This is the most
common type of back pain. The majority of cases of sudden-onset (acute) low
back pain are classed under this name. This is the type of back pain that most
people will have at some point in their lives. It is called mechanical because
it is usually not clear what is actually causing the pain. In other words,
there is no specific problem or disease that can be identified as the cause of
the pain. The severity of the pain can vary from mild to severe.
What is the cause of mechanical low back pain?
Mechanical low back
pain means that the pain is not due to any specific or underlying disease that
can be found. It is thought that in some cases the cause may be an over-stretch
(sprain) of a ligament or muscle. In other cases the cause may be a minor
problem with a disc between two spinal bones (vertebrae), or a minor problem
with a small facet joint between two vertebrae. There may be other minor
problems in the structures and tissues of the lower back that result in pain.
However, these causes of the pain are impossible to prove by tests. Majority of
pain is there in patients who are having sitting job, lack of exercises and
improper diet.
To some people, not
knowing the exact cause of the pain is unsettling. However, looked at another
way, many people find it reassuring to know that the diagnosis is mechanical
back pain which means there is no serious problem or disease of the back or
spine.
Disc degeneration due to vitamin
deficiency ( Vit B12, Vit D3 ) is also one of the cause for mechanical low back
ache .
What are the symptoms of Mechanical low back pain?
Sometimes a pain
may develop immediately after you lift something heavy, or after an awkward
twisting movement. Sometimes it can develop for no apparent reason. Some people
just wake up one day with low back pain.
Although mechanical
back pain is sometimes called simple back pain, simple does not mean that the
pain is mild. The severity of the pain can range from mild to severe.
Typically, the pain is in one area of the lower back but sometimes it spreads to
one or both buttocks or thighs. The pain is usually eased by lying down flat.
It is often made worse if you move your back, cough, or sneeze. So, nonspecific
low back pain is mechanical in the sense that it varies with posture or
activity.
Most people with
mechanical low back pain improve quickly, usually within a week or so,
sometimes a bit longer. However, once the pain has eased or gone it is common
to have further bouts (recurrences) of pain from time to time in the future.
Also, it is common to have minor pains on and off for quite some time after an
initial bad bout of pain. In a small number of cases the pain persists for
several months or longer.
1.
Constant dull aching low back ache
2.
Usually not having radiation of pain in lower
limbs
3.
Usually not associated with tingling and
numbness
4.
Experience pain on sitting rather on standing
and walking’
5.
Usually no pain on standing and walking
6.
Sometimes severity of pain increases
What is the treatment for mechanical low back pain?
Keeping active
Continue with
normal activities as much as possible. This may not be possible at first if the
pain is very bad. However, move around as soon as you are able, and get back
into normal activities as soon as you can. As a rule, don't do anything that
causes a lot of pain. However, you will have to accept some discomfort when you
are trying to keep active. Setting a new goal each day may be a good idea. For
example, walking around the house on one day, a walk to the shops the next,
etc.
Also, sleep in the
most naturally comfortable position on whatever is the most comfortable
surface. Advice given in the past used to be to sleep on a firm mattress.
However, there is no evidence to say that a firm mattress is better than any
other type of mattress for people with low back pain. Some people find that a
small firm pillow between the knees when sleeping on the side helps to ease
symptoms at night.
If you have a job,
aim to get back to work as soon as possible. There is no need to wait for
complete freedom from pain before returning to work. Returning to work often
helps to relieve pain by getting back to a normal pattern of activity and
providing a distraction from the pain.
Medication
If you need painkillers, it is best
to take them regularly for short time… This is better than
taking them now and again just when the pain is very bad. If you take them
regularly the pain is more likely to be eased for much of the time, enabling
you to exercise and keep active.
Anti-inflammatory medicines
Physiotherapy
1. Modalities
2. Most important is
exercises , one should do exercises as advised by physiotherapist , at least
twice a day for 20 mins each.
Pain Block – Facet Blocks..
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