It is believed that many cases of low back pain are due to stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Our sedentary jobs and lifestyle make us vulnerable to this type of damage. Too much time in front of the TV, not enough exercise, poor posture and poor sleeping habits (including sleeping on the stomach) weaken muscles. Weak muscles, especially abdominal muscles, cannot support the spine properly. Obesity, which afflicts over 35 million Americans, is another factor - it increases both the weight on the spine and the pressure on disks. When the body is in poor shape, it does not take much to overstretch (strain) a muscle or put a small tear (sprain) in a ligament. The medical word for backaches arising from either of these conditions is lumbosacral strain (or sprain). Sometimes, a sudden twist or fall can bring on muscle spasms - sudden, involuntary contractions that can be excruciatingly painful. A spasm immobilizes the muscles over the injured area, possibly acting as a kind of splint to protect muscles or joints from further damage.
2 comments: