Nearly 12 million visits are made to physician offices each year because of back problems. Eight out of 10 people will experience back pain at some point in their lives. Low back pain is one of the most frequent problems treated by orthopaedic surgeons.

What is the lower back?

Your lower back is a complex structure of vertebrae, disks, spinal cord, and nerves, including:

• five bones called lumbar vertebrae - stacked one upon the other, connecting the upper spine to the pelvis

   

• six shock absorbers called disks - acting both as cushion and stabilizer to protect the lumbar vertebrae

   

• spinal cord and nerves - the "electric cables" which travel through a central canal in the lumbar vertebrae, connecting your brain to the muscles of your legs

   

• small joints - allowing functional movement and providing stability

   

• muscles and ligaments - providing strength and power and at the same time support and stability

   

How does the spine work?

The lower or lumbar spine is a complex structure that connects your upper body (including your chest and arms) to your lower body (including your pelvis and legs). This important part of your spine provides you with both mobility and strength. The mobility allows movements such as turning, twisting or bending; and the strength allows you to stand, walk and lift. Proper functioning of your lower back is needed for almost all activities of daily living. Pain in the lower back can restrict your activity, reduce your work capacity and diminish your quality of life.

What are the common causes?

Low back pain can be caused by a number of factors:

• Protruding Disk

   

• Age

   

• Osteoporosis and Fractures

   

• Low Back Sprain and Strain

   

The muscles of the low back provide power and strength for activities such as standing, walking and lifting. A strain of the muscle can occur when the muscle is poorly conditioned or overworked. The ligaments of the low back act to interconnect the five vertebral bones and provide support or stability for the low back. A sprain of the low back can occur when a sudden, forceful movement injures a ligament which has become stiff or weak through poor conditioning or overuse.

Prevention

Back pain caused by lifting can be prevented if you use proper lifting techniques and exercise regularly to improve your muscle strength and overall physical condition. The normal effects of aging that result in decreased bone mass, and decreased strength and elasticity of muscles and ligaments, can't be avoided.

However, the effects can be slowed by:

• exercising regularly to keep muscles that support your back strong and flexible

   

• using the correct lifting and moving techniques

   

• maintaining your proper body weight; being overweight puts a strain on your back muscles

   

• avoid smoking

   

• maintaining a proper posture when standing and sitting; don't slouch

   

Staying in shape

You can reduce the risk of back pain if you stay in good physical shape.

Recreational activities such as swimming, bike riding, running or walking briskly will keep you in good physical condition. There also are specific exercises that are directed toward strengthening and stretching your back, stomach, hip and thigh muscles as well as exercises to decrease the strain on your lower back. Consult your physician about a proper exercise program.

For more information on "Prevent Injuries America!^®," call the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ public service telephone number 1-800-824-BONES (2663).

June 2001

Source: AAOS Research Dept. patient visits for selected conditions, 1998

For More Information:
Herniated Disk
Spinal Stenosis
Low Back Pain