BACK PAIN & INJURY
Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine.
Eighty percent (80%) of people will experience lower back pain at some stage of their life. It is one of the most common reasons for people missing work and seeing a doctor or physiotherapist.
Most commonly, these back injuries are caused by muscular strains, ligament sprains and joint dysfunction, particularly when pain arises suddenly during or following physical loading of the spine.
Symptoms
Symptoms of back pain can include:
- Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the tail bone .
- Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back – especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity; (pain in the upper back can also be a sign of a heart attack or other life-threatening conditions.)
- Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods.
- Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes.
- Inability to stand straight without having pain or muscle spasms in the lower back
Causes of Back Pain
Mostly back pain causes are musculoskeletal in origin.
Most commonly, these back injuries are caused by muscular strains, ligament sprains and joint dysfunction, particularly when pain arises suddenly during or following physical loading of the spine. Other causes of back pain are :
- Bulging Disc
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Facet Joint Pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain)
- Pinched Nerve
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spondylosis (Spine Arthritis)
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Whiplash
- Wry Neck
Treatment of Back Pain
In most cases, people with mild to moderate upper back pain can manage their symptoms with:
- Pain medicines
- Heat or ice to reduce pain and stiffness.
- Exercise to stretch and strengthen the muscles of your back, shoulders, and stomach.
- Physical therapy
- Spinal manipulation
Low Level Laser Therapy Treatment for Back Pain.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is the application of red and near infrared light over injuries to stimulate cellular repair.
LLLT affect the
- Function of connective tissue cells (fibroblasts)
- accelerate connective tissue repair, and
- Act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Low-level laser therapy is used to treat both acute and chronic pain. The benefits of low-level laser therapy appear to be accumulative – it may take several treatments for the results to become evident.
You will be encouraged to move the affected area within range of movement/pain but not exert stretch or force during the healing phase.
The end result is resolution of inflammation and restoration of healthy tendons and local soft tissues. Once tissues are healed, pain is eliminated and normal range of motion and function is restored. Then muscle and tendon strength and flexibility can be addressed with graduated exercises and stretching.
LLLT has no known side effects, is safe and effective.