Posts Tagged ‘Bones And Joints’
Coping With Pregnancy Back Pain
The reasons for back pain during Pregnancy are understandable. Many revolutionary changes, mind level and physical, happen with the woman, during this period. Therefore, pain in the back during this time is a common compliant. More than 50% of the Pregnant Women suffer from it.
The main reason being, the extra weight of the baby which changes the center of gravity of the mother’s body causing back ache. Hormonal changes during the early part of the pregnancy other contributory factors for the back pain. The other characteristics of pregnancy such as loosening ligaments between the pelvic bones and joints in preparation for the birth of the baby and urinary infection also contribute to back pain.
You need to distinguish between back pain and severe back pain in a pregnant woman. If it is severe back pain, it may be a pointer to some other serious types of problems. This requires thorough investigation and treatment.
The cure for back pain during pregnancy lies not in medications but in exercising. Try to keep the right posture, avoid artificial strain, walk properly, maintain good body mechanics, avoid slouching, use a lumbar cushion or a pillow and do appropriate muscular exercises in consultation with your physician or physiotherapist. Most of the back pain problems are resolved thus.
Know and practice certain practical hints. Frequently change the sitting position and do avoid standing for long periods. You need to take proper rest and sleep adequately. Never wear high-heeled shoes. Use flat shoes only. High-heeled shoes create back pain, even in the normal course without pregnancy. To walk on those shoes in pregnancy is both dangerous and harmful.
Yoga is helpful and good at all times, for men and women of all ages. But during pregnancy its practice cannot be overemphasized. No doubt the regular practice of yoga will make the body of the pregnant woman healthy and strong. Still, the woman should consult a professional yoga teacher to know the safe and helpful asanas for her during the pregnancy. Many special maternity classes are conducted by the yoga professionals to teach yoga postures which are beneficial and easy to practice during pregnancy. Reportedly such exercises help in the process of normal delivery of the baby.
So, if you have back pain during pregnancy, do not consider it as a disease. Do consider it as a natural development, and try to meet it as a development in the natural course. Do not be stressed. Delivery is normal process of the creative force of the nature. So, there is nothing to worry as such about the back pain during pregnancy.
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/coping-with-pregnancy-back-pain-85420.html
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Stenosis – Back Pain Test
Stenosis Back Pain originates in the spinal canal itself. Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, and compresses the nerves inside it. This compression of the nerves can lead to stenosis Back pain, numbness in the legs, and the loss of bladder or bowel control. If left untreated, stenosis Back Pain can eventually become paralysis.
It is estimated that approximately 400,000 Americans currently have spinal stenosis back pain. That number is expected to increase as Baby Boomers age.
Defining Stenosis Back Pain
You probably know that the spinal column protects your spinal cord, a bundle of nerves, from being injured. In spinal stenosis, the spine narrows in one or more of three places: space at the center of the spine; canals where nerves branch outward from the spine itself; a space between the spine’s bones (vertebrae).
Stenosis back pain occurs when the narrowing puts pressure on the nerves inside the spinal column. Although this can occur in younger people, it is most often a complaint of those over 50 years of age.
Causes of Stenosis Back Pain
Spinal stenosis back pain can be caused by a number of factors.
1. Age is a primary factor. As we age, bands of supportive tissue in the spine may harden and thicken. Our bones and joints may enlarge as they age. We may get bone spurs on the spine – places where bone surfaces bulge outward.
2. Arthritis is another cause of spinal stenosis and accompanying stenosis back pain. Either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may be to blame. Osteoarthritis is the more common of the two. This type of arthritis usually is seen in middle-aged and older people, and does not go away. Osteoarthritis can cause the bone spurs described above. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually seen in younger people, and is not usually a cause of spinal stenosis back pain.
3. Inherited factors may also lead to stenosis and stenosis back pain. Some genetic conditions, such as a small spinal canal or curved spine, can cause spinal stenosis.
4. Other causes for your stenosis back pain could include calcium deposits, fluoride accumulation, or injuries.
Symptoms of Stenosis Back Pain
Stenosis back pain usually occurs in the neck or back. In addition to the stenosis back pain, you may feel pain down one leg, or numbness, weakness, cramping, and pain in legs or arms as the nerves are compressed.
Stenosis Back Pain Test Problem
The problem with tests for spinal stenosis is that the conditions shares symptoms with so many other disease. The result has too often been costly misdiagnoses and unnecessary back surgery, according to Andrew Haig, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical School.
The following 3 tests are used to diagnose the cause of stenosis back pain.
1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -radio waves to picture the spine
2. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) – X-ray series to picture the spine
3. Electromyogram (EMG)- a test that not only gives a picture of nerves, but also tests nerve function, showing if there is actual nerve damage
Best Stenosis Back Pain Test
Of the three, the oldest, Electromyogram (EMG) has been found to be the best. This test has been around as long as, or longer than the Baby Boomers themselves, but a study published in the January 2006 issue of “Spine” shows that it is by far the best of the three tests.
That study, done by the University of Michigan Health System, shows that the EMG test accurately determines the cause of stenosis back pain. As a result, low back pain is less likely to be misdiagnosed, as are other common neuromuscular conditions with similar symptoms. Back surgery undertaken to cure misdiagnosed stenosis back pain can be avoided with this stenosis back pain test.
Tests done in the U of M study by Dr. Andrew Haig and his colleagues showed a substantial difference between those who have spinal stenosis and those with other types of back pain. It showed that use of the EMG allows experts to clearly distinguish between spinal stenosis and low back pain.
“Most doctors think of EMG as a simple test and incorrectly believe that it is sensitive for nerve damage, but cannot differentiate spinal stenosis form neuromuscular disease,” explains Haig. “But as this study shows, that’s not the case. In fact, EMG is an excellent test for spinal stenosis and other neuromuscular disorders using strict evidence-based criteria.” (Spine, Vol. 30, No. 23)
Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/stenosis-back-pain-test-122606.html
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