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Back Pain Treatment in Kenya

Safe, effective treatment

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor or miss work, and it is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Back pain is common; it can range from a minor nuisance that resolves on its own, to a chronic problem that limits mobility and diminishes quality of life. In most cases, back pain does not require urgent care. But, when the pain persists and does not improve after a few days, medical attention may be needed.

NSOC health specialists in Kenya help you heal from, or prevent, the debilitating effects of a sore back.

Types of back pain

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Back pain ranges from mild to severe, and is classified as either acute or chronic.

  1. Acute low back pain often relates to soft tissue injury (e.g., sprains of muscles, tendons, or ligaments) or disc herniation. Acute pain occurs suddenly and usually heals within several days to weeks. Its severity relates directly to the extent of tissue injury and resolves over time. It is often called acute mechanical back pain, because the source of the pain may be in the spinal joints, discs, vertebrae, or soft tissues.
  2. Chronic back pain lasts more than three months and its source may be hard to determine. It may be present all the time, or worsen with certain activities, poor posture, and improper body mechanics. Other contributing factors may be related to nerve cell changes, tissue scarring, arthritic changes, or psychological effects of chronic pain.

What are the symptoms of back pain?

Signs and symptoms of back pain may include stiffness, tightness, aching, pressure, tingling, or burning, stabbing or shooting pains. Most people experience pain primarily in their low back area which may spread to the buttocks, thighs, or knees. Many people may also experience muscle spasms.

The symptoms are generally more noticeable when bending or arching the back, when lifting heavy objects, or when sitting or standing for long periods of time.

If you experience extreme leg weakness or difficulty controlling bladder or bowel function, you should seek medical help immediately.

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Causes of back pain

Back pain can result from injury, poor posture, stress, natural wear, disease, and other sources. Poor spinal alignment from slouching, sleeping on the stomach and improper movement such as poor lifting technique, stress the spine and make injuries more likely.

Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:

  • Pinched nerve: When a spinal nerve is compressed, pain may run down your leg into your feet, called radiculopathy.

  • Arthritis. Osteoarthritis can affect the lower back. In some cases, arthritis in the spine can lead to a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, a condition called spinal stenosis.

  • Spondylolysis:  A weakness or stress fracture develops in one of the bony bridges that connect the upper and lower facet joints.

  • Osteoporosis. Your spine’s vertebrae can develop compression fractures if your bones become porous and brittle.

  • Bulging and herniated disc: The gel-like material within the disc can bulge or rupture through a weak area in the surrounding wall (annulus). Irritation, pain, and swelling occur when this material squeezes out and comes in contact with a spinal nerve.

Causes of back pain during pregnancy

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Back pain during pregnancy isn’t surprising, but it still deserves attention. Pregnancy back pain typically happens where the pelvis meets your spine, at the sacroiliac joint. The following are some likely causes:

  1. Weight gain: During a healthy pregnancy, women typically gain weight, the spine has to support that weight. That can cause lower back pain. The weight of the growing baby and uterus also puts pressure on the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvis and back.

2. Posture changes: Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity. As a result, you may gradually, even without noticing, begin to adjust your posture and the way you move. This may result in back pain or strain.

3.  Muscle separation: As the uterus expands, two parallel sheets of muscles (the rectal abdominis muscles), which run from the rib cage to the pubic bone, may separate along the center seam. This separation may worsen back pain.

Promoting wellness

How can you prevent back pain?

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You can avoid back pain or prevent its recurrence by improving your physical condition and learning and practicing proper body mechanics. Here are a few steps you can take to help reduce the back pain you are experiencing:

  • Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight strains back muscles. If you’re overweight, trimming down can prevent back pain.

  • Exercise. Regular low-impact physical activities  that don’t strain or jolt your back can increase strength and endurance in your back and allow your muscles to function better. Walking and swimming are good choices. Regular physical activity can keep your back strong and might relieve back pain during pregnancy.

  • Build muscle strength and flexibility. Abdominal and back muscle exercises, which strengthen your core, help condition these muscles so that they work together like a natural corset for your back.

  • Wear appropriate gear. Avoid high heels and other shoes that do not provide adequate support.

  • During pregnancy, focus on maintaining good posture when you’re seated or standing. Stand straight, with your chest high, and your shoulders back and relaxed.

  • During pregnancy, try sleeping on your side, not your back, with pillows tucked beneath your belly and between your knees for gentle support.

Back Pain Treatment

Our goal is to provide each patient with complete back pain relief. Each custom care plan incorporates the latest medical advances.

In developing a treatment plan, your NSOC spine specialist in Kenya will assess the type of disease or condition you have and its impact. A team approach for the treatment of back problems is often the most effective. Medical treatments include surgical or nonsurgical care and self-care strategies.

Self-care

Most back pain resolves with self-care measures such as rest, ice or heat, massage, over-the-counter pain relievers, or gentle stretches. Applying ice and then heat is helpful to relax the muscles and decrease muscle inflammation. A warm shower or a heating pad on the low setting may help relax tight muscles.

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Medications

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. If you have spasms, a muscle relaxant may be prescribed for 3 to 4 days. If the pain is severe, an analgesic that can be taken with the NSAID or muscle relaxant may be prescribed.

Physical therapy

This helps you to return to full activity as soon as possible and prevent re-injury. Our professional physical therapists will instruct you on proper lifting and walking techniques, and they’ll work with you to strengthen and stretch your lower back, leg, and stomach muscles. Stretching and strengthening exercises are key elements to your treatment and should become part of your life-long daily routine.

Surgical Treatment Options for Back Pain

Surgical options for back pain include:

  • Laminectomy. This is a surgery performed to enlarge the spinal column when spinal stenosis (narrowing) causes pressure on the nerve roots. A laminectomy involves removing the lamina, the backside of the spinal canal that forms a roof over the spinal cord. Along with lamina, doctors often remove any bony protrusions, or spurs, which may have formed as a result of osteoarthritis of the spine.

  • Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. These two similar procedures are performed to relieve the pain and, possibly, other problems associated with compression fractures of the vertebrae.

  • Spinal Fusion. Spinal fusion is a  process by which two or more vertebrae are fused together for form a single immobile unit. It is used to stop the motion that normally occurs between the vertebrae and, in doing so, relieve pain that is caused or aggravated by movement, such as bending, lifting or twisting, or to stabilize a spine that has been damaged by infections or tumors. It also may be used to stop the progression of a spinal deformity, such as scoliosis, to treat injuries of the vertebrae, or to stabilize vertebrae that become loose due to a defect in the facet joint.

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