Part 2**
Low bak pain can be many kinds and cause, from simple fatigue to more serious causes which need medical attention. Whenever low back pain persists, or one experiences persistent referred pain in other areas of the lower body (it is of course hard to know whether pain is referred — except that one cannot pinpoint the cause of the pain), it is well worth having it checked out by a medical professional.
- Nerve Root Compression: This refers to the half-inch of a nerve as it exits the spine. The ‘sleeve’ that protects the nerve is sensitive to pain, and compression on the nerve — and this ‘dural sleeve’ compression is caused by a herniated or protruding intervertebral disc that is pinching it. This can cause ‘referred pain’ to the buttock, thigh, lower leg, or foot.
- Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal through which the spinal cord runs, or a narrowing of the openings through which the nerves branch out from the spine. Usually found in the elderly, and develops slowly over a long period of time. The narrowing of the space puts pressure on the nerves, and the symptoms are a gradually increasing numbness, weakness, and pain in the low back and legs.
- Bone Spurs — Osteophytic Root Pain: A type of nerve root pain caused by compression on the nerve from the growth of a bone spur. Often there is no pain, but only decreasing sensation in the leg, or weakness in the leg or foot.
- Spondylolistheses: A congenital condition in which two adjoining vertebra are misaligned (listless means ‘to slip’). A vertebra may be one quarter to one half inch out of alignment, whether anteriorly or posteriorly. The stress from this misalignment can make one or more vulnerable to injuries. Thi scondition occurs most frequently in the low back.
- Cancer at the Spine: Cancer in various parts of the body can sometimes spread to the spine. The most common symptoms of this is pain, which may be localized in the spine, may be more generalized, or may resemble the kind of referred pain to the buttock, thigh, lower leg, or foot, that is typical of nerve root compression. The pain caused by cancer tends to be constant, worse at night, and not relieved by rest. It gets worse with strenuous activity. Nerve compression from cancer can cause weakness in the legs and feet, difficulty walking, and urinary problems leading to incontinence. Spinal fractures due to rumor growth are also quite possible.
** Any symptoms resulting from the above should be explored by medical professionals for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Rafael Durán 