September 30, 2021

There are different types of back pain that can affect any region of the back, from the cervical area, at the base of the skull, to the lower back (lumbar) and the sacral area, near the coccyx. Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people go to the doctor or take days off.

Statistically, all people face, sooner or later, back pain. These types of back pain are not a condition, but a symptom that can occur singly or with other manifestations of a disease.

Back pain has a variety of causes, from adopting an incorrect posture to muscle strains or the existence of an internal organ condition. The causes of back pain depend on the type of pain and the area in which it occurs.

Also, it’s good to know that there are a few types of back pain.

CONTENT:

1. Back pain in the cervical area
2. Back pain in the coccyx area
3. Back pain in the chest area
4. Low back pain

Back pain in the cervical area

Back pain in the cervical area (neck) can be caused by:

• Dislocations and sprains due to overload;
• Repetitive neck activities;
• An incorrect posture in the chair or during sleep;
• Disc herniation;
• Osteoporosis;
• Migraine;
• Spinal stenosis;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Congenital anomalies of the vertebrae or bones;
• Blows or traumas in the neck area.

Also, neck pain can have serious causes (which can affect quality of life), such as meningitis, heart attack, spine tumors or multiple myeloma (bone marrow plasma cell cancer).

Cervical pain manifests itself in the form of discomfort between the base of the skull and the upper part of the shoulders. The pain may spread to the upper back and arms. Head and neck mobility may be affected and migraines may occur. If the pain occurred as a result of compression of the spinal nerve roots, symptoms such as:

• Numbness;
• Weakness in arms or hands;
• Tingling;
• Burning sensation in arms or hands;
• Sensation of numbness or weakness of the legs;
• Rarely, loss of control over the bladder and intestine.

Back pain in the coccyx area

Back pain in the coccyx area is caused by:

• Pregnancy – birth is the most common cause of pain in the sacral area. Towards the end of the pregnancy, the coccyx becomes much more flexible. This allows her to withstand the movements required for birth. During childbirth, the muscles and ligaments in this area may become overworked. As a result, pain occurs;
• Existence of a trauma – falling or hitting the area during a contact sport or activities such as cycling or boating;
• Degeneration of intervertebral discs due to aging;
• An incorrect posture on the seat or while driving – can put pressure on the coccyx and cause pain and discomfort;
• Menopause;
• Spondylitis;
• Obesity;
• Rarely, the presence of a tumor.

Back pain in the coccyx can be dull pain, which, in certain positions, becomes sharp. It manifests itself especially in a sitting position, when standing, after a long time standing, after a cough, during defecation or sexual intercourse. If the pain causes gait disturbances, the doctor is indicated.

Unlike other forms of pain, it is limited to the coccyx and does not radiate to the pelvis or lower limbs.

Back pain in the chest area

Back pain in the chest area can have the following causes:

• Arthritis;
• Inflammation;
• Osteoporosis;
• Muscle stretches;
• Lung disorders;
• Compression fracture of the spine;
• Kidney disease;
• Scoliosis;
• Obesity;
• Kyphosis;
• Incorrect posture while sitting or exercising;
• Scheuermann’s disease – an inflammation of the joints in the spine.

In rare cases, chest pain can be caused by problems with the esophagus, stomach, pancreas or gallbladder.

Back pain in the chest affects the middle of the back. In addition to pain, symptoms such as numbness and tingling, caused by nerve compression, may be felt.

If there is weakness in the legs or loss of control over the bladder, medical consultation is mandatory. Sometimes, a general state of weakness can set in, marked by fever, chills and unusual weight loss.

Low back pain

Low back pain can be caused by:

• Muscle stretches;
• Lumbar disc herniation;
• Kidney stones;
• Lumbar osteoarthritis;
• Degenerative disease of the intervertebral disc – especially as a result of aging;
• Lumbar spondylosis;
• Lumbar stenosis;
• A trauma – it can be an accident or a fall.

The back pain in the lower back is felt as a sharp pain, which can be aggravated by standing. It begins intensely in the early hours of the morning, immediately after waking up, and loses intensity during the day or when adopting a comfortable position.

If urinary control is lost or severe abdominal pain or fever occurs, medical consultation is recommended. Sometimes there are muscle spasms, pain in the pelvis or hips and movement becomes limited.

In some situations, the pain is stinging and extends to the lower legs. Sedentary lifestyle also puts pressure on the intervertebral discs and can aggravate back pain. Stretching and walking can help relieve pain, but returning to a sitting position can lead to pain.

Chronic low back pain is usually associated with other symptoms. Most people who have low back pain also experience sleep problems, depression and / or anxiety.

These are the main types of back pain that need to be treated from the beginning of the first common pain.

On the one hand, back pain is a symptom that can occur in anyone, at any age. On the other hand, we can talk about a number of risk factors for back pain that favor the onset of this suffering, these being responsible especially for chronic back pain.

A risk factor is something that increases the chances of having back pain. Having more risk factors means that you have a higher chance of having middle pain.

Back pain can occur in any region of the back. Depending on the location, there may be neck, chest or lower back pain in the lower back or sacrum. The most common back pain occurs in the lower back, as it supports most of the weight on the upper body.

CONTENT:

1. Physical and family risk factors
2. Risk factors that can be eliminated by changing lifestyle
3. Risk factors you may change with medical treatment

Physical and family risk factors

• Middle-aged or older people
• A family history of back pain
• A back accident in the past
• The woman’s back is heavily stressed by carrying a baby
• Compression fractures of the spine
• Back surgery in the past
• Spinal problems at birth

Risk factors that can be eliminated by changing lifestyle

• Lack of regular exercise
• Having a job or other activity that requires long periods of sitting, heavy lifting, bending or twisting, repetitive movements or constant vibrations, such as using a hammer or certain type of heavy equipment
• Smoking. People who smoke are more prone to moderate pain than those who do not smoke.
• Being overweight. Excessive body weight, especially around the waist, can affect your back, although this has not been proven. But overweight indicates poor physical condition, with weaker muscles and less flexibility. These can lead to low back pain.
• Having a weak posture. Leaning forward or lying on your back when sitting in a chair cannot cause middle pain. But after the back has been tense or injured, poor posture can make the pain worse. Good posture generally means that your ears, shoulders and hips are in a straight line. If this posture causes pain, you may have another situation, such as a problem with a disc or back bones.
• Being stressed. Stress and other emotional factors play a major role in low back pain, especially in chronic back pain. Many people unconsciously tighten their back muscles when they are under stress.

Risk factors you may change with medical treatment

• Long periods of depression
• Use of long-term medications that weaken bones, such as corticosteroids
• Having a disease that causes a chronic cough
• Overweight
• Obesity is defined by medical experts as a disease. Overweight (or obesity) is a serious disorder that affects adults and children. Most people know that obesity contributes to the development of coronary heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and colon cancer.

The game is very important as a method of learning motor skills. The Pediatric Physical Therapy specialist must know how to behave with the child, to play with him – it is important for the physiotherapist to be able to make the exercise a play, to let the child walk through the medical gym, to make him walk. feel independent – still having permanent control and guiding the necessary therapy.

Physical Therapy or Medical Gymnastics, treats many ailments through therapeutic exercise programs, composed individually depending on the condition and its evolution or involution.
After establishing the diagnosis by a specialized doctor, the application of the physiotherapy treatment is resorted to.

Physical therapy – medical gymnastics – can correct abnormal spinal postures, such as scoliosis, kyphosis or lordosis.

Physical therapy is a long-term therapy and requires perseverance from the patient. The physiotherapist must permanently support his patient, motivate him in times of difficulty, discuss and explain each result.

CONTENT:

1. Pediatric Physical Therapy results
2. Spinal deviations
3. Causes and factors favoring deviations of the spine

Pediatric Physical Therapy results

• gaining normal joint mobility lost after a post-fracture immobilization
• normalization of muscle tone
• training the whole body in motion and preparing the child’s body for effort
• forming the habit of correct and coordinated movements
• correcting various deformities of the spine, due to the incorrect position of the little ones on the bench or on the chair during the preparation of lessons
• treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system: congenital hip dislocations, flatulence, genum varum (“legs in parentheses”), genum valgum (“legs in X”).
• correction of vicious postural attitudes and axis changes of the already installed spine (kyphosis, scoliosis, hyperlordosis or flat back)

And children with neurological disorders – hemiparesis, paraparesis – can benefit from the positive results of physical therapy.

Spinal deviations

1. Kyphosis is the deviation of the spine in the vertical plane. Kyphosis is manifested by the sharp curvature of the spine, forward, in the thoracic region, causing hump. Kyphosis can be compensated by a cervical and lumbar hyperlordosis to restore the balance of the spine.
2. Lordosis is a change in the physiological curvature of the spine in the lumbar area. Lordosis is manifested by the accentuation of the curvature, towards the front.
3. Scoliosis is manifested by the appearance of curves of the spine, especially in the lumbar region, in the frontal plane, the column taking the shape of the letter “C”, often followed by a compensatory change that occurs in the neighboring area, the spine being in the shape of the letter ” S “. This “S” deformation visible from the back, can be oriented to the right or to the left, depending on the positioning errors of the column.

Untreated, kyphosis, scoliosis and lordosis lead to an unsightly appearance of the back but especially to the appearance of back pain.

Causes and factors favoring deviations of the spine

The cause of scoliosis is not perfectly known (idiopathic scoliosis), but several favorable factors are known. Scoliosis usually occurs in childhood or adolescence and is associated with congenital factors, such as spina bifida, genetic or certain local factors, such as muscle pain or spasm, muscle or nerve disorders, or lower limb inequality.

The incorrect position of the child on the chair, at school, at the office or in the bench, the incorrect wearing of the backpack, can generate, in time, some of these unwanted deformations.

Other medical causes that can cause deviations of the spine are: rickets, myopia, hearing changes, which force the child to take asymmetrical or incorrect attitudes to correct the defect to the detriment of the normal position of the body.

Pediatric Physical Therapy – medical gymnastics – has the role of correcting the vicious positions of the child both at home and at school.

Educating the child to have a correct position on the chair, on the bench, at the table or in front of the computer, at home or at school, must be correlated with an appropriate height of the chair. The correct position is with the legs under the chair and the back straight, glued to the bench.

The backpack or backpack must be worn alternately in the hand or in the back, taking advantage of the correct position of the back. To strengthen the muscles of the spine, it is good for any child to practice a sport, such as swimming or athletics.

Pediatric Physical Therapy has an important role in correcting any abnormal changes in the skeleton, restoring the child’s full health.

There are many methods for prevention of back pain that will help you have a healthy body and full of vitality.

The way a back pain presents itself can vary from muscle type pain, to sensation or stabbing, it can radiate to the leg or to the shoulder blades. Its intensity can range from dull but persistent pain to a sharp pain that is difficult to bear at the base of the back.

There are many causes that can trigger low back pain, including twisting and stretching of muscles and ligaments, injuries to the vertebrae or vertebral discs, compression of a nerve or even fatigue. Repeated movements, especially in sports, put pressure on the lumbar region, which is why back pain can occur over time.

CONTENT:

1. Physical activity
2. Weight loss
3. Other tips for prevention of back pain

Physical activity for prevention of back pain

So what is the best type of back exercise? According to the study, all forms of physical activity have been shown to be effective in the problem of back pain:

• cardio exercises;
• riding the bike;
• exercises to strengthen the back muscles.

However, we must keep in mind one thing, experts say: if we experience back pain, we must reduce the effort made during training.

The safest way to get our blood circulation moving and train our muscles is to walk. Since we gain the necessary endurance and strength, we can move on to more complex exercises with increased difficulty among the movements of the spine, such as aerobic gymnastics movements, add the specialists.

Weight loss

Losing weight is for many an extremely effective way to get rid of back pain. The extra pounds put pressure on the spine which explains why overweight or obese people are confused with pain at this level.
Regular physical activity can help those who experience back pain. Before starting a sport, it is good to consult a doctor to rule out a possible condition in the spine that could contraindicate physical activity. For those who do not have a contraindication, sports will tone the muscles, which helps support the spine and thus relieve pain at this level.

Other tips for prevention of back pain

In addition to exercise, here are other ways you can relieve lower back pain. The tips below refer to relieving pressure, reducing tension, protecting the spine and strengthening muscles. Changing a few daily habits can help you maintain a healthy, painless back for a long time.

1. Sleep with a pillow under your knees. Sleeping on your back puts pressure on your spine. Raising your legs relieves this pressure on your back while you sleep. You can reduce this pressure by half by placing a pillow under your knees.
2. Work your abdomen. The many health benefits of exercise are known. A regular strength training routine that focuses on the core muscles can help you reduce your risk of back injuries, such as muscle spasms. Try to include back and abdomen strengthening exercises in your workout at least twice a week to develop a stronger and more flexible back.
3. Increase your intake of calcium and vitamin D. Strong bones can help prevent osteoporosis. It is one of the most common causes of back pain later in life, especially for women. Keep your spine strong by consuming plenty of calcium and vitamin D.
4. Change your shoes. Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes to prevent back pain. They reduce the tension on your back while standing. Shoes with a heel smaller than 2 cm are the best for your back.
5. Straighten your back. An incorrect posture puts tension and stress on your back and can change the architecture of your spine. Avoid rounding your shoulders or bending your side when standing.
6. Don’t sit at your desk. When sitting on an office chair, use the same good posture techniques that you use when standing. It is essential to maintain a good posture and support your back when sitting down, especially if you do it for several hours a day. Choose a quality chair that offers firm support for your back.
7. Alternate sitting on the chair with standing

Kyphosis in children is manifested by excessive curvature of the spine in the thoracic region, being compensated by a cervical and lumbar hyperlordosis to balance the spine.

Kyphosis is a deviation of the spine in the sagittal plane (in the vertical plane of symmetry), by exaggerating the normal curves of the spine.

CONTENT:

1. Causes of kyphosis in children
2. Symptoms of kyphosis in children
3. Types of kyphosis in children
4. Treatment of kyphosis in children

Causes of kyphosis

• incorrect position of the child on the chair from the first years of life, at the table, at home and then in kindergarten, school, office or bank, incorrect wearing of the backpack can generate in time some of these unwanted deformations.
• sudden increase in height
• the lack of regular practice of the sport that strengthens the back muscles or the neglect of the physiotherapy in case the disease has set in, contributes to the accentuation of the deformities of the spine
• rickets, myopia, hearing changes, which force the child to take asymmetrical or incorrect attitudes.

These diseases must be identified in time, through a specialized medical check-up.

The undiagnosed and untreated disease in time will lead to irreversible changes in the spine, which can only be resolved by surgery. Changes in the spine lead, over time, to alter the activity of the entire musculoskeletal system, respiratory movements, which in turn will lead to changes in metabolism, endocrine gland balance or nervous system. The activity and development of the internal organs are also modified.

The kyphotic child has the position of the head and the upper half of the torso much bent in front, showing a prominence of the pelvis.

Symptoms of kyphosis

• mild or severe pain in the thoracic spine
•  feeling tired
• stiffness and muscle tension in the dorsal area
• forward movement of the head
• chest pain and difficulty breathing in severe cases
• changes in shoulder position

Types of kyphosis

There are two types of kyphosis, which can be found in both children and adults and adolescents:

• postural kyphosis, determined by inadequate posture and can be corrected by changing the patient’s lifestyle.
• structural kyphosis, caused by a change in anatomy, and this can not be influenced only by the patient, requiring orthopedic or surgical treatment.

Some patients are born with the second type of kyphosis, congenital kyphosis. This is caused by the lack or incomplete formation of some portions of the spine. During the growing period, the patient may develop a progressive kyphosis. If the kyphosis becomes severe, it can press on the nerve structures and cause pain.

Scheuermann disease is a type of kyphosis that occurs in children and adolescents. It develops in the middle region of the spine. Thus in Scheuermann disease, kyphosis occurs because the anterior portion of the spine does not grow as fast as the posterior.
Depending on the results of the investigations, the orthopedist recommends either wearing a corset to stop the accentuation of the curvature, or, kinetotherapy, or surgery.
In the composition of the therapeutic plan, the degree of vertebral curvature is also taken into account.

The degree of vertebral curvature is an important criterion for the therapeutic indication, as follows:

• Thoracic kyphosis below 40-50 degrees is usually treated by kineto-therapeutic means.
• Thoracic kyphosis between 40-50 and 70-80 degrees is treated by orthopedic means (recovery with the help of plaster castings and maintaining correction with the help of orthopedic corsets).
• Severe kyphosis, over 80 degrees, can only be corrected and stabilized by surgical treatment.

Treatment of kyphosis

The treatment of kyphosis depends on the patient’s age and, of course, the degree of deformity.

In patients with flexible kyphosis and Scheuermann disease due to body position, physiotherapy and physiotherapy are recommended.

In the latter, when the kyphosis is less than 40 degrees, the doctor recommends supervision of the child as well as physical therapy to strengthen the abdominal, dorsal, lateral flexors and muscles that rotate the thoracic segment of the spine.

When the curvature is greater than 40 degrees, the corset is used. At curves greater than 80 degrees or in some cases of inflexible kyphosis, surgery may be required.

Exercises are also recommended in these cases:

• tanning in conditions of shortening the muscle groups of the back;
• tanning in conditions of lengthening the abdominal and thoracic muscles;
• correction or prevention of compensatory deviations of the spine or of the other segments;
• removing the wrong habits and forming a correct attitude of the body