Lower Back Pain

The pain doctor can speak with you about the expectations and prescribe solutions for lower back pain management after a comprehensive review. Treatment plans with a physical therapist can include medicine, advanced stretches for back pain, or lower back strength training with. In complex cases, it may be advised to take nerve stimulators or minimally invasive procedures. Continued treatments may include heat / ice therapy, physical therapy, and other alternatives. And since chronic pain also impacts mood, it may be advised to use cognitive-behavioral therapy to help teach patients effective coping strategies to cope with anxiety, depression and irritability.

You can visit Neuroscience Specialists if you wish to consult your problem with the best doctors for back pain in OKC.

**Information presented here is not intended to be qualified medical advice. Nothing expressed herein creates a doctor-patient relationship.