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Why is back pain so common?
This simple question is not so simple to answer. Whether the back pain is disc/neurological in origin or biomechanical in nature leading to arthritis, there are many factors that need to be evaluated to deliver a comprehensive prevention program.
More and more people lead a sedentary lifestyle. Increases in computer use at work and at home leads to more people sitting for longer periods of time. There is also the increase of working hours generally and a decrease in the physical activity offered to students in the schools. All this results in poorer physical conditioning of adults and children, as well as longer periods of time in a seated position. The combination of this allows for improper biomechanics of the lower back and poor muscular development (both strength and flexibility). These factors will lead to an increase in lower back pain now and in the future.
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Lack of education also plays a role. The general population spends very little time learning about their body. With that being the case, they then participate in physical activity, sports, and physical work around the house or cottage yet they don’t understand what puts stress on the back, therefore they don’t know how to prevent back injuries. |
What can be done to prevent back pain?
We need to expand our knowledge about how our bodies work. It is important to understand how the lower back works, what muscles need to be exercised to prevent back injuries, and what movements are bad for the back.
It is important to have a good work station if you are at a computer terminal.
It is important to know how to lift and carry objects (both light and heavy) if you do a lot of manual labour.
It is important to know proper stretching exercises to prepare your muscles for physical activity.
It is important to know how to exercise in a safe and efficient manner. |
If you do not have knowledge in this area, then consult the experts in these respective fields. The virtual epidemic of back pain has lead to an increase in professionals able to help you at work or at play. Ergonomic specialists, personal trainers, Certified Athletic Therapists, Physiotherapists, and Occupational Therapists all have an excellent knowledge of back biomechanics with a safe and complete approach to keeping your back healthy. |
What is the treatment for back pain?
The treatment protocols for back pain range anywhere from simple stretching exercises to surgery, depending on the signs, symptoms and the damage that has occurred. When your knowledge level is low, consult someone who is an expert in the field. Consult with an Osteopath, Physiotherapist, or a Certified Athletic Therapist who has experience treating back problems. They will evaluate the problem when it is still a minor and show you how to get your back into shape and how to keep it healthy. If the problem is already a major one, the professional that you consult will refer you to the right specialist for your problem to help get the problem properly diagnosed and taken care of. |
If surgery must be performed, it is equally important to work hard with your therapist afterwards to recondition your back so may return to your normal daily activities and any physical activity you can still do as quickly and safely as possible.
It is important to avoid the trap of listening to all of your friends who say, “Oh, I had the same thing, try this” chances are it is not the same thing and what they want you to try may not be advisable. Take the time and spend the money to consult with the professionals, it will pay dividends in the future. |
When I walk for long periods of time my ankles, knees, hips and back become painful.
This type of problem could be very complex. It is not common to have pain in all of these joints. There may be some underlying arthritic problem that should be evaluated properly by a physician. When that has been cleared then it is necessary to check out your general physical condition and work towards getting the whole body in better shape. |
When all the joints of the lower extremity are affected like this, sometimes the problem can be traced to poor biomechanics in the foot and ankle. People who have flattened arches “flat feet” often have excessive pronation in the foot and ankle. This inefficient movement can have repercussions on the rest of the leg, resulting in compensations that put more stress than desired in the other joints. Sometimes this can be corrected by putting a corrective shoe insert “orthotic” in the shoes. This orthotic will correct the biomechanical problem in the foot and ankle and allow the rest of the leg to work more efficiently, thereby relieving some of the excessive workload in the leg.
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I have shoulder pain when I play golf, what can I do?
This problem can be corrected in two ways. First have the shoulder evaluated by a physician to get a proper diagnosis. Then spend some time with your therapist (Certified Athletic Therapist, Physiotherapist) and get the appropriate treatment to alleviate the pain, restore the proper movement, and regain the normal strength and flexibility.
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You should also get in touch with a professional golf instructor to evaluate your swing mechanics and make the necessary corrections so as to alleviate any increased workload you may be putting on the shoulder during the swing. |
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ Syndrome)
Alternative Names:
temporomandibular dysfunction syndrome, myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome
Definition:
Temporomandibular joint syndrome affects the joint where the jawbone (mandible) connects to the skull (specifically the temporal bone).
The Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is formed by two bones called the mandible (jaw bone) and the temporal bone (bone of the skull located on the side of the head). There is a disc or “meniscus” between the two bones acting as a cushion and guide to help the joint function properly. There is one TMJ on each side of the head connecting in the region just in front of the ears.
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What is happening in my body?
The jaw joints perform an estimated 10,000 movements per day and are therefore subjected to a lot of wear and tear. Sometimes one or both joints can become inflamed causing a multitude of possible symptoms.
How would I know if I have this condition?
TMJ Syndrome may cause a wide variety of complaints such as:
- jaw and ear pain
- toothache
- hearing difficulty
- limited mouth opening
- locking (inability to fully open or close the mouth)
- a blocked sensation in the ears
- a clicking or snapping noise heard in the joint when the mouth is opened and closed
- grinding or “sandpaper” feeling with jaw movements
- headaches
- pain behind the eye
- spasm or pain in the muscles of the neck, cheek, side of the head
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What causes TMJ Syndrome?
Isolating the cause or origin of this condition can be difficult. Factors that may contribute to its onset include:
- misalignment of the jaw or occlusal imbalance (improper position of the upper and lower teeth as they come together)
- stress
- clenching or grinding of the teeth
- poor posture
- trauma to the face, head, jaw
- whiplash
- dental procedures (ex. Tooth extraction, poor adjustment of a crown, bridge or filling, etc.)
- habits (ex. Chewing nails, pencils, gum, pipe smoking)
- poor oral hygiene
- abnormal shape of the joint (usually congenital)
- birth trauma (use of forceps or suction may cause trauma to the cranium later creating problems)
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What can I do to treat this problem?
Treatment of this condition involves finding the source of the problem. Consulting with a dentist specializing in TMJ is a good start. The dentist may prescribe a dental appliance to help correct poor alignment of the jaw and teeth. Those who clench or grind the teeth may benefit from another form of dental appliance used during the night since this is often where people clench and grind the most. Relaxation therapy to control stress or the use of biofeedback to reduce habitual clenching and grinding may also help significantly. The use of Physical Therapy can help reduce inflammation, improve posture and treat the neck. Osteopathic treatments whereby gentle manipulations of the body to restore balance and reduce strain on the TMJ have been been shown to be effective. Specific exercises to control joint clicking, reduce joint strain and improve posture can be used alone or in coordination with other treatments to relieve symptoms and address the cause. |
Medications such as muscle relaxants, analgesics (pain control) and anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed depending on the patient. |
How do I know if I have TMJ syndrome?
The history and physical exam often make a healthcare provider suspect this condition. Blood tests and X-rays are often used to make sure more serious diseases are not causing the symptoms. No single test can confirm the diagnosis but dental x-rays can sometimes help make the diagnosis as well as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) . This test can show details that an x-ray cannot such as when examining the cartilage of the joint (meniscus) for displacement or tears causing locking or clicking. |
