BACK ACHE/LUMBAGO/SLIP DISK : What is lumbago/back ache?

Our spine comprises of mainly the bones (vertebrae), the disks and the spinal cord .Bones (vertebrae) are stacked one on top of each other to form the backbone. Through these vertebrae passes the spinal cord .Discs are a kind of cushions that are positioned between two vertebrae. They act as shock absorber in the spine. These disks are round and flat in shape and are made up of tough outer covering which surrounds a jelly like material called nucleus. Although the slipping of the disc can be triggered due to a trauma like over stretching or lifting weight etc. It is difficult to pinpoint one single cause for this kind of disc problem. This problem often occurs out of gradual degeneration of the disk and is related to the aging process. Gradually over a period of time, as we age, the discs loose their water content and both the outer shell as well as the inner nucleus becomes stiffer and brittle. As the discs wear out, their outer covering becomes more prone to getting torn. It is when the outer covering of the discs that get torn and the nucleus moves out to irritate the nerve passing by, that the pain occurs. The pain can occur in back, hips or even legs. In severe cases relentless pain can occur even with simple movements causing one to lie down in one position for hours and days at a time. pain can sometimes radiate down the legs and this is called sciatica. Although the slipped disk can occur anywhere in the backbone, the lumbar (lower back area) is more prone for this kind of disk.

Background on the Sciatic Nerve, Pain and Diagnosis

Sciatica is pain in the lower extremity resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain of sciatica is typically felt from the low back (lumbar area) to behind the thigh and radiating down below the knee. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and begins from nerve roots in the lumbar spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb. The pain of sciatica is sometimes referred to as sciatic nerve pain. While sciatica is most commonly a result of a lumbar disc herniation directly pressing on the nerve, any cause of irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve can reproduce the symptoms of sciatica. This irritation of nerves as a result of an abnormal intervertebral disc is referred to as

radiculopathy. Aside from a pinched nerve from a disc, other causes of sciatica include irritation of the nerve from an adjacent bone, tumors, muscle, internal bleeding, infections, injury, and other causes. Sometimes sciatica can occur because of irritation of the sciatic nerve during pregnancy. Sciatica causes pain, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock down the back of the thigh to the back of the leg. The result is leg pain. Sometimes the pain radiates around the hip or buttocks area to feel like hip pain. While sciatica is often associated with lower back pain (lumbago), it can be present without low back pain. Severe sciatica can make walking difficult if not impossible. Sometimes the symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down. The pain relief by changing positions can be partial or complete. Sciatica is diagnosed with a physical exam and medical history. The typical symptoms and certain examination maneuvers help the health-care practitioner to diagnose sciatica. Sometimes, X-rays, films, and other tests, such as CT scan, MRI scan, and electromyogram, are used to further define the exact causes of sciatica.

Treatment

Colocynthis Gnaphallium

Rhustox.