Backache, also called lumbago has existed ever since man learnt to stand erect. It is a common complaint among young and the old.
Backache may start without any apparent cause. Many suffer from mild infrequent ache for years before it becomes serious. Many complain of sudden pain starting after pushing a heavy almira or lifting something heavy.
Human diseases assume importance when they cause severe pain or disability. Lumbago and sciatica may cause much suffering and occasionally severe disability and so should not be ignored .
The mean age of onset of backache is 35yrs.Among those complaining of low back pain, thirty five percent are likely to develop sciatica and ninety percent will have future recurrences.
Low back pain may be of 2 types-
- ACUTE – When it starts suddenly, mostly after fall or heavy weight lifting.
- CHRONIC – When it starts gradually and persists for a long time, usually more than 2 weeks.
In acute lumbago pain starts suddenly probably with a clicking sound while lifting heavy weight from ground or pushing a heavy object like almirah. Pain in such cases is very severe and patient is unable to move .A few days later, pain becomes less severe but radiates to buttocks , back of thigh , calf and foot associated with numbness and tingling .
There is severe pain while coughing or sneezing .Patient finds it difficult to bend forward and backward. Lateral bending is not so painful .He is not able to raise his leg high while lying on back.
Most common causes of backache-
- Congenital anomaly of the lumber spine – there are many inborn defects which cause lower back pain
- Trauma – A patient complaining of back pain and inability to move legs may have a fractured spine
- Sprains and strains which are usually associated with lifting heavy objects or a fall or sudden deceleration as may occur in an automobile accident may cause acute back pain with spasm causing unusual posture of patient
- Sciatic /intervertebral disc protrusion -This condition is recognized as major cause of severe and chronic or recurrent low back and leg pain
- Arthritis of spine is also a major cause of backache
- Osteoarthritis– usually occur later in life and can affect any part of spine
- Ankylosing spondylitis – This usually begins in young age .There is morning stiffness
Homoeopathy is a good solution for most types of backaches, except congenital anomaly and fracture where surgical intervention is a must.
