back pain

1
Back Pain
2
Introduction

• If you are suffering from back pain, you are not
  alone. It is estimated that 25 of the people in
  United States suffers from back pain at any given
  time. Back pain can be acute, recurring or
  chronic. Back pain can be caused by
• Degenerative disk disease
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Fractures
• Herniated disc
• Osteoarthritis and osteoporosis

3
Degenerative disc disease

• Our spine is made of 33 vertebrae that are
  stacked up on top of one another. There is a
  rubbery piece of cartilage between these
  vertebrae and is called the intervertebral disk.
• Imagine disk as a tire with gelatin kind of
  substance on the hole of the tire. The tire
  (outer part) is called the annulus and the
  gelatin type of substance is called the nucleus.
• As we age, or due to some injury, wear and tear
  occurs and we start to lose gelatin type of
  substance and hence the volume of the disk
  decreases. As a result, the space the vertebrae
  decreases and the disk becomes flatter and less
  flexible .
• When the rough surface of the vertebral joint rub
  together, inflammation occurs and may feel pain
  as the nerves get compressed or irritated. It may
  occur throughout the spine or may confine to one
  disk.

4
Degenerative disc disease symptoms

• People who have degenerative disk in the neck
  usually feel pain in the arm, shoulder or neck
  region. A degenerative disk in the low back might
  cause pain in the back, buttocks or legs. Most
  often back pain gets aggravated by sitting,
  bending and reaching. The symptoms are at its
  peak in the morning or it worsens by continuous
  sitting or standing. In several cases, since the
  nerve gets compressed, it may lead to numbness,
  tingling and even weakness in arms and legs.

5
Spinal Stenosis

• Spinal occurs when the spinal canal narrows, and
  as result, the nerve roots/ the spinal cord get
  compressed. This will result in pinching of nerve
  root/spinal cord which leads to pain, numbness,
  weakness and cramping.
• Depending up on the area where the spinal
  stenosis occurs, the symptoms can be felt in the
  lower back and legs, neck, shoulder or arms.
• Typically, a person with spinal stenosis
  complains severe pain in legs calves or lowers
  back while standing or walking .Usually walking
  up or down a hill aggravates the pain. The pain
  is often relieved by sitting or leaning forward.

6
Herniated Disc

• As mentioned in the degenerative disk disease the
  disc becomes flatter and rigid as we age. This
  make is most susceptible injury. In some case the
  gelatin type of the substance (nucleus) can push
  through the rubbery part and can create crack on
  the rubbery part (annulus).
• Thus herniation or rupture occurs. When the disc
  bugle and come out its normal boundaries it may
  pinch the spinal nerves or spinalcord. Symptoms
  may include tingling, pain or numbness or
  combination of any at back, buttocks or legs.
• You may find standing comfortable than sitting.
  Certain activities such as bending and reaching
  can worsen the pain.

7
Osteoarthritis

• Herniated disc causes narrowing of the spine.
  This will put strain on joints, cartilage and
  ligaments. The narrowing of the disc may result
  in the decreased space between the spinal
  joints(facet joints).Since the shape of the disc
  has change, it puts more weight bearing forces on
  the spinal joints. This may result in the wear
  and tear of the cartilages which covers the
  joints.
• Ultimately, the bone comes in to contact with one
  another which causes enlarged joints, stiffness,
  pain and inflammation.
• Our body tries to repair itself by growing new
  bones and is called bone spur. This results in
  narrowing of the spine and may result in the
  symptoms like pain, burning sensation, numbness
  or tingling.

8
Osteoporosis

• Osteoporosis occurs when the bones become porous.
  As result, the bones density decreases, become
  weaker and deformity of the bones occurs. It is
  very important as bones become vulnerable to
  fractures. It can cause spinal compression
  fracture of upper back or thoracic spine

9
What if you have any of these conditions?

• If you are diagnosed with any of these
  conditions, physical therapy can help you. At
  Maya Physical Therapy, which serves Davie, Cooper
  city and Hollywood has the most experienced
  physical therapists that are specialized in
  treating back pain. Give it a try and see the
  difference!