Chronic Low Back Pain

Most cases of chronic low back pain and especially with sciatica (lower extremity radicular symptoms) are due to disc related problems.  Ranging from disc bulge or prolapse to degeneration of the disc secondary to injury or wear and tear.  Resulting in pain arising from the disc/joint/nerve/muscle complex.  Have to keep in mind various factors contributing to these problems:

• Occupation: requiring heavy lifting or manual work, driving (truck or heavy machinery), nursing, etc.
• Family history or genetic predisposition: if one can have a higher incidence of getting Diabetes or heart disease with family history of these conditions - why can't one have a higher incidence of low back issues with family history of low back problems.
• Smoking: has been shown to result in higher incidence of degenerative disc disease
• Obesity: increased load on the spine - disc, joints, etc.
• Deconditioned state resulting in poor muscle strength or endurance to support the spine.
• Poor body mechanics or postures
• Poor diet:  if diet can affect your heart, kidneys or your liver, why not the health of your discs or joints.
• Trauma/accident/injury
• Scoliosis
• Leg length discrepancies: one leg longer than the other
• Congenital Malformations

As per the Ayurvedic perspective:

• Constipation and poor digestion
• Occupation (heavy workload or poor work postures)
• Strenuous exercise/activity, lack of adequate activity (deconditioned state or obesity) or improper activity
• Increased stress - psychological or emotional
• Often due to aggravated Vata - diet or lifestyle
• Excessive sexual activity
• Genetic and/or Karmic predisposition
• Trauma/accident/injury
• Scoliosis
• Leg length discrepancies: one leg longer than the other
• Congenital Malformation

Some other reasons for complaint of low back pain (pain referred or arising from other structures):

• Gynecological issues: uterine fibroids, tubo-ovarian mass, cervicitis, dysmenorrhea, etc
• Kidney/bladder problems: cystitis, etc
• Spinal tumors
• Tuberculosis of the spine
• Cancer: pelvic cavity, prostate, cervix, rectum, etc.
• Osteoporosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
• Infections

(C) Copyright 2011 Manu Kalia All Rights Reserved

Comments

[Acupuncture Services]

I've being researching about Lower Back pain and reading your blog, I found your post very helpful :) . I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog!

[Slowbutsure]

Hi manu. I really like your blogs and hope I can do the same someday.

I like everything in your blogs.

Re: LBP

You know I have disc herniations, radiculopathies but symptoms have been all controlled by reg. exercise, stretches, stress reduction techniques and diet.

hope to get in touch with you again.