Low Back Pain
LOW BACK PAIN
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Pain across or one either side of the lower back that may or may not radiate down into the buttocks or the leg
- Pain may vary in intensity and be described as a dullache to a sharp stabbing pain
- Restricted ranges of motion and muscle spasms are possible
- Specific postures may ease the pain, but can also aggravate the pain if in a certain posture for a period of time
DEFINITIONS AND ANATOMY
Low back pain can have many causes:
Biomechanical Dysfunction of vertebrae
- When vertebrae misalign or subluxate they do not move in there normal patterns. This restricted movement places stresses on the joints resulting in a pain syndrome. This same misalignment or subluxation can cause swelling, that either pinches or stretches the nerve leading to pain.
Disc Disorders
- Disc are a soft material that creates a cushioning and spacing between each vertebrae
- Trauma, repetitive stresses, poor posture, muscle weakness can all create unequal pressures on the spine which cause vertebrae to misalign or subluxate causing possible pressure on the disc material causing it to be compressed and or stretched. This can make the disc material vulnerable to result in a herniation, bulge or rupture.
Uneven Leg Length
- Many misinformation exist on leg length discrepancies. The truth is that the most common cause of leg length discrepancy results from a misalignment of the pelvis. This creates a biomechanical dysfunction that either pulls the leg up or pushes it down.
- Excessive pronation of the foot also cause a medial rotation of the leg again causing a biomechanical dysfunction of the hip making the leg appear to be short.
- The last reason LLD happens is from previous fracture of the leg, knee injury or surgery, and arthritic degenerative changes.
Piriformis Syndrome
CAUSATIVE FACTORS
- Biomechanical abnormalities of the spine, pelvis, leg length discrepancy, all resulting in excessive stresses (see gait cycle)
- Asymmetry of normal foot function (fallen arches, hyper/excessive pronation, supination)
- Weakness of core muscles especially the extensor mechanism
- Leg length descrepancy
TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS
- Use of ice to control pain and reduce swelling and inflammation
- Stretching the low back musculature including hamstrings, quadriceps, and glutes.
- Consideration of appropriate shoes to match foot types and stabilizing orthotics to allow normal foot function.
- Have an analysis of your gait cycle (running and walking) by a biomechanical specialist. (See OPTOGAIT)
