London: Backache or pain is quite common in both males and females. Before discussing lower backache in females let’s take a look at the anatomy or structure of a back. The basic anatomy of the whole back or spine is the same for both, upper with cervical, middle with Thoracic.
The first step to understanding low back pain is appreciating the normal design of the tissues of this area of the body. Important structures of the low back that can be related to symptoms in this region.
Back Pain in Male and Female and Treatment
The bony lumbar spine is designed so that vertebrae “stacked” can provide a movable support structure while also protecting the spinal cord from injury. The spinal cord is composed of nervous tissue that extends together down the spinal column from the brain. Each vertebra has a spinous process, a bony prominence behind the spinal cord that shields the cord’s nervous tissue from impact trauma.
Vertebrae also have a strong bony “body” in front of the spinal cord to provide a platform suitable for weight-bearing of all tissues above the buttocks. The lumbar vertebrae stack immediately atop the sacrum bone that is situated in between the buttocks. On each side, the sacrum meets the iliac bone of the pelvis to form the sacroiliac joints of the buttocks.
The discs are pads that serve as “cushions” between the individual vertebral bodies. They help to minimize the impact of stress forces on the spinal column. Each disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central, softer component (nucleus pulposus) and a surrounding, firm outer ring.
The central portion of the disc is capable of rupturing through the outer ring, causing irritation of adjacent nervous tissue and sciatica as described below. Ligaments are strong fibrous soft tissues that firmly attach bones to bones. Ligaments attach each of the vertebrae to each other and surround each of the discs.
The nerves that provide sensation and stimulate the muscles of the low back as well as the lower extremities (the thighs, legs, feet, and toes) all exit the lumbar spinal column through bony portals, each of which is called a “foramen.”
Many muscle groups that are responsible for flexing, extending and rotating the waist, as well as moving the lower extremities, attach to the lumbar spine through tendon insertions.
The aorta and blood vessels that transport blood to and from the lower extremities pass in front of the lumbar spine in the abdomen and pelvis. Surrounding these blood vessels are lymph nodes (lymph glands) and tissues of the involuntary nervous system that are important in maintaining bladder and bowel control.
The uterus and ovaries are important pelvic structures in front of the pelvic area of women. The prostate gland is a significant pelvic structure in men. The kidneys are on either side of the back of the lower abdomen, in front of the lumbar spine. The skin over the lumbar area is supplied by nerves that come from nerve roots that exit from the lumbar spine.
What are the common causes of lower back pain?
Common causes of low back pain (lumbar backache) include
• Lumbar strain,
• Nerve irritation from Lumbar “http://www.medicinenet.com/radiculopathy/article.htm” radiculopathy, bony encroachment, or Inflammation of nerves.
• Conditions of the bone and joints.
Bone and joint conditions: that lead to low back pain include
• Those existing from birth (congenital),
• Those that result from wear and tear, degenerative or due to injury, and
• Those which are due to inflammation of the joints (arthritis)
The bottom line is that most lower back pain symptoms will go away on their own in 2-3 weeks without requiring a visit to a doctor. If you do continue to have severe pain or any other associated conditions mentioned above they should seek out a doctor.
