Back Pain Explained

Back Pain explains what back pain is and how it can be treated and prevented.

Basic Anatomy:

• Back Pain Home
• Anatomy for Beginners
• Types of Pain
• Finding Acute Relief
• Intervertebral Disc
• The Spinal Ligaments
• The Sacrum
• The Vertebra

Causes of Back Pain:

• Backache
• Prolapsed Disc
• Sciatica
• Spinal Stenosis
• Scoliosis
• Spondylosis
• Spondylolisis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sacroiliac Joint
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Coccydynia

Back Pain Exercises:

• Benefits of Exercise
• Simple Exercises
• Core Stability
• Swiss Ball

Proper Posture:

• How Good is Yours?
• Posture in Depth
• Sitting Posture
• Standing Posture

Types of Therapy:

• Complementary Therapy
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Acupuncture

Surgery For Back Pain:

• Introduction
• Laminectomy
• Lumbar Discectomy
• Nerve Root Block

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The sacroiliac joint has been a source of debate for years and still is! The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) has an interesting history. Formed at the junction where the sacrum bone meets with the pelvic bone, it is a strong joint.

The joint has its strength from the way the bones are shaped and also largely from its very strong ligaments. The surrounding muscles also contribute to its stability. In years gone by, it was thought that the SIJ did not move but in more recent times it is becoming increasingly recognised that it does move (only a few millimetres!) and is a potential source of pain. In my experience, the SIJ is often a contributor to low back pain. The joint is often involved due to either trauma such as a fall onto the backside or can even be from back posture such as sitting with the legs crossed in the office for hours.

Pain is usually very localised to the knobbly/boney area on either side of the low back. Pain is often felt on one side only but sometimes the pain can seem to change sides! There have been studies to show that the SIJ can actually refer pain all the way down the leg so it mimicks sciatica!

Classic SIJ!

Classically, the pain is only on one-side and quite localised to the bony point in the low back. The pain can refer into the hip or groin area and can be painful with twisting such as when turning in bed. It can often be relieved by shifting ones weight from leg to leg. Alternatively, a comfortable position to relieve pain can be lying down on the back with the knees bent up.

Treatment?

Often pain in this area means that either the joints are not quite aligned and the back needs to be realigned by a health professional. The muscles can sometimes be strengthened to the point that it can help to stabilize the joint and so reduce the pain. Often a special belt can help to support and stabilize this area. In extreme cases where the joint is loose an injection can be given that stiffens up the joint.