Without a doubt, a common ruin of adulthood is experiencing lower back pain and other exceeding joint conditions. It is true that adulthood ultimately mirrors the aftermath of certain experiences, special challenges, and habits we often encounter in our youth. Nevertheless, a bombshell about lower back pain is that it could arise in both active and inactive adults. The narrative only gets worst as lower back pain appears to be a prevalent, chronic condition among older adults aged 65 and above.
However, regardless of age and magnitude, lower back pain is accompanied by varying degrees of symptoms, generally described as excruciating, discomforting, depressing, and limiting.
Unfortunately, we live in a society where pain is often
undertreated and often goes undiagnosed in its early stages. This commentary highlights the causes and
plights of younger adults suffering from mild lower back pain as well as the
chronic variant. It also goes ahead to beam illuminating rays on some
mainstream medications utilized as a therapy for lower back pain. At the latter
end of this piece, explanation and credence are given to the practice of
interdisciplinary treatment strategies of chronic pain.
COMMON CAUSES OF LOWER BACK PAIN AMONG ADULTS: AN OVERVIEW
Identifying the external cause of LBP is one thing while discovering the root/diagnostic cause is another.
The lower back of the human body is constituted of multiple, independent parts capable of causing pain to an adult. Some of these parts include ligaments, abdominal muscles, intervertebral discs, and facet joints of the spine. More so, each of these parts manifests a significantly overlapping axial and periaxial pattern of pain that makes it complex to form an accurate prognosis. This explains why some patients suffer a diagnostic dilemma that could sometimes pose a therapeutic challenge in the long run.
However, a common cause of lower back pain prevalent among
younger adults is a sedentary lifestyle. Most of these population is commonly
found among working-class adults who spend hours seated or in a near-static or
immobile posture as they discharge their duty., overweight adults
who have mobile difficulties stand a higher risk of experiencing lower back
pain as they advance in age. A way around this can be found through frequent
exercise. Engaging in regular exercise stretches the spinal framework and
improves blood flow around all joints and intervertebral discs of the Lower
back. Exercise also helps in building muscular strength, endurance, and
flexibility.
Engaging in active sports and extreme physical conformation account for a certain percentage of LBP among younger adults. Due to routine physical activity and repeated falls, athletes suffer a risk of mild inflammation, bruise, or chronic complication in the lower back region.
Lower back pain and knee injury can bring an athlete’s career to an abrupt end. Consequently, it is absolutely beneficial for highly-active adults such as sportsmen to invest in specialized exercises and ample intake of calcium. Improving bone density and muscular strength can make cushion impact and reduce the risk of breakage during falls.
Lastly, adult women mostly complain of postpartum back pain
immediately after childbearing and sometimes during menopause. This is because
hormones loosen the ligaments and joints during pregnancy. In addition to that,
large fetus weight during pregnancy may strain abdominal muscles and even
wreaked havoc on your posture. Thus, for example, having 5-6 issues in the
space of 10years, combined with the rigorous tasks of nursing a baby,
contributes to prevalent LBP among adult women.
HIGHLIGHTING THE RUINS AND SYMPTOMS
While some patients describe their lower back pain as a
quick and sharp sensation, others state theirs as a prolonged, discomforting
feeling around the pain site. The
effects of LBP are primarily psychosocial and physical. Reoccurring pain,
especially within the lower back region, is emphatically known to threaten
quality-of-life by putting patients through decreased physical activity,
depression, and sleep disorder.
In the case of chronic pain, older adults face an increased
risk of “fall-related” injuries, which may result in deconditioning
measures because of the aging process. It is paramount to combat such cases
with effective medications and corroborating physiotherapy to avoid further
deterioration and weakening of the lower back’s biological parts.
TRAVERSING THE USE OF MEDICATIONS FOR LOWER BACK PAIN
In recent times, medications such as opioids, non-steroid
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-depressants, and over-the-counter (OTC)
analgesics are generally utilized in the treatment of lower back pain. As noted
earlier in this piece, it is highly recommended to conduct a diagnostic injury
into the internal cause of back pain before choosing a therapy. More so, most
medications used to treat pain often have sedative effects that require
patients to be carefully monitored, especially if they participate in physical
activity.
A simpler way of dealing with mild LBD is found in the use of Joint Nourishing Formula capsules. These formulas generally feature body natural chemical compounds designed to lubricate joints and stimulate cartilage regeneration. A typical example is Glucosamine sulfate . If you’re looking for a supplement that may ease your joint pain, Glucosamine could be the answer. Glucosamine supplements also appear to be safe and might be suitable for people with intolerance to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Another example is Celery seed ; its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects make it a potent, formula add-on for reducing joint swelling, back pain, and arthritis.
On the other hand, physical interventions are imperative for chronic LBP among older adults. As a matter of fact, many recent studies are gunning for using a biopsychosocial approach or an Integrated Interventional Approach in the treatment of chronic LBD. This has led to the rapid popularity of Pain management programs, Myofascial-release therapies, and Chiropractic care.
Physical interventions allow for both customizations of treatment strategies and methods that concentrate on the “whole person,” rather than the pain site alone. In summary, combining medications and physical interventions promotes the holistic welfare of chronic LBP patients.
Take Away
Treating lower back pain requires persistence and a systematic approach. Unfortunately, most patients handle their condition very unfairly. The first step to getting it right is achieving “precision”. Before choosing a medical regimen, avoid guesswork and self-diagnosis. It is also important to take address every pain conscientiously. Where pain persists or becomes incredibly excruciating, endeavor to consult a doctor for proper attention .
Further
Reading
- Theou O, Stathokostas L, Roland KP, Jakobi JM,
Patterson C, et al. (2011) The Effectiveness of Exercise
Interventions for the Management of Frailty: A Systematic Review. Journal of
Aging Research, 2011: 569194. - McGuire BE, Nicholas MK, Asghari A, Wood BM,
Main CJ (2014) The effectiveness of psychological
treatments for chronic pain in older adults: Cautious optimism and an agenda
for research. Current Opinion In Psychiatry, 27: 380-384. - Hughes CC, Kneebone II, Jones F, Brady B
(2015) . A theoretical and empirical review of psychological
factors associated with falls-related psychological concerns in
community-dwelling older people. International Psychogeriatrics 27: 1071-1087
. - Bevers K, Hulla R, Rice O, Verdier G, Salas E,
et al. (2017) The Chronic Low Back Pain Epidemic in Older Adults in America. J
Pain Relief 6:285. doi: 10.4172/2167-0846.1000285 - Vadhanan S (2017) Management of Low Back Pain-
Call for an Integrated Interventional Approach. J Pain Relief 6: 303.
DOI: 10.4172/2167-0846.1000303 - American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, Back
Pain During Pregnancy , January 2016.
Author: Michael F. O
Michael F.O is a ravenous health writer with over five years of experience. He has to himself a chain of certification ranging from a university degree in Biochemistry to other professional honors. Th...