Learning More About Lower Back and Leg Pain

The spine is made of ligaments, tendons, and bones that work together to enable movement. With time, this movement can lead to damages that result in lower back pain. Leg pain is often caused by problems with the lower back where the sciatic nerve originates and branches from the lumbar spine to the thigh. Lumbar nerves travel to different parts of the leg. Diagnosis of someone suffering from leg pain must include lower back examination for proper treatment.

Causes

In most cases, soft tissues injuries and mechanical issues cause lower back pain, which later leads to leg pain. Tearing of muscle or ligament results in a sprain and strain. This can happen suddenly and continue developing with repetitive movements. Common causes are:

• Falls
• Lifting of heavy objects
• Poor posture
• Injuries when playing sports like golf
• Age
• Being overweight
• Lack of regular exercise
• Sleeping on hard mattresses
• Wearing of high heels
• Infections
• Accidents
• Tumors and autoimmune disease

Symptoms

Lower back pain can be bothersome and limit day to day activities. This pain is at times accompanied by neurological symptoms like weakness which comes suddenly. It originates from the lower back into the leg. The pain is described by patients as burning, numbing and excruciating. Symptoms include:

• Occasional stiffness and pain on the lower back during the day
• Pain in the pelvic, buttocks, and thighs
• Difficulty in standing, sitting, and walking
• Needle-like sensations on the leg and lower back

What to do to relieve pain

One can try to avoid positions that increase lower back pain. When sitting, its essential to use a lumbar support or sit on a cushion to avoid pressure on the hips. Improve flexibility in the hips when walking or standing; avoid stretching as this can cause flare up of nerves that are irritated. Also, maintain a good posture and doing regular exercise increase stability. People should be careful not to worsen symptoms when doing exercises. Taking medication to relieve pain will greatly help but if the problem persists one should seek help from a doctor.

Diagnosis

For the physician to understand your problem better, he will refer to your medical history to get an insight on your condition. It is helpful to give every specific detail when responding to medical questions. Keeping records of surgeries or medications is very important as it helps design a treatment plan and explore other available options. Diagnosis of the underlying problem is effective for treatment.

Treatment

Majority of patients are treated non-surgically by use of anti-inflammatory medications, exercise, and therapy. However, some patients require surgical intervention when non-surgical treatments have failed to provide relief. These are patients whose nerves have been damaged severely resulting in bladder problems or paralysis.

Top 5 Routes for "Lower Back And Leg Pain"

1. World Health Organization The website provides information about how lower back pain and leg pain is a leading cause of disability and common reasons for consultation.
2. SpineHealth This site offers information on the common causes of lower back and leg pain.
3. WebMD Offers pain management techniques and common symptoms of lower back and leg pain.
4. Healthlink BC Explains what is lower back pain and ways of preventing it from returning after treatment.
5. American Association of Neurological Surgeons Talks about the benefits of relying on surgery for treatment for leg and lower back pain at times outweighs the risks.