The lower back is a part of the body that is also referred to as the lumbar area. Among the functions of the lower back are providing structural support, facilitating body movement, and protecting body tissue. Pain in the lower back may result from various conditions which affect the bony lumbar spine, ligaments around the spine, intervertebral discs, lower back muscles, and the spinal cord. In most cases, lower back pain results from an injury related to strains or sprains caused by sudden movements or poor body posture when lifting heavy objects. However, lower back pain can also be caused by diseases such as sciatica, spinal cord cancer, or ruptured and herniated discs (Furlan et al., 2015). Hence, managing the pathophysiology requires extensive knowledge of its possible causes.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2019), eighty percent of adults experience lower back pain at a point during their lifetime. In most cases, the stated pathophysiology is a job-related disability, which tends to be a leading cause of absenteeism in workplaces. A survey conducted by the institution named above indicated that more than 25% of the adults that were interviewed reported to have experienced back pain within the previous three months. Both men and women are equally prone to lower back pain, which may range in intensity. A comprehensive analysis of the stated pathophysiology establishes that lower back pain is a leading disability cause, which accounts for more than 264 million lost workdays in the United States alone. The discomfort affects individuals across all ages, regardless of whether they are teens or elderly. Most back pain cases that are reported are mechanical, meaning that they are not caused by disease or severe medical conditions (Health Information, 2019). Thus, measures should be taken to mitigate the prevalence of the stated pathophysiology.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Normal Anatomy of the Lower Back
The anatomy of the lower back is characterized by the presence of the lumbar spine, which comprises of the ligaments, intervertebral discs, and posterior elements. The lumbar spine has five lumbar vertebrae that are located between the sacrum and thoracic spine, making up the part of the body that is referred to as the lower back. The lumbar vertebrae are the largest of all vertebrae in the body, a factor that enables it to fulfill its weight-bearing function associated with supporting the torso and head. Moreover, the lower back also has ligaments that attach bones and strengthen as well as stabilize the back. Tendons on the named part of the body connect bones to muscles, whereas the muscles in the lower back support spine movement (Allegri et al., 2016). Provided all the named components of the lower back are functioning normally, as discussed above, an individual experiences no back pain.
Normal Physiology of the Lower Back
The lower back is the region that is occupied by the five lumbar vertebrae, which mark the end of the spinal column. In the same area of the body is the sacrum, a triangle-shaped bone that is made up of five fused vertebrae. The coccyx is also part of the lower back, also known as the tailbone. The vertebrae on the lower back region are made up of the arch and body, with the arch being the part that aligns with vertebrae on upper parts of the back to form the spinal column. Between each vertebra, there are intervertebral discs that act as cushions. They are made up of cartilage, water, and collagen fibers, allowing them to perform their shock absorption function. Moreover, the lower back ligaments hold both the intervertebral discs and vertebrae together, to keep them in place and maintain their functionality (Sweeney et al., 2018). Similarly, if the parts named above are operating as stated, lower back pain will not affect the body’s functions.
Mechanism of Pathophysiology
Lower back pains result from mechanical issues associated with the operation of the spine, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. However, in other cases, the causes of the pain may be associated with infection by diseases such as kidney stones and appendicitis. In the case that an individual sprains their lower back, they are likely to experience lower back pain that results from overstretching or tearing a ligament on that part of the body named above. Additionally, in case a muscle or tendon tears on the lower back section, an individual experiences lower back pains called strains. Moreover, in an instance where the root of a spinal nerve is affected by either injury, compression or inflammation, a person can experience lower back pain that results from radiculopathy (Mertens, 2015). Thus, the disruption of the anatomy and physiology of the lower back results in pain.
If an individual experiences spinal stenosis, which results from the narrowing of the space around the spinal cord or increased pressure on the spine and its nerves, they are prone to back pain. The heightened pressure may cause both pain and numbness on the lower section of the back. Moreover, the intervertebral discs in the lower back may degenerate, resulting in increased friction between vertebrae. The latter may result in pain not only in the lower back but also in the legs, arms, and neck. Furthermore, when a woman is pregnant she becomes prone to endometriosis, a condition that is characterized by the growth of the tissue the lines the uterus in the lower abdomen, causing pain in the stated region (Mertens, 2015). Depending on the causes of lower back pain, relevant treatment measures can be implemented where applicable.
Prevention and Treatment of Lower Back Pain
Among the measures that can be taken to prevent lower back pain are eating healthy and maintaining body weight within standard parameters. Individuals can also exercise their back muscles regularly and maintain good posture when sitting. Moreover, when lifting, individuals should use their legs rather than backs, as well as avoid regular twisting and bending (Steffens et al., 2016). However, in cases that an individual is already experiencing lower back pain, among the treatment measures that can be implemented include icing one’s back as soon as they are injured to reduce inflammation. Additionally, after icing the back and reducing swelling, heat can be applied to ease the pain. Pain killers and muscle relaxers can also be ingested to reduce swelling and the discomfort that results from the pain. Furthermore, based on the doctor’s advice, an individual can use support from a girdle to ease lower back pain, or they may get physical therapy to build the strength of their lower back (Foster et al., 2018). The various treatment methods outlined can effectively relieve lower back pain depending on its cause.
Clinical Relevance of Analysis of Lower Back Pain
The analysis of lower back pain is clinically relevant because the majority of the population is likely to experience it at one point in their lives. Therefore, it is essential to understand its causes to allow the determination of the preventive measures that individuals can take. Additionally, knowledge of the root of the stated pathophysiology can facilitate the establishment of targeted treatment options that may ease the pain thereof fast and restore the well-being of the affected party.
Conclusion
The lumbar area of the body is vital because it supports both the head and the torso and facilitates their movement. Therefore, maintaining the functionality of the lower back should be prioritized because the pain in the stated region impacts the functionality of the body. An individual should take necessary preventive measures to mitigate the chances of being affected by lower back pain. However, in instances that back pain affects them, they can try home remedies of relieving the pain. If they do not work, the individual should seek assistance from medical practitioners, who can provide further diagnosis and offer more treatment options.
References
Allegri, M., Montella, S., Salici, F., Valente, A., Marchesini, M., Compagnone, C., ... & Fanelli, G. (2016). Mechanisms of low back pain: a guide for diagnosis and therapy. F1000Research , 5 .
Foster, N. E., Anema, J. R., Cherkin, D., Chou, R., Cohen, S. P., Gross, D. P., ... & Turner, J. A. (2018). Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions. The Lancet , 391 (10137), 2368-2383.
Furlan, A. D., Giraldo, M., Baskwill, A., Irvin, E., & Imamura, M. (2015). Massage for low‐back pain. Cochrane database of systematic reviews , (9).
Health Information. (2019). Back Pain Facts and Statistics. Retrieved 27 August 2019, from https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Back-Pain-Facts-and-statistics
Mertens, P., Blond, S., David, R., & Rigoard, P. (2015). Anatomy, physiology, and neurobiology of the nociception: a focus on low back pain (part A). Neurochirurgie , 61 , S22-S34.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2019). Low Back Pain Fact Sheet. Retrieved 27 August 2019, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/low-back-pain-fact-sheet
Steffens, D., Maher, C. G., Pereira, L. S., Stevens, M. L., Oliveira, V. C., Chapple, M., ... & Hancock, M. J. (2016). Prevention of low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA internal medicine , 176 (2), 199-208.
Sweeney, M. D., Zhao, Z., Montagne, A., Nelson, A. R., & Zlokovic, B. V. (2018). Blood-brain barrier: from physiology to disease and back. Physiological Reviews , 99 (1), 21-78.
