Page 62 - December 2020

An article from a Chicago Lodge 7 Magazine sponsor
What are the causes of low back pain?
Are you having low back pain? You’re not alone — almost 80 percent of people will have significant low back pain at some point in their lives.
the best treatment options, and this will generally resolve with- in a few days without any intervention.
Another potential cause is degenerative disc disease. As we age, wear and tear on the disc can cause it to break down. The resulting thin, flat disc no longer provides proper spacing and cushioning of the vertebrae. Discs can also
The low back—five lumbar vertebrae as well as muscles, ligaments and tendons — carries the weight of the entire upper body, provides structure and protects the spinal cord.
Health and Wellness
tear, which is painful.
A herniated disc (also known as a bulging or slipped
DR. BALJINDER BATHLA
The vertebrae of the lumbar spine are separated by discs, which provide cushioning
and shock absorption. Muscles, tendons and liga-
ments add structural rigidity to the spine and allow it to serve as an anchor point for other muscles and joints of the body.
The good news is that almost 80 percent of low back pain will resolve on its own within 90 days. If it doesn’t, we can per- form effective medical treatments. Although back pain is rarely caused by any urgent or life-threatening condition, you should always seek medical help if the pain lasts more than a week or is very severe.
One of the more common causes of low back pain is myal- gia, or pain caused by a muscle strain or a pulled muscle, which may cause your back to lock up. This could be related to trauma but is more often due to overuse. Rest and stretching are often
disc) is a disc that moved from its normal place. The disc then pushes on a nerve root and causes pain, numbness, or weakness into the legs — resulting in radicular pain more commonly known as sciatica. The nerve roots that form the sci- atic nerve are pinched and cause severe, shooting pain down
the legs.
The low back is a series of joints and, as with any other joint in
the body, you can get arthritis. Arthritis in the low back occurs when the facet (spine joints) become inflamed and arthritic and is known as spondylosis. Arthritis can also lead to painful bone spurs — they result in pain with movement of the back, specif- ically bending back, and this is relieved when bending forward. Arthritic joints become larger due to inflammation, known as joint or facet hypertrophy. This enlarged joint can push into other structures of the low back, leading to painful conditions such as sciatica or spinal stenosis.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spinal canal or the bony ca- nal surrounding and protecting the spinal cord tightens on the spinal cord. This can result in painful pressure on the spinal cord and its terminal nerves. People often describe pain with walking but no pain once they are sitting down. These patients often lean on shopping carts.
Spondylolisthesis occurs when two vertebrae are no longer aligned properly. This is generally caused by continued stress on the low back and is commonly seen in weightlifters and gymnasts. It causes structural instability in the low back, which can lead to pain in the low back and legs.
Patients may have a severe sudden onset of pain from a fall which resulted in a spinal fracture. This is particularly common in patients with osteoporosis. A comprehensive medical work- up is very important in any person with a spinal fracture
A less common cause of low back pain is sacroiliac pain, caused by inflammation of the sacroiliac joint or the structures surrounding it. Piriformis syndrome can be a strain and in- flammation of the piriformis muscle with subsequent pressure on the sciatica nerve. Interspinous ligament strain, where you have a strain of the posterior ligament of the spine, is gener- ally caused by overuse and discitis (a bacterial infection of the discs).
Even less commonly, we do diagnose more serious causes of low back pain, such as spinal tumors. Therefore, any persistent or severe low back pain does warrant a comprehensive medical workup.
Dr. Baljinder Bathla is a pain management specialist who is dual boarded in both physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. He holds board eligibility in acupuncture as well. For more information about his practice at Chicago Sports & Spine, visit www.chicagosportsspine.com or call 312-623-7246.
62 CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ DECEMBER 2020