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What is the cause of lumbago :
In reality it is often difficult to know the real reason for lumbago. This is a type of low back pain. Usually this type of lower back pain is caused by overloading the spinal cord. This is why it is quite common with younger people who have a physically demanding job.
There are plenty of potential situations where it can happen - the patient suddenly makes the wrong movement, usually a combination of turning around and bending over, lifting something in the wrong position, working sitting down in the wrong position, or unilateral pressure being exerted on the back.
Lumbago can also have other causes. Psychological factors such as stress, overwork, depression, fear and deep emotions can all play a crucial role. For old age pensioners, osteoarthritis is one of the main causes of lower back pain.
The conclusion is that different factors can cause lumbago. In reality, many patients do not find a directly related reason for their back problem and attempt to fight off the pain.
The history of lumbago :
The term first appeared in the 1600s, then used mainly by doctors. It became more popular amongst the non-medical population and was widely used even in the 1960s and 70s.
The term lumbago is derived from Latin – with lumbus meaning loin. Hence, lumbago means ‘weakness in the loins’ (which does conjure up a number of visions), or alternatively, ‘weakness in the lower back’ which is a more accurate description.
We commonly consider lower back pain to be a modern-day phenomenon and indeed, it appears that the sedentary lifestyle enjoyed in our civilised world may contribute to the problem. However, the fact that lumbago was described in the 1600s suggests that our ancestors also suffered back problems.
It is likely however, that in those days, it was not a lack of exercise or bad posture that contributed to the problem, but rather, degenerative conditions such as arthritis.
Symptoms of lumbago :
The main symptom of lumbago is pain in the lower back or lumbar region of the spine. This is usually associated with aching, muscle tension and stiffness in the lower back which may be severe enough to interrupt normal everyday activities and movement. Sometimes, this pain may be described as a back strain.
Other symptoms of lumbago include pain radiating down one or both legs. When this happens, it indicates that a nerve is either irritated or ‘trapped’ in the back – a condition known as sciatica.
See your doctor If your back pain is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Inflammation or swelling of the leg or back
- A feeling of being depressed
- Incontinence of bladder or bowel
- Blood in urine
What should do to improve lumbago ?
If you suffer from lumbago, you can help yourself by:
- Regular gentle exercise such as walking, swimming or try some back pain exercises
- Making sure that you do not carry excess weight
- Reducing the amount of acid-forming foods in your diet – read our page on the fibromyalgia diet
- Reducing the stress you face or managing it better as stress will only increase tension in your muscles
- Improving your posture whilst sitting or standing
- Being careful when lifting heavy objects.
Treatment options for lumbago :
Treatment of lumbago usually starts with the need for pain relief. This may be achieved with the use of everyday pain-killers such as aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen – either purchased from your pharmacy or prescribed by your doctor. Alternatively, herbal pain medication such as Arnica gel orA.Vogel's Devil’s claw can be used.
From the conventional point of view, low back pain is treated using physiotherapy and exercise. Those using complementary therapies will be aware of osteopathy and chiropractic treatments as well as acupuncture in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as lumbago.
Read more about - Lower back pain : Symptoms & Causes
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