Lower Back Pains

Lower Back
Pains: Tips on
Pain Relief and
Prevention
MARILES A. RALLOS, RN
THE VERTEBRA
ANATOMY OF THE SPINE
ANATOMY OF THE SPINE
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPINE
• The cervical spine (neck)
- The neck supports the weight of the head and
protects the nerves coming from the brain to the rest of
the body.
• The thoracic spine (upper back)

- The firm attachment of the rib cage at each level of
the thoracic spine provides stability and structural
support to the upper back and allows very little motion.
The thoracic spine is basically a strong cage and it is
designed to protect the vital organs of the heart and
lungs.
PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SPINE
• The lumbar spine (lower back)
- The lower back has a lot more motion than the
thoracic spine and also carries all the weight of the
torso, making it the most frequently injured area of
the spine.
• The sacral region (bottom of the spine)
-Below the lumbar spine is a bone called the
sacrum, which makes up the back part of the pelvis.
This bone is shaped like a triangle that fits between
the two halves of the pelvis, connecting the spine to
the lower half of the body. The sacrum is connected
to part of the pelvis (the iliac bones) by the sacroiliac
joints.
What
causes
back
pains?
LOWER
BACK
PAINS
-
ACUTE PAIN or short-term low back pain
generally lasts from a few days to a few
weeks. Occasionally, pain felt in one part of
the body may “radiate” from a disorder or
injury elsewhere in the `body. Some acute
pain syndromes can become more serious if
left untreated.
CHRONIC PAIN in the back is measured by

duration pain that persists for more than 3
months. It is often progressive and the
cause can be difficult to determine.
CAUSES
■ Age
■ Muscle / ligament sprain,
strain or spasm
■ Nerve / muscle Irritation
■ Trauma / injury
■ Degenerative conditions
like herniated disk,
arthritis, osteoporosis
other bone diseases and
etc.
CAUSES
■ Congenital abnormalities
in the spine
■ Obesity and weight gain
during pregnancy
■ Poor physical condition
■ Poor posture
■ Poor sleeping position
■ Serious medical problem
Who is most likely to develop
lower back pain?
♦ Men and women
♦ Most likely, school -aged children
and ages 30 – 60 years old
♦ Sedentary lifestyles with too little
exercise AND those who exerted
much in sports and exercise
♦ Occupational hazards
What conditions are associated
with lower back pains?
Bulging disc (also called
protruding, herniated, or
Slipped disc).
The intervertebral discs are under
constant pressure. As discs degenerate
and weaken, cartilage can bulge or be
pushed into the space containing the
spinal cord or a nerve root,
causing pain
A: Exiting nerve root.
B: Inner Core of Disc
C: Torn Outer Core of the Disc
Degenerative disc
disease.
- As the disc
degenerates it can allow
small amounts of motion
in that segment of the
spine and irritate a nerve
root and cause sciatica.
Lumbar spinal stenosis.
-The spinal canal
narrows due to
degeneration, which can
put pressure on the nerve
root and cause sciatica.
Osteoarthritis.
- Degeneration of the
small facet joints in
the back of the spine
can cause back pain
and decreased
flexibility. May also
lead to spinal stenosis
and nerve pinching.
Isthmic
spondylolisthesis.
- A small stress fracture
allows one vertebra to slip
forward on another, usually
at the bottom of the spine.
This can pinch the nerve,
causing lower back pain
and leg pain.(slipped
vertebral body)
Osteoporosis
- a metabolic bone
disease marked by
progressive decrease
in bone density and
strength.
Skeletal irregularities
- produces strain on the vertebrae and
supporting muscles, tendons, ligaments,
and tissues supported by spinal column.
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Lordosis
KYPHOSIS LORDOSIS
SCOLIOSIS
How is low back pain diagnosed?
♠ Medical history and physical exam
♠ Diagnostic Exams
- Xray Imaging ( Conventional, Discography
and Myelogram)
♠ Computerized tomography (CT)
♠ Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
♠ Electromyography (EMG)
♠ Bone scan
♠ Ultrasound
How is lower back pain treated?
• Application of cold and hot compresses
- Relieves pain and reduces inflammation.

- Apply cold pack immediately after trauma
then several times a day up to 20 mins.

2-3 days after cold remedy, apply hot
compress for brief periods to relax muscles
and increase blood flow.
• Bed Rest
-You may need 1 to 2 days rest for a hurt

back. Resting longer than this can cause
your muscles to weaken, which can slow
your recovery. Even if it hurts, walk around
for a few minutes every hour.
The best position for
relief when your back
hurts is to lie on your
back on the floor with
pillows under your
knees, with your hips
and knees bent and
your feet on a chair, or
just with your hips and
knees bent. This takes
the pressure and
weight off your back.
EXERCISE
-Routine of back-healthy
activities may include
stretching exercises,
swimming, walking, and
movement therapy to improve
coordination and develop
proper posture and muscle
balance. Yoga is another way
to gently stretch muscles and
ease pain.
One is to gently stretch
your back muscles. Lie on
your back with your knees
bent and slowly raise your
left knee to your chest.
Press your lower back
against the floor. Hold for
5 seconds. Relax and
repeat the exercise with
your right knee. Do 10 of
these exercises for each
leg, switching legs.
MEDICATIONS
- are often used to treat acute
and chronic low back pain.
Effective pain relief may involve
a combination of prescription
drugs and over-the-counter
remedies. Patients should
always check with a doctor
before taking drugs for pain
relief.
Tips for preventing back strain
• Always stretch before exercise or
other strenuous physical activity.
• Don’t slouch when standing or
sitting. When standing, keep your
weight balanced on your feet.
Your back supports weight most
easily when curvature is reduced.
• At home or work, make sure your
work surface is at a comfortable
height for you.
• Sit in a chair with good lumbar support
and proper position and height for the
task. Keep your shoulders back. Switch
sitting positions often and periodically
walk around the office or gently stretch
muscles to relieve tension. A pillow or
rolled-up towel placed behind the small of
your back can provide some lumbar
support. If you must sit for a long period of
time, rest your feet on a low stool or a
stack of books.
• Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes.
• Sleep on your side to reduce any curve in your
spine. Always sleep on a firm surface.
• Ask for help when transferring an ill or injured
family member from a reclining to a sitting
position or when moving the patient from a
chair to a bed.
• Don’t try to lift objects too heavy for you. Lift
with your knees, pull in your stomach muscles,
and keep your head down and in line with your
straight back. Keep the object close to your
body. Do not twist when lifting.
• Maintain proper nutrition and diet to reduce
and prevent excessive weight, especially
weight around the waistline that taxes lower
back muscles. A diet with sufficient daily
intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D
helps to promote new bone growth.
• If you smoke, quit. Smoking reduces blood
flow to the lower spine and causes the spinal
discs to degenerate.
Call your family doctor if:
• Pain goes down your leg below your
knee
• Your leg, foot, groin or rectal area
feels numb
• You have fever, nausea or vomiting,
stomachache, weakness or sweating
• You lose control over going to the
bathroom
• Your pain was caused by an injury
• Your pain is so intense you can't
move around
• Your pain doesn't seem to be getting
better after 2 to 3 weeks
THANK YOU!!!

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Lower Back Pains

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Lower Back

• The thoracic spine (upper back)

CHRONIC PAIN in the back is measured by

- Relieves pain and reduces inflammation.

then several times a day up to 20 mins.

-You may need 1 to 2 days rest for a hurt

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