What is back pain?

 

 1.      Degeneration

The rate of degneration is vary from people. Generally, the interverbral disc and joints will become unstable after aged 30, leading to back pain or sciatia caused by nerve compressions.





2.      Bone Projection / over-growth

Osteophytes (bone spur) form naturally on the back of the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In most cases, the spur are not the source of back pains. However, if the bone projections compress the adjunct nerves and suppress the blood supply to the nerve, the patients would suffer pain in running or standing position.

3.      Others

If back pain caused by tumor/ cancer or bacterial infections, patients may experience persistent pain in back, leading to insomnia and other associated syndromes.



Back pain - prevention
Exercise is an effective way to strengthen your muscles. The strong muscles can help to maintain a correct position of spine. Low-impact activities can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.


Back pain - treatment

1.      Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.

Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise.

Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy


Misconception:

Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.


Medication

Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.


Surgery

Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:



i.                    Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain

ii.                  Incontinence caused by nerve compression

iii.                Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression

iv.                No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment.








references: www.ispine.com.hk/
It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

What is back pain?

 

 1.      Degeneration

The rate of degneration is vary from people. Generally, the interverbral disc and joints will become unstable after aged 30, leading to back pain or sciatia caused by nerve compressions.





2.      Bone Projection / over-growth

Osteophytes (bone spur) form naturally on the back of the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In most cases, the spur are not the source of back pains. However, if the bone projections compress the adjunct nerves and suppress the blood supply to the nerve, the patients would suffer pain in running or standing position.

3.      Others

If back pain caused by tumor/ cancer or bacterial infections, patients may experience persistent pain in back, leading to insomnia and other associated syndromes.



Back pain - prevention
Exercise is an effective way to strengthen your muscles. The strong muscles can help to maintain a correct position of spine. Low-impact activities can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.


Back pain - treatment

1.      Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.

Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise.

Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy


Misconception:

Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.


Medication

Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.


Surgery

Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:



i.                    Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain

ii.                  Incontinence caused by nerve compression

iii.                Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression

iv.                No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment.








references: www.ispine.com.hk/
It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

What is back pain?

 1.      Degeneration

The rate of degneration is vary from people. Generally, the interverbral disc and joints will become unstable after aged 30, leading to back pain or sciatia caused by nerve compressions.

 

 

2.      Bone Projection / over-growth
Osteophytes (bone spur) form naturally on the back of the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In most cases, the spur are not the source of back pains. However, if the bone projections compress the adjunct nerves and suppress the blood supply to the nerve, the patients would suffer pain in running or standing position.

3.      Others

If back pain caused by tumor/ cancer or bacterial infections, patients may experience persistent pain in back, leading to insomnia and other associated syndromes.



Back pain - prevention
Exercise is an effective way to strengthen your muscles. The strong muscles can help to maintain a correct position of spine. Low-impact activities can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.


Back pain - treatment

1.      Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.

Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise.

Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy



Misconception:

Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.






Medication

Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.



Surgery

Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:



i.                    Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain

ii.                  Incontinence caused by nerve compression

iii.                Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression

iv.                No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment.








references: www.ispine.com.hk/
It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

What is back pain?

1.      Degeneration

The rate of degneration is vary from people. Generally, the interverbral disc and joints will become unstable after aged 30, leading to back pain or sciatia caused by nerve compressions.

2.      Bone Projection / over-growth

Osteophytes (bone spur) form naturally on the back of the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In most cases, the spur are not the source of back pains. However, if the bone projections compress the adjunct nerves and suppress the blood supply to the nerve, the patients would suffer pain in running or standing position.

3.      Others

If back pain caused by tumor/ cancer or bacterial infections, patients may experience persistent pain in back, leading to insomnia and other associated syndromes.  

Back pain - prevention

Exercise is an effective way to strengthen your muscles. The strong muscles can help to maintain a correct position of spine. Low-impact activities can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.

Back pain - treatment

1.      Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.

Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise. 

Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy

Misconception:

Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.

Medication

Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.

Surgery

Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:

i.                    Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain

ii.                  Incontinence caused by nerve compression

iii.                Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression

iv.                No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment.

references: www.ispine.com.hk/

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

What is back pain?

1.      Degeneration

The rate of degneration is vary from people. Generally, the interverbral disc and joints will become unstable after aged 30, leading to back pain or sciatia caused by nerve compressions.

2.      Bone Projection / over-growth

Osteophytes (bone spur) form naturally on the back of the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In most cases, the spur are not the source of back pains. However, if the bone projections compress the adjunct nerves and suppress the blood supply to the nerve, the patients would suffer pain in running or standing position.

3.      Others

If back pain caused by tumor/ cancer or bacterial infections, patients may experience persistent pain in back, leading to insomnia and other associated syndromes.  

Back pain - prevention

Exercise is an effective way to strengthen your muscles. The strong muscles can help to maintain a correct position of spine. Low-impact activities can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.

Back pain - treatment

1.      Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.

Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise. 

Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy

Misconception:

Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.

Medication

Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.

Surgery

Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:

i.                    Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain

ii.                  Incontinence caused by nerve compression

iii.                Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression

iv.                No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment.

references: www.ispine.com.hk/

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

What is back pain?

1.      Degeneration

The rate of degneration is vary from people. Generally, the interverbral disc and joints will become unstable after aged 30, leading to back pain or sciatia caused by nerve compressions.

references: www.ispine.com.hk/

2.      Bone Projection / over-growth

Osteophytes (bone spur) form naturally on the back of the spine as a person ages and are a sign of degeneration in the spine. In most cases, the spur are not the source of back pains. However, if the bone projections compress the adjunct nerves and suppress the blood supply to the nerve, the patients would suffer pain in running or standing position.

3.      Others

If back pain caused by tumor/ cancer or bacterial infections, patients may experience persistent pain in back, leading to insomnia and other associated syndromes.  

Back pain - prevention

Exercise is an effective way to strengthen your muscles. The strong muscles can help to maintain a correct position of spine. Low-impact activities can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.

Back pain - treatment

1.      Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.

Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise. 

Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy

Misconception:

Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.

 Medication

Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.

Surgery

Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:

i.                    Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain

ii.                  Incontinence caused by nerve compression

iii.                Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression

iv.                No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment.

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

What treatments are available?

Treatments for chronic back pain can vary greatly depending on the type and source of the pain. If a treatable source of the pain is found, then the underlying process can be addressed. When the underlying cause is either not specifically identifiable or not amenable to treatment, then the symptoms are treated. The goals of the treatment are to reduce pain, improve quality of life and increase function.

There are several different general categories of treatment that are usually recommended for chronic back pain. These categories include physical therapy, medications, coping skills, procedures and alternative medicine treatments. The treating physician will tailor a program involving a combination of these options to address the patient’s needs. Involvement of a physician with special training in chronic pain management may be advisable in some cases.

Physical therapy includes patient education, and patient training in a variety of stretching and strengthening exercises, manual therapies and modalities (ice, heat, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation [TENS], ultrasound, etc.). Active therapies which the patient can continue on his or her own (such as exercise and strengthening) usually have the most permanent and long lasting effects. A home exercise program (HEP) is usually in place before the patient is discharged from therapy. Exercise and strengthening are designed to increase stability and strength around the structures in the back that are being stressed. These techniques also work to avoid deconditioning that results from decreased activity. Exercises are tailored specifically to the patient and the type of back pain being addressed.The goal of educating the patient is to prevent progressive loss of activity because of fear of movement.

Reference information: http://www.knowyourback.org, www.ispine.com.hk

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

Coping skills are extremely important in the management of chronic back pain.

Medications used for treatment of pain are multiple and varied. They fall into several different categories. Both non-narcotic and, rarely, narcotic pain medications may be used in the treatment of chronic back pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are helpful with pain control and may help reduce inflammation. Muscle relaxants can also help with chronic pain and may enhance the effects of other pain medications. Nerve stabilizing drugs (antidepressants and antiseizure medications) are used to treat nerve-mediated pain. All these medications have different side effect profiles and interactions, and should be carefully monitored by a physician.

Coping skills are extremely important in the management of chronic back pain. Chronic pain directly affects all areas of a patient’s life. Pain affects mood, and a patient’s mood affects his or her ability to cope with pain. Pain also affects how patients interact with other people. For this reason, teaching patients appropriate coping skills for dealing with anxiety, depression, irritability and frustration can be invaluable. Involvement of a trained pain specialist, psychologist or psychiatrist greatly enhances the treatment of chronic back pain.

Procedures ranging from minimally invasive injections to surgery may be used to manage chronic pain. Sometimes, implantable devices, such as a spinal cord stimulator, are beneficial in managing chronic pain. The patient, with the help of his or her physician, should discuss the potential risks and benefits of any procedures considered. A second opinion may provide additional information or alternative approaches to managing your condition.

Complementary medicine also offers a variety of treatments, often helpful in the treatment of chronic pain. These treatments include acupuncture, dry needling, nutritional therapy, use of magnets and many others. It is important for a patient to discuss these treatments with his or her treating physician, to ensure that there are no harmful effects and that they do not interfere with other treatments being prescribed.

Reference information: http://www.knowyourback.org, www.ispine.com.hk

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

Back pain Prevention

The prevention of back pain is, itself, somewhat controversial. It has long been thought that exercise and an all-around healthy lifestyle would prevent back pain. This is not necessarily true. In fact, several studies have found that the wrong type of exercise such as high-impact activities may increase the chance of suffering back pain. Nonetheless, exercise is important for overall health and should not be avoided. Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, and bicycling can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.

·        Specific exercises: Talk to your doctor about how to perform these exercises.

Abdominal crunches, when performed properly, strengthen abdominal muscles and may decrease the tendency to suffer back pain.

·         Although not useful to treat back pain, stretching exercises are helpful in alleviating tight back muscles.

·       The pelvic tilt also helps alleviate tight back muscles.

·        Lumbar support belts: Workers who frequently perform heavy lifting are often required to wear these belts. There is no proof that these belts prevent back injury. One study even indicated that these belts increased the likelihood of injury.

• Standing: While standing, keep your head up and stomach pulled in. If you are required to stand for long periods of time, you should have a small stool on which to rest one foot at a time. Do not wear high heels.
• Sitting: Chairs of appropriate height for the task at hand with good lumbar support are preferable. To avoid putting stress on the back, chairs should swivel. Automobile seats should also have adequate low-back support. If not, a small pillow or rolled towel behind the lumbar area will provide adequate support.
• Sleeping: Individual needs vary. If the mattress is too soft, many people will experience backaches. The same is true for sleeping on a hard mattress. Trial and error may be required. A piece of plywood between the box spring and mattress will stiffen a soft bed. A thick mattress pad will help soften a mattress that is too hard.
• Lifting: Don't lift objects that are too heavy for you. If you attempt to lift something, keep your back straight up and down, head up, and lift with your knees. Keep the object close to you, don't stoop over to lift. Tighten your stomach muscles to keep your back in balance.

Reference information: knowyourback.org, ispine.com.hk

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your personal physician.

Back pain?

Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues.

 Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than 3 months. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.

References:  www.ispine.com.hk

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

Back Pain Treatment

References:  www.ispine.com.hk

<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.      <!--[endif]-->Physiotherapy. It can be classified as active and inactive treatment.

Active – effectively strengthen the patient’s muscle through persistent specific exercise. 

Inactive – relieve pain in specific position through micro-current therapy

Misconception:

Many patients believe that reductions of physical activity can relieve their pain conditions, however, it is incorrect as physical acticity can help to strengthen your muscle and relieve the pain in long term. You are recommend to consult physiotherapy to personalize an exercise plan for you.

Medication

Depends on the severity of pain, orthopaedic doctor would prescribe oral medications for pain reliever. If needed or pain persist, orthopaedic doctor may recommend for intramuscular or percutaneous injections of nerve blocks to control your back pain.

Surgery

Orthopaedic doctor would recommend for orthopaedic surgery if needed, especially for patients suffering:

i.    Medications and physiotherapy treatments cannot manipulate the back pain

ii.   Incontinence caused by nerve compression

iii.  Progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression

iv.  No improvement of pain conditions after 4-6 weeks physiotherapy treatment. 

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

Back pain - Surgery & Physical therapy

A physical therapist can apply a variety of treatments, such as heat, ice, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and muscle-release techniques, to your back muscles and soft tissues to reduce pain. As pain improves, the therapist can teach you specific exercises to increase your flexibility, strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, and improve your posture. Regular use of these techniques will help prevent pain from returning.






Surgery
Types of back surgery include:

• Spine navigation surgery. It is a new techniques that can enhance the precision in the surgical regions, reduce the surgical time, reduce radiation exposures to patients and surgeon. Increase safety and accuracy through more precise screw placement and enables minimally invasive approaches.
• Partial removal of disk. If disk material is pressing or squeezing a nerve, your orthopaedics doctor may be able to remove just the portion of the disk that's causing the problem.
• Partial removal of a vertebra. If your spine has developed bony growths that are pinching your spinal cord or nerves, orthopaedics surgeons can remove a small section of the offending vertebra, to open up the passage.
• Fusion. This surgery involves joining two vertebrae to eliminate painful movement. A drawback to the procedure is that it increases the chances of arthritis developing in adjoining vertebrae.

Reference information: www.stryker.com

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.

Back pain Prevention

The prevention of back pain is, itself, somewhat controversial. It has long been thought that exercise and an all-around healthy lifestyle would prevent back pain. This is not necessarily true. In fact, several studies have found that the wrong type of exercise such as high-impact activities may increase the chance of suffering back pain. Nonetheless, exercise is important for overall health and should not be avoided. Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, and bicycling can increase overall fitness without straining the low back.

·         Specific exercises: Talk to your doctor about how to perform these exercises.

Abdominal crunches, when performed properly, strengthen abdominal muscles and may decrease the tendency to suffer back pain.

·         Although not useful to treat back pain, stretching exercises are helpful in alleviating tight back muscles.

·         The pelvic tilt also helps alleviate tight back muscles.

·         Lumbar support belts: Workers who frequently perform heavy lifting are often required to wear these belts. There is no proof that these belts prevent back injury. One study even indicated that these belts increased the likelihood of injury.

• Standing: While standing, keep your head up and stomach pulled in. If you are required to stand for long periods of time, you should have a small stool on which to rest one foot at a time. Do not wear high heels.
• Sitting: Chairs of appropriate height for the task at hand with good lumbar support are preferable. To avoid putting stress on the back, chairs should swivel. Automobile seats should also have adequate low-back support. If not, a small pillow or rolled towel behind the lumbar area will provide adequate support.
• Sleeping: Individual needs vary. If the mattress is too soft, many people will experience backaches. The same is true for sleeping on a hard mattress. Trial and error may be required. A piece of plywood between the box spring and mattress will stiffen a soft bed. A thick mattress pad will help soften a mattress that is too hard.
• Lifting: Don't lift objects that are too heavy for you. If you attempt to lift something, keep your back straight up and down, head up, and lift with your knees. Keep the object close to you, don't stoop over to lift. Tighten your stomach muscles to keep your back in balance.

Reference information: knowyourback.org, www.ispine.com.hk

It is not intended as medical advice to any specific person. If you have any need for personal advice or have any questions regarding your health, please consult your orthopedic doctors for diagnosis and treatment.