Can a herniated disc cause lower left back pain? Yes it can. Herniated or ruptured disc’s in the lower back may cause miner to severe lower left back pain. It may also be a sign of a degenerative disc disease that should be diagnosed by the family physician or an orthopedic doctor. A herniated or ruptured disc that causes lower left back pain may be because a disc in the lumbar section of the spine has been affected.

How many people suffer from lower left back pain? In the United States alone, one of the most common ailments that patients seek treatment for is lower back pain which can be on either the left lower back area or the right. It is one of the leading reasons for appointments at family physicians, chiropractors and orthopedic doctors. It is stated that four out of five adults will go to the doctor at some point in their lifetime for lower left back pain.

If I am experiencing severe lower left back pain, should I see my doctor? Anyone that is experiencing severe lower left back pain that is not relieved by rest, heat applications or over the counter medications should see their doctor. Lower left back pain that refuses to go away can signify a number of more serious causes. One of these can be that the lower left back pain is caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm. This can be a life threatening condition and the individual should seek medical attention promptly. A simple sonogram which is not painful, can confirm the diagnosis of this condition. Another serious condition that can cause lower left back pain may be a kidney stone. This is said to cause severe pain in both genders, but especially in males. If a person suffers from a sudden bowel or bladder problem they should also seek professional medical help to rule out a syndrome called cauda equina syndrome.

A bulging disc means the disc has not herniated but is protruding or bulging out between the vertebrae and putting pressure on the sciatica nerve causing pain that runs down the leg going as far as the toes. The bulging disc can cause stabbing electric shock pain, dull aching, numbness, pins and needles sensation, and muscle weakness. The leg that is affected by pain is determined by the direction the disc is bulging.

Bed rest, icing the area for 20 minutes, waiting an hour, and repeating, will bring relief. Without bed rest and limiting twisting or lifting movements a bulging disc can herniate. To prevent this condition from worsening see your doctor immediately. Physical therapy could be useful as part of your recovery.

When a disc herniates, it ruptures sending pieces that push out between the vertebrae causing nerve pressure or nerve pinching. A herniated disc can cause shocking jabs of pain, numbness in the calf or foot with a tingling sensation, and sharp or burning pain down the leg. A herniated disc causes intense muscle spasms that require prescription medication, icing the area, and bed rest for a few days to relax muscles.

Spinal fusion is the surgical procedure to repair a herniated disc but it is risky. Spinal fusion is not always successful and you must be considered an ideal candidate for the surgery. 10% to 40% of spinal fusion patients suffer from “failed back surgery syndrome” that increases chronic pain and can decrease range of motion and mobility. The decision to have spinal fusion surgery should include the possibility that it can make your condition worse. Surgery should be a last resort choice after all conservative treatment has been exhausted.

Alternative treatment for a herniated disc includes kinesiology and acupuncture. Kinesiology addresses overall body health with muscle testing, gentle manipulation, and herbal supplements. Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese method of pain relief using needles to block nerve signals.

Learning to live within your limitations and finding the treatment that works best for you will help you live a more normal healthy life. Embrace your condition, educate yourself, and make informed decisions about your health care.

So one morning after your coffee and before your shower, you are doing your stretches. You are full of energy and reach for the clouds when you are gripped by a strong cramp in your lower back on the right side. This is not your muscle overreacting to your efforts. This is a spinal nerve that has suffered a pinch from its passage through the foramen created by the boney arms of each verterbrae. The nerve was pinched because a disc of cartilage lost its spring or your stretch displaced it causing the nerve that controls that muscle on the right side of your back to spasm. What is next? Well, you take your hot shower and wonder how you will even get dressed since your movement is hampered severely by this one throbbing spot, hopefully, the hot shower will relax the muscle spasm.

It should ease the discomfort enough for you to get dressed but any continued back pain is now due to your displacement of that disc of cartilage. It bulged out and pushed or crimped the nerve, the question is how long will it stay that way. Until that nerve is unmolested by the bone passage it travels through on its exit from the spinal cord, the muscle or corresponding body function will not work as it should. If you have a condition knowns as stenosis, it may take longer than most patients to free the space around that nerve again. Muscles, fingers, bladder control and even lung function are all affected by a specific nerve exiting our spinal cord. This is why any trauma or simple weed pulling is enough to dislodge a disc, thereby, creating back pain. Most are familiar with the terms herniated or bulging discs. The symptom of that bulge is the nerve getting squeezed by the disc or the corresponding bone around its path from the spinal column itself. So the next time your husband says his feet hurt, know that it could actually be neurological damage in the back that is causing it.

Most Americans live with some sort of chronic pain everyday. Some of us really cannot recollect a day when we did not have some kind of pain and we have just resigned ourselves to living with it. Whatever the reason for you pain and whether it is chronic or as a result of strenuous exercises for a particular day, you owe it to yourself to find out the origin of the pain and follow up with any treatments needed in order to correct the problem. It may just be that you need to rest, or it may be that you need major surgery.

Back pain is a major complaint for many Americans. But this can be very deceptive. One would think that if you have pain in your back then you must have pulled a back muscle or perhaps strained your back in some way shape or form. But did you know that back pain can be an indicator of much more serious problems. Constant back pain in the left side of your body for example could mean several things. It could be a strain or tissue damage but it could also be a score of other issues depending on its location on the left hand part of your body.

Chronic left sided back pain could mean many different things depending on age, sex, other symptoms and family health history. It could be diverticulitis, IBS, endometriosis, fibroids, other tumors or cancer. Any disease affecting those organs which are found on the left side of the body can cause severe pain. It is a signal to you that something is wrong with that organ. The only way to truly find out what ails you is to get a complete physical which could include several diagnostic tests to pin point the problem. Remember, any damage or disease affecting the organs on the left side of your body, from the left lung to the left ovaries can cause severe pain. Don’t just run for the pain medication, go to a doctor and find out what’s wrong.

It sounds as though you have developed sciatica from your recent activity. Sciatica is pain, numbness, and tingling created by irritation of the nerve roots which lead the the sciatic. In some cases, walking Heavy lifting may have caused nerve root compression, or a pinched nerve, causing you acute discomfort.

Symptoms may begin with pain in your lower back that runs down your buttocks. It can cause pain all the way down your legs, through the back of your knee, even going into your feet. Weakness, numbness, and tingling may occur. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time may worsen symptoms. You may also find relief while lying down, but lying in one position for a period may cause discomfort. Sometimes symptoms flare due to walking or bending.

Many cases of sciatica eventually heal on their own. Initial treatment may involve over-the-counter pain relievers and light activity. You may also relieve pain and discomfort in your back and legs by avoiding sitting for extended periods of time, using heating pads on the affected area, or a warm shower. Seeking professional care from a massage therapist, chiropractor, or physical therapist may be necessary if symptoms worsen or do not go away on their own.

Please note that nerve root compression is only one possibility for sciatica. Treatment for sciatica can vary depending on the underlying cause. It is best to seek advice from a medical professional to determine the cause and treatment for your condition. Other common causes are bulging or ruptured disc, narrowing of the spinal canal, or bone spurs.

Q. Is it only on the left side?
A. It is probable that the muscles only on the left were affected as a result of lifting, moving, exercise. or not moving in a back friendly, or ergonomic way.

Q. Does the pain go down the left leg?
A. There is more muscle involvement.

Q. Does the pain shoot or radiate down the leg?
A. The nerve root at the lumbar levels are possibly affected.

Q. Is there a numbing sensation going down the leg?
A. Again, it could be a sign of nerve root involvement. A disc may have been dislodged from between the vertebrae or back bones and it is pressing on the nerve root which provides sensation down the leg, specifically on the left side if the pain begins in left side of back.

Q. Does it hurt when walking?
A. Putting weight on the leg that is affected can cause slight pain to a terrible shooting pain not allowing any weight to be placed on it.

Q. Does it hurt more when sitting?
A. While sitting, your left thigh is at a 90 degree angle to the spine, and may cause different symptoms of pain. It may involve another nerve root area or disc herniation in another place in spine or herniation is worse.

Q. Does the pain go down to the foot at all?
A. This may indicate further at what levels nerve involvement is.

Q. Is there discomfort on top of thigh or down the back of the leg?
A. Again, this is another way of finding out where the nerve root pain may be originating from.

Q. Should I see a doctor or a specialist?
A. Yes, if you have had pain for more than two weeks that shoots down the leg, you should see a specialist in back pain or orthopedics?

Q. What if I just felt my back “give out” while lifting something?
A. Use ice to reduce inflammation and take some ibuprofen for the pain. Rest the back for a few days. If it muscular, it should ease up within a week.

Q. Should I get an MRI?
A. Yes, if the pain has not resolved, get an MRI done to rule out tumors, and check for herniations or other causes of pain.

Q. What if I can’t control my bladder or bowels?
A. A back injury that causes you to lose control of bladder and bowels should always warrant a doctor’s visit.

Q.

Answer: Most back pain is cause by muscle soreness, and usually this comes from having weak muscles in your back. Sometimes a weight problem can worsen these issues.

When someone injures their back, the first impulse is usually to spend a few days in bed while taking over the counter pain medication. This is actually ok as an initial treatment after a back injury, but as a pro-longed strategy, it’s not a good idea. Your muscles need blood to heal, and movement helps increase circulation, which helps the muscles repair themselves. Once the initial pain and inflammation begins to lessen, you should immediately get back on your feet, and get your blood flowing again.

After that, the first step preventative therapy is to learn some exercises that will isolate the crucial support muscles in the back and make them stronger. As you age, the support muscles in your stomach and back will often begin to atrophy. When we are younger, we are more physically active, and this keeps our muscles strong, but when we become adults, and spend less time exercising, the muscles can weaken. Making those muscles strong again is one of the main keys to protecting your back from future injuries. There are many sources online that will show you a safe set easy of exercises that can be performed 2 or 3 times a week, and greatly increase your support structure.

The next step is to look at your weight. The less weight your back muscles have to carry around, the better. If your belly has gotten a little larger in recent years, that could be the main cause of your back trouble. Some people are able to completely cure all their back problems just by losing a few pounds. Even a small reduction in your upper body weight can sometimes produce a drastic improvement.

In very severe cases, a back injury may require surgery, and if you try everything here, with no luck, you may have to consider that option. The good news is that surgery is usually not required, and if you take the right preventative measures, you can avoid injuring your back in the first place.

It’s all a matter of strengthening your torso muscles, and lessening their burden. If you do that, your back problems will undoubtedly get much better.

Crossing your legs is one of the worst things you can do if you tend to feel back pain on your right side. The action of crossing your legs pulls all types of muscles into the wrong places. Just don’t do it. Also sleeping on the right side when in bed will often contribute to this chronic pain so try to sleep on your back if you can. Also, be careful in the way you lift anything. You’ve heard it before but it is true, bend with your knees when lifting something heavy and just because you are bending your knees doesn’t mean you can then try to lift 200 pounds. No amount of good posture will help if you lift more than your body is prepared for.

Another key contributor to any back pain and this includes back pain on the right side is being overweight. Anytime you have more pounds on your body than your frame is prepared to carry you will begin to experience pain. This weight pain will radiate in limbs at the joints as well as in the back areas where you put considerable pressure.

So if you are experiencing back pain on the right side try these simple tips first: stand straight, sleep on your back, sit with both feet on the floor, bend your knees when lifting and lift only what is reasonable and lose weight if appropriate. If you put these simple tips into place there is a very good possibility that your pain will lessen and hopefully even go away if you stay diligent in your back care.

Back pain occurs in many people on a daily basis. It can be very uncomfortable. In order to spot a recurring back pain and treat it, make sure you know all the symptoms of the various types of back pain. It should be mentioned that most symptoms are common and hence, it is equally important to know specific ones linked to a particular condition only.

Sciatica:

It is a condition in which pain is experienced in a nerve that stems from the lower back and down to the back of each leg. It can have symptoms like tingling in the leg, pain in rear the rear when sitting, numbness or difficulty in moving the leg and also a shooting pain that can hinder standing up.

Herniated Disc:

In such a condition, the spinal disc ruptures and a portion of it pushes out from its original boundary. This is called a herniated disc. When the nerve of the disc becomes irritated, the symptoms are visibly felt. Electric shocks can be experienced in the arms and legs. Pins or needles might be felt in the same regions as the electric shock pains. Nerve irritation and muscle weakness can also occur.

Lumbar Muscle Spasms:

Uncontrolled contractions in the muscles of the lumber or the lower back region can cause back pain as well. Common symptoms can be tensed muscles and extreme pain in the lower back muscles.

Spinal Stenosis:

Excessive curvature in your spine can lead to compression. That compression can cause the discs and the vertebrae to shift and therefore decreasing the space in the spinal canal. This condition is called spinal stenosis. Symptoms include leg cramps, pain reduction when sitting, bowel and bladder problems and foot disorders.

Scoliosis:

When the back makes a sideways curve in the shape of a C or an S, it is called scoliosis. It can be indicated by a number of things. One shoulder blade tends to stick out more than the other, the waistline is flatter on one side or the ribs look higher on one side. It is very painful and the pain does not subside even when resting.

Osteoarthritis:

It is a condition in which the joints start to rub against each other due to a break-down of the cartilage. The cartilage supports the joints. This affects the spine too. Symptoms can be limited motion of joints, stiffness after physical activity, pain in the spine even during rest and swelling around the joint.

What are some oral non-prescription and prescription medications available to take for back pain treatment?

There are many oral non-prescription and prescription medications for back pain. Non-prescription medications can be taken for minor back pain. Some non-prescription medications are Aleve, Tylenol, and Excedrin. The medicine can be taken for up to 10 days. Symptoms that last longer than 10 days need to be checked out by a doctor who will give the patient a prescription medication. Some back pain treatments help other disorders as well. Some prescription medications a patient may be given are antidepressants, opioids, and corticosteroids. These all help with inflammation and swelling that comes with back pain.

What type of physical therapy is available?

Physical therapy may be needed for severe back pain. The physical therapist will have a number of things that they will do for the patient to help relieve back pain. There are two types of physical therapy, which are active and passive. Both types of physical therapy may be needed to help in the treatment of back pain. Active physical therapy consists of low-impact aerobics, stretching and strengthening exercises for the back. Passive physical therapy consists of heat and ice packs to soothe pain in the back. Iontophoresis, TENS, and an Ultrasound are all forms of back pain treatments, which is when electric or heat is applied to the area that is affected. Massages are another form of back pain treatment that can be given during physical therapy treatment. Physical therapy lasts as long as treatment is needed.

It is important to take care of back pain as soon as symptoms are felt. Back pain can be a sign of other problems, so it is important to see a doctor if back pain becomes severe. The doctor will be able to let the patient know why they are having back pains and the best route that they need to go in order to get some relief.