80% of people experience low back pain throughout their lives, and most of them can relieve it themselves, but a small number of them are signs of the disease, and low back pain in different ages points to different problems.
Children and adolescents
The low back pain that adolescents experience after playing can generally recover quickly, but serious problems are not ruled out, especially for children and adolescents who are too obese. The extra weight will put pressure on the developing waist, which may cause diseases such as spinal deformities, , arthritis and fractures.
The most typical teenage low back pain is scoliosis , which mainly occurs in children with unbalanced lumbar muscle tone on both sides. According to statistics, about 4% of children and adolescents will suffer from this disease. They occur more than 10 to 16 years old. The spine does not grow straight, but curves to the left or right, forming an S or C shape. Most scoliosis is mild, but some bends will become heavier and heavier. In severe cases, it will reduce the space in the chest cavity and make it difficult for the lungs to work normally. Observing scoliosis can pass the following symptoms:
- Uneven shoulders.
- The waist is uneven.
- One side scapula is more prominent than the other side.
- One side of the hip is taller than the other.
- One side of the chest protrudes forward.
- When bent forward, one side of the back protrudes.
In most cases of scoliosis, the spine will also rotate or twist, and the ribs and muscles on one side of the child’s body are more prominent than the other. If you find that your child has these signs, please seek medical treatment in time. Mild concussions may develop unconsciously and usually do not cause pain, and teachers and classmates at school may be more likely to detect abnormalities than parents.
Young people
Most of the young people nowadays sit in front of the computer and work. Bad posture and long-term sitting will cause the spine and attached muscles to strain , causing low back pain. Besides that, there is not enough space between the computer keyboard and the screen, and many people bent down to sit, which in turn can cause pain in the upper back and neck.
Young people are at a strong age. Apart from sports strains, there are not many diseases that really cause low back pain, but some bad postures can cause disc herniation and cervical spondylosis prematurely. You should pay attention to your posture. When using a computer, keep your elbows at a right angle to your waist, and adjust the monitor to the level of vision, straighten your back, and do not crook your shoulders, and get up and exercise for a while every two hours. This will expand the space between the vertebrae and allow the disc to absorb nutrients better.
middle-aged
middle-aged The most common low back pain is the problem of the intervertebral disc, which is the most common in men aged 30 to 50. The intervertebral disc is like a shock absorber between the bones of the spine, which helps the waist bend and twist. It is full of gel-like liquid. The liquid gradually drys out from the middle age. The originally soft intervertebral disc becomes hard. If the posture is not good or the back is too hard, the intervertebral disc may be forced to push out. If it is serious, the gel-like material protrudes from the disc wrap, which is the herniation of the intervertebral disc.
After herniation of the intervertebral disc, it may compress the nerve roots, causing pain, weakness, numbness or sensation changes. Its main symptoms include:
- Intermittent or persistent low back pain, which will be aggravated when exercising, coughing or sneezing, and standing for a long time.
- compresses sciatic nerve , and the pain starts from the waist or hips and extends down the legs to the calf, and even the feet.
- Back muscle cramps.
- The legs muscles are weak, and the legs and feet are numb.
- The knee or ankle reflex is weakened.
- Changes in bladder or intestinal function.
The best way to prevent intervertebral disc problems is exercise. Exercise will increase blood circulation and transport nutrients to the degenerated intervertebral disc. Don’t sit all day long. After middle age, the body will begin to lose flexibility, and pay more attention to daily exercise. In addition, smoking will cause a 1 to 3-fold increase in intervertebral disc problems. The nicotine in cigarettes will reduce blood circulation in the spine. Try to quit smoking after middle age.
The elderly
The most common arthritis and Osteoporosis , Arthritis can damage the intervertebral discs in the spine, osteoporosis can weaken the bones, resulting in compressive fractures of the vertebrae. Some bumps in moving things, moving mattresses or car may cause fractures. : People with age will lose their spine flexibility and bone mass. It is not as easy to squat or bend over as when I was young, so my waist and back become stiff and I am prone to injury or problems.
The best prevention method is exercise. The elderly can choose to exercise that can increase the heart rate appropriately but not very strong. At the same time, combined with some weight-bearing exercises to increase bone mass and strengthen the muscles in the abdomen and back, so as to achieve the purpose of protecting and supporting the spine, such as walking, swimming, Tai Chi , and yoga that is not very difficult.
In general, most low back pain is caused by lifestyle, and correct posture and reasonable exercise habits are the key to preventing and treating low back pain.
Medical science popularization, for reference only.
