General Lower Back Pain
What is General Lower Back Pain?
General Lower back pain (GLBP) is more of a symptom than a specific diseased pathological state. There are many potential causes, that don’t necessarily indicate disease as such. Another term for generalised low back pain, is idiopathic back pain. Meaning that there is no specific cause of the pain, and it is not attributed to a known pathophysical or pathological diagnosis and is often spontaneous and short in duration. Much of the time, GLBP is muscoskeletal in nature caused by strain, tension, over-use, or postural deviations. Up to 90% of people with confirmed GLBP recover within a month of gentle treatments, such as traction, remedial body therapies such as massage, or physio, and stretching exercises. When there is another cause for the back pain, such a slipped disc causing pinched nerve pain then the diagnosis is changed.
There are a few main groups of muscles in the back that can contribute to GLBP. The Quadratus Lumborum is the muscle group that runs from the bottom of the last rib to the top of the hips and along both sides of the spinal column. When in spasm or strain, pain may be localised or referred down the upper thighs. Because this muscle group is so deep and plays such an integral part in maintaining posture, the pain associated with it can be a deep and aching pain even at rest, sitting or laying down. Pain with the Quadratus Lumborum can cause difficulty in doing everyday tasks such as walking and bending, twisting from side to side, climbing stairs, getting out of chairs, and even coughing.
The Erector Spinae muscles are a group of muscles that essentially hold our spines upright. They extend from the sacrum at the bottom or the spine, alongside each side of the vertebrae through the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical sections of the spine. Their function is the extend and laterally flex the spinal column. The erector spinae muscle groups can cause pain when they are strained, overused, or are inflamed or torn, usually due to a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, trauma or by overcompensating for weaker muscles such as the abdominals, or glutes, Pain in this group of muscles can impede walking, sitting for long periods of time, and bending down.
What are the treatment options?
Treatment options for general lower back pain include stretching exercises, often in the form of activities such as yoga, or Pilates; heat or cold compresses, anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) and analgesic medications, muscle relaxants such as magnesium, and physical therapies such as massage therapy, physiotherapy, chiropractic, and osteopathic practices.
How can Nubax Trio help?
Along with core stabilising techniques and other therapies, spinal traction can aid in GLBP by stretching the long muscles of the back and increasing the spaces in between the vertebral discs to prevent wear and tear of the cartilaginous tissue that cushions the spine. By stretching the long muscles in the back with traction therapy, a lot of the symptoms from GLBP can be alleviated. Continued use of the Nubax spinal traction device can prevent any acute symptoms of GLBP and can be used as a sporadic treatment when symptoms appear. The Nubax can be used as a daily regiment for prevention of GLBP or every now and then to maintain back health. The Nubax holds the spine in a neutral position while your body’s gravitational forces pull the vertebrae apart, as opposed to bending the spine, making it a much safer and easier to use treatment to create therapeutic distraction between the vertebrae.
