Tag: herniated disc

back pain

WHAT CAUSE MUSCLE SPASM ON THE BACK?

S Bara

In general, most back muscle spasms occur because of the following reasons:

(1) The muscles are trying to protect themselves from muscle strain

A back spasm can occur after any type of strain or injury to the soft tissues (muscles, tendons or ligaments) in the spine. This type of soft tissue injury typically heals enough within a week or two for the muscle spasms to stop.

(2) The muscles can spasm in response to an underlying anatomical problem

If your back spasm does not get better in 1 to 2 weeks, or it comes and goes overtime in the same area of your back, you may have an underlying anatomical problem in your spine. Some examples of underlying issues that could cause your back to spasm include:

  • Facet joint osteoarthritis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Herniated disc

When these or other underlying anatomical problems are present in the spine, muscle spasms are likely to keep recurring due to ongoing inflammation or instability. It is important to seek medical attention to treat the underlying cause of your symptoms, rather than just treating the symptoms. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/

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back pain, Back pain after bending over, Back pain after exercise

5 REASONS FOR BACK PAIN AFTER BENDING OVER

S Bara

(1) Muscle spasms

Muscle spasms or cramps are quite common. They can happen at any time of the day, but especially during exercise or in the days following a workout. They are commonly caused by muscle overuse, nerve compression, lack of blood flow, dehydration.

Muscle spasms in the lower back often occur when you are bent over and lifting something, but they can happen during any movement involving your lower body.

(2) Strained muscle

A strained or pulled muscle occurs when a muscle is overstretched or torn. It’s commonly caused by overuse, physical activity, lack of flexibility.

(3) Herniated disc

The spine is made up of many parts including spinal discs and vertebrae. If a disc slips, it means that the soft center of the disc has bulged out, which can irritate the nearby spinal nerves. A slipped disc may be accompanied by severe shooting pain.

(4) Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is caused by an injured vertebra shifting or slipping forward on the vertebra directly below it. More likely in younger people who participate in sports like gymnastics and weightlifting, spondylolisthesis is often the result of untreated spondylolysis. Spondylolysis is a stress fracture or crack in the small, thin portion of the vertebra that connects the upper and lower facet joints.

(5) Arthritis

Lower back pain may be the result of arthritis. Your joints are protected by cartilage, and when your cartilage deteriorates, it can cause pain and stiffness. There are many different types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis.

The back pain you are feeling when you bend over is likely due to a muscle pull or strain. It could, however, be something more serious such as a herniated disc. If you are experiencing severe back pain, blood in urine, changes in bowel or bladder habits, pain when you lie down, or fever, you should get medical help right away.
If your back pain does not go away or improve over time, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a full diagnosis. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/

back pain, Pain between shoulder blades

BACK PAIN BETWEEN SHOULDER BLADES (INTERSCAPULAR PAIN)

S Bara

Possible causes of back pain between shoulder blades https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/shoulder-pain/:

(1) Shingles
Depending upon which nerve roots the virus affects, shingles can cause pain nearly anywhere in the body and may occur well before a rash is noticed. The pain may be most pronounced in the region between your shoulder blades but tends to concentrate on one side of your body.

(2) Epidural anaesthesia
People who have an epidural for labour or a C-Section sometimes experience intense interscapular pain. This pain resolves when the drip is slowed down and this pain goes away after labour.

(3) A vertical compression fracture in the thoracic region.
Compression fractures, often due to osteoporosis, may cause interscapular pain.

(4) Scoliosis
Scoliosis of the thoracic spine may cause pain between shoulder blades.

(5) Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary emboli occur when clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis) break off in the leg and travels to the lungs. The pain is often sudden in onset, sharp and may be associated with severe shortness of breath, although sometimes people notice only mild discomfort.

(6) Acid Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux (acid reflux) may cause referred pain to the back in the region between the shoulder blades. Other symptoms include chest pain, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing.

(7) Nerve entrapment
Nerve entrapment on rhomboid muscles can cause pain between the shoulder blades.

(8) Gallbladder disease
Referred pain from gallbladder disease often occurs as a stabbing pain between the shoulder blades and may be associated with pain on the right upper quadrant of the abdomen and nausea.

(9) Muscle strain
The most common cause of pain between the shoulder blades is a muscle strain. This can result from poor posture (especially leaning forward with prolonged sitting or standing), excess lifting and activities that involve twisting.

(10) Trauma
Example of this is trauma on the shoulder.

(11) Arthritis
Arthritis in the neck or even the ribs may cause interscapular pain.

(12) Herniated or Bulging Discs

(13) Heart Attack

(14) Cancer
Lung cancer can cause referred pain between the shoulder.

slipped disc

How long does it take for a slipped disc to heal? Can a herniated disc heal itself?

S Bara

How long does it take for a slipped disc to heal?

Most people with a slipped disc respond well to conservative treatment. Within six weeks their pain and discomfort will gradually lessen.https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/slipped-disc/

Can a herniated disc heal itself?

The answer is little more complicated that a simple yes or no. The pain of herniated disc can resolve without medical intervention, but it does not mean the disc problem has healed. Symptoms of a herniated disc may resolve on their own due to a number of reasons such as:

  • immune system reaction
  • exercise benefits
  • water absorption

The three factors above may relieve pressure on the nerve but don’t resolve the herniation. This can mean there may be a continuing nerve pain which may require medical intervention. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lumbar-decompression-surgery/

sciatica, slipped disc

SCIATIC PAIN OR PAIN FROM SLIPPED DISC. HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

S Bara

Sciatica pain is often experienced as a shooting, searing pain that radiates down the back of the leg. Sometimes, numbness, tingling, or burning is felt along the nerve. Some people describe the nerve pain as electric-like. Conversely, sciatica symptoms may be experienced as more of a constant, dull pain. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sciatica

Slipped disc pain. Slipped disc is also called prolapsed or herniated disc. This pain may shoot into your arm or leg when you cough, sneeze or move your spine into certain positions. Numbness or tingling sensation may also be experienced. People who have a herniated disk often experience numbness or tingling in the body part served by the affected nerves. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/slipped-disc

sciatica

5 MAIN CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SCIATICA

S Bara

(1) Spondylosisthesis. As a result of an injury or a congenital condition, spondylosisthesis can be the most painful type of sciatica. It occurs when one vertebra pushes forward to the next vertebra, compressing the sciatic nerve and resulting in a remarkable stabbing pain.

(2) Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. This type of sciatica occurs with age, when the spinal canal grows narrow, resulting in a tendency to pinch the spinal nerves and causing pressure on the spinal cord itself.

(3) Piriformis Syndrome. Symptoms of piriformis syndrome are felt in the piriformis muscle found in the buttocks are of the body. Of the different types of sciatica, piriformis syndrome is the hardest one to diagnose primarily because it affected the muscle and therefore does not show up in x-rays.

(4) Herniated and Bulging Disc. A herniated disc and bulging disc are two of the more common types of sciatica, the root of which originates in the disc itself. A herniated disc happens when the nucleus pulposis or the jelly-like center of the disk leaks through a tear in annulus fibrosis. On the other hand, a bulging disc is the result of the nucleus pulposis bulging outward causing tension and pain.

(5) Additional weight during pregnancy, improper weight lifting posture and prolonged sitting can pinch the sciatic nerve or its smaller branched resulting in pain.