Figures shows that the annual incidence of spinal cord injury is about forty million in the United States alone with about eleven thousand new cases every year. The most common spinal cord syndrome among the six mentioned above is the CCS or Central Cord Syndrome (JAMA, April 1971). Most patients with SCI need inpatient rehabilitation during its acute period.
Causes of Central Cord Syndrome
Central Cord Syndrome is a result from posterior and anterior compression in the spinal cord which often results to hemorrhage, edema or ischemia in the central section of the spinal cord. The location of most of these injuries is found in the middle to lower cervical cord. In this case the arms are more affected than the legs.
Symptoms of Central Cord Syndrome
The most common symptoms of CCS are motor weakness in the upper extremities and do not affect much the lower extremities. Although there might be a sensory loss below the level of affected area and urinary retention may both happen.
This syndrome affects those patients who are advance in age, individuals who are fifty years old and above and they most likely affect males more than females. Although this may strike younger individuals especially athletes who suffers hyperextension injuries in the neck.
Diagnosis of such conditions include complete medical history of the patient, complete neurological exam and some imaging test like X-Rays, CT scan and MRI.
Treatment for such condition usually involves non-surgical and surgical treatment. Surgical treatment is not necessary if the condition is not that severe. Doctor often recommends non-surgical treatment which involves immobilization of the neck, steroids and rehabilitation involving occupational and physical therapy.
Most patients who suffer from CCS recovers from its motor function. Recovery may even be sooner if the cause of their CCS is edema. The leg function is mostly the first to return followed by bladder control and arm movement. The last would be the hand and finger movement.
Prognosis for such condition for younger patient is quite good. They recover fast and get back to their daily activities however for the elderly, the prognosis is not as favorable even with or without surgical intervention.
]]>In order to know the cause of pain in the middle back, let us first try to know where middle back is. The middle back or spine is the thoracic part of the back. The back consists of cervical spine which consist of the neck and next is the middle spine or thoracic and of course the lower back. The vertebrae are the bones that made up the spine and in between these bones are discs. Within the vertebrae is the spinal cord which contains the nerve roots that runs to the brain and down to the legs.
What is the most common cause of middle back pain in the left side? The most common cause is a strained muscle and this usually happens with strenuous exercise. Other factors that can cause strained muscle are poor posture, obesity or a sudden twist that can stress the muscles. If this is the case then conservative treatment is all you need.
Other causes of middle back pain in the left side aside from muscle strain are aging. When you advance in age, most parts of your middle back starts to deteriorate. With age, the tear and wear of cartilage between the bones starts, this alone causes pain and stiffness in movement. Another common cause for middle back pain in the left side is Arthritis which causes inflammation in the joints and is often a result of old age. Fortunately most cases of arthritis is not that severe and can be manage but if the inflammation is too severe and there is swelling already then immediate medical attention is necessary.
Most of this condition which brought middle back pain in the left side can be managed through conservative measures. The most common treatment so far is rest and taking of anti-inflammatory medications. This is to lessen the pain as well as improve any swelling if there is any. Another good way to treat this condition is through exercise. Performing the right stretching exercise and its proper techniques can help tremendously in relieving pain and in improving the flexibility and strength of its muscles. The best way is spinal manipulation (Spine 2011, issue 18).
Left middle back pain can be prevented and one way to prevent that is through maintaining a good posture no matter what you do. Whether you are sitting, standing or lifting something from the ground, learn to exhibit the right posture. Aside from exercising right posture, maintaining the proper weight is also important and you can achieve this through a well balance diet and exercise.
]]>Symptoms of such upper back pain can range from mild to severe pain from strenuous activity or from an injured joint which might be cause from lifting or twisting. In some cases it can produce persistent pain as a result from poor posture. Most problems in the upper back can manifest to shoulder blade pain, upper back pain between shoulder blades or can even appear as middle back pain.
Back pain in the upper left side can also be a symptom of more serious conditions like heart conditions, lungs and even abdominal problems. So if you doubt that the pain is cause by some musculoskeletal problem then consults your doctor or your healthcare provider. But the most common cause of upper left side back pain is due to poor posture over a long period of time especially those who often work in front of the computer. Other cause of pain in the upper left side may be due to arthritis or bulging disc.
Treatment for such pain varies depending on the real cause of the problem. If pain is due to mechanical problem due to wrong posture or stress then you can go for a massage. Massaging the affected area for a minute every hour can help a lot in relieving the pain. The most important thing is to correct the wrong posture you have maintained for so long.
If the cause is much serious then make sure to consult your doctor so as to be given the right treatment for your condition.
]]>As for the senses, loss of it is incomplete. Most of the time your sense to temperature and pain is lost but your sense to position and vibration is still there. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for anterior cord syndrome. Treatment program often consist of rest, surgery and drug therapy to manage the condition.
Of all the kinds of cord syndrome, anterior cord syndrome hast the worst scenario or diagnosis. If recovery is clearly seen during the first day or twenty-four hours then prognosis for such condition is good but if there is loss of senses then the hope for functional recovery is very poor. Patients who have this diagnosis (loss of senses) have very low percentage of recovering their bodily functions. In fact only about ten to fifteen percent of patients showed functional recovery.
]]>Pain in the back of the head and neck is a common symptom. The neck is made up of seven vertebrae, muscles, ligaments and nerves. Since the muscles in the neck is attach to the skull then any problems encountered in the neck can lead to headaches or pain at the back of the head. Most causes of head and neck pain are not really that serious but there are also cases that they are. So if you ever experience pain that often spreads into the shoulder or arm and does not go away in a few days should be brought to the attention of your doctor.
Causes of pain in back of head and Neck
Muscle Strain resulting to Myogenic Headaches. Muscle strain can happen fast and in most awkward moments when your muscles are not ready for it. Sports injury as well as whiplash from car accident is the most common scenario for muscle strain. This strain can result to what they call as myogenic headache. This headache is cause by the tightness or stiffness of the neck muscles. Symptoms of myogenic headache includes mild to severe pain in one or both sides of the head, pain usually spreads to the eyes, temples and top of the head; Pain from the neck and spreads in the back of the head as well as the jaw; and pain can last for a few hours or several weeks.
Poor Posture Resulting to Vertebrogenic Headaches. Most individuals these days spend most of their time hunched over their computers or desk without observing proper posture. Wrong posture can result to stress in the muscles, joints and ligaments in the neck which supports the head. Through time the muscles can become tight and weak and loses flexibility which will lead to pain.
This results to Vertebrogenic headaches. The pain starts from the neck which often spreads to the back of the ears, eyes and towards the top of your head. This is a result from bad posture because of the misalignment of the vertebra joints thus the joint dysfunction. Symptoms often includes a constant dull pain in one side of the head, tenderness in the neck, pain in the back of the neck that spread to the back of your head and eyes; and headache can last from several hours to weeks.
Arthritis. Pain in the neck can be associated too to osteoarthritis. It is actually a wear and tear of the spinal structures. Bone spurs often develops so that this growths can put pressure on tissues and nerves thus causing a radiating pain.
Tension Headache. This is one of the most common headaches individuals experience. To some it is just mild although to some it can be chronic. This is due to constant smoking, drinking alcohol, hormonal changes especially in women, eye strain, poor posture, fatigue and constant stress. Symptoms include general pain in the back of the head and neck; tightness of muscle at the back of the neck and duration of headache is short if taken with analgesics. Tension headaches can be effectively manage too with stress management therapy and taking of antidepressant medication (JAMA 2001).
Migraine Headache. Second most common cause of pain at the back of the head and neck is migraine. This is cause by the slow blood circulation in the head and neck due to constriction of the blood vessels. This triggers a migraine attack. Symptoms of migraine includes pulsating pain just in one side of the head, sensitivity to sounds and light, vertiligo, vomiting, nausea, pain usually occurs in the morning and it usually lasts for several hours or even forty-eight hours in severe cases.
Cancer. If the pain in the back of the head and neck do not stop even if given conservative care then it is important that you go check with your doctor to rule out any possibility of a tumor. Tumors can develop in the vertebrae of the cervical spine which can cause severe pain and other symptoms.
]]>Rest. Rest is first and foremost the first thing that you should do when you experience lower back pain. Just lie down with your back in the floor and use one pillow under your head and the same under your knees. This position helps relieve the pressure in your back.
Hot/Cold Therapy. Heat applied to the affected area can lessen the pain. You can use heating pads or hot water bottles and you can apply this heat for twenty to thirty minutes. This will enhance your blood circulation. If there is swelling in the lower back then you use ice pack. You can massage the affected area with an ice pack for seven to ten minutes. This can lessen the tensions in the muscle.
Massage and use of Herbal Oils. Massage is great for lower back pain especially if use with some homemade herbal oils. Massage can reduce pain for it aids in getting rid of tension and relax the aching muscles. Coupled with some herbal oils this can really be an effective home remedy for lower back pain. Several studies supports that massage is much better than any medications in treating low back pain (Annals of Internal Medicine 2011).
For the herbal oil, you can get three to four garlic cloves, two teaspoons of mustard, coconut or sesame oil. Warm this two for several minutes in the fire until the garlic turns brown already. Let it cool and strain out the brown garlic out. Use the oil in massaging your lower back. Another effective oil to use is eucalyptus oil and mint oil. You can use several drops of this oil in the affected area for a few minutes everyday.
Exercise. You can do some stretching exercises at home but be warned, if you experience pain during the exercise then stop immediately. Some Yoga exercises are also beneficial to your lower back. You can try out the Raised feet posed, Locust posture, Cobra pose, Corpse pose or Plow pose.
Teas. A cup of chamomile tea can serve as great stress reliever. You can boil a cup of water and add a tablespoon of chamomile flowers. Let this simmer for few minutes in low fire. Strain this out and add a teaspoon of honey to the strained water. Two to three cups a day can be effective in reducing back pain.
Another is ginger root tea. The process is the same as above but instead of chamomile flowers use ginger root instead. It is also effective in treating back ache.
Mashed Potato. Another popular home remedy for back pain is the application of mashed potato. How to do it? Potato is peeled and cut into cubes and boiled. Mash this boiled pieces and apply in the back when cool. Hold the potato in place with a bandage. Hold it in place for an hour. You can add up whole oats with vinegar with your mashed potato and apply the mash hot to your back to relieve pain. You can also use a cabbage leaves. Just boil the leaves in milk till it turns o a jelly like mixture. Spread this mixture in a cloth and apply hot. Leave it overnight to relieve pain.
Vitamin C. For your diet, increase intake of vitamin C. As much as possible get it naturally by eating plenty of strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes and other high source of vitamin C.
These home remedies should be able to help you relive of your lower back pain temporarily or even permanently. If back pain still persists then consult your doctor. If you have not experience back pain yet then make sure to prevent from having one. Have the proper care to avoid one and you can by observing the following;
• In lifting an object, always squat down and lift the object, retain a straight back and raise your body up. Never bend your hips or knees when lifting an object.
• When you move a heavy object, just push but do not pull it towards you.
• Use flat shoes as much as possible and avoid heels over one inch high.
• If your work needs you to drive or sit for long hours then take a break for several minutes and stretch your back.
• Always maintain a good posture at all times.
Back Pain That Causes Stomach Pain
A degenerative condition or spine injury can result to local pain and also stomach pain. If there is a pinched nerve then it can cause pain in the area which the pinched nerve covers. If this pinched nerves covers the digestive system or any other organ function in the stomach then dysfunction and pain can result. Muscular back pain is also responsible with muscular abdominal pain. Any injury to these muscles can affect the other.
Psychologically Induced Pain Syndrome (PIPS)
A lot of people who has unresolved stomach and back pain might suffer from psychological induced pain syndrome. The most common signs of this syndrome are stomach distress and lower back pain. The stress and other emotional issues that cause psychological back pain may also be responsible for chronic intestinal disturbances. One common example for stomach problems related to stress is Ulcers.
Since some of the cause of back pain as well as stomach pain is stress related and psychological, a new concept is introduced in treating such condition and is supported in the study titled New Concept for Backache: Biopsychosocial pain syndrome (Eur Spine J 2008).
But be warned that severe stomach pain can be an onset of a serious health problem. Kidney infections or stones can cause pain in the stomach and back parts of the body. Other problems in the body like liver failure, diverticulitis, appendicitis or gallstones can lead to severe back and stomach pain. So make sure to get a thorough check up if you suffer unexplained severe stomach pain.
What to do with Back and Stomach Pain?
These two conditions often come together so that if you experience chronic back pain and also experience some intestinal or stomach problems then do not be alarmed. The emotional as well as physical effect of stress can cause back pain as well as stomach problems. Pain conditions of the back can often lead to Colitis, acid reflux, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome.
The best thing to do is consult your doctor to rule out any other serious problem involve. If it is cause by emotional and physical distress then simple conservative treatment can be done like rest coupled with exercise. You will be surprise to see that when you are relieve from back pain, you get relieve too with your abdominal problems as well and vice versa.
]]>Pelvic Tilt
Bend your knees and tighten your stomach. Squeeze your buttocks together and press your lower back to the floor. The purpose of this exercise is to stretch back muscles ad strengthen the stomach.
Single Knee to Chest
Put one knee to your chest and keep the other leg down. Hold the position for a few seconds before switching to the other leg. This exercise aims to stretch the lower back, hips and buttocks.
Double Knee to Chest
Pull both of your knees to your chest then lower your legs to the floor and straighten the knees. It aims to stretch lower back, hips and buttocks.
Straight Leg Raise
Raise one leg with knee straight. Keep toes pointed toward the head. The other knee may be kept straight or bent. It aims to stretch thigh muscles and hip.
Lower Back Rotation
Bend knees together with feet on the floor. Drop knees to one side while keeping your trunk flat. Turn your head on the opposite side. Do it in alternate sides. This exercise aims to stretch lower back, hips and oblique.
Partial Sit-Ups
Bend your knees and put hands behind your head. Raise head and upper body, raising your shoulders off the floor. Do not strain neck and do not pull with your arms but you may put your hands across your chest or on your thighs. This exercise aims to strengthen the stomach.
Hip Lift
Bend your knees and tighten your stomach. Squeeze your buttocks and slowly raise your hips off the floor. Do not push mainly using the legs. This aims to strengthen the buttocks.
These are just a few of back exercises for lower back pain relief. It is no wonder why more people are opting for exercise program for it is safe and is proven to be effective in relieving pain as supported by various research and studies that are conducted. In fact you will read this in one issue of Medical News Today entitled “Back Pain Best Treated by Combination of GP, Exercise and Manipulation” (BMJ 2004). It only shows that exercise in combination with other treatments will surely work miracles.
]]>Before starting your stretching exercise, do not forget to warm up and start slowly. When you start to perform your back stretches, start out with five repetitions and never push yourself beyond the point of discomfort. If it does not give you any problem then you can increase the number of repetitions up to 15 counts. Here are the best stretching exercises for lower back pain.
Cat Stretch
This is considered to be one of the simplest stretches for lower back pain. It is recommended that you perform this stretch first thing in the morning and just before you hit your bed. This aims to lessens pressure in the spine. If you have a cat pet at home you will be familiar at how a cat stretches. That is exactly how you are going to do the stretch.
Position yourself in the floor on all fours. Gradually raise your head and slowly pull your abdominal muscles in towards the floor. This will make an arch of your back. Stretch as far as you can as long as you are comfortable with it. Gradually start dropping your head and tuck in your chest and as you perform that, raise your back up in the direction of the ceiling. This is considered one count and you can repeat it ten to fifteen times depending of your convenience.
Gluteal Stretch
With your back flat on the floor and extend both your feet, fold your right knee and pull it towards your chest by holding your knee at the back of your thigh. Pull your knee as much as you can till you feel a stretch in your thigh and lumbar spine. Hold it for a few seconds and then release. Do with the other leg and repeat the same process.
Hip Flexor Stretch
This is another simple stretch which you can do anywhere and anytime. This stretch is recommended to do every hour. Stand straight and gradually start folding the right leg until it touches your buttocks. Hold the leg with your hands and stay in this position for about ten seconds and then release. Repeat the same on the other leg.
Pelvic Tilt
To perform this stretch, just lie on your back and bend your knees with your feet place in the floor. Tighten your abdominal muscle and gradually raise your buttocks off the floor. Make sure that you press your back onto the floor. Hold this position for fifteen to twenty seconds without holding your breath. Try to repeat this stretch ten to twelve times.
Slump Stretch
Position yourself in the floor that is kneeling down in all fours. Just make sure that your weight is equally distributed between your knees and hands. Allow your back to slump down like you are trying to get your navel down to the floor. Hold this position for ten to thirty seconds and return to your original position. You can repeat the series again. This stretch has showed to be effective in managing non-radicular low back pain (Man Ther 2006).
Wall Sit
Stand up straight with your hips and back against the wall. Just keep a distance about one foot between the wall and your feet. Slide down but make sure to keep your back flat against the wall until your thighs is parallel to the floor. Hold this position for fifteen seconds and release. Repeat this stretch fifteen times.
One important thing to note, always consult your doctor before you start any stretching exercise and if you are ready to perform it then make sure not to overdo it for it can do more harm.
]]>This headache often occurs when the spinal fluid leaks into the epidural space. One way of treating such complication is through an epidural blood patch. An epidural blood patch procedure involves the use of your fresh blood injected into the epidural space to seal the leak and once the leak is sealed then the headache starts to go away.
The injection of blood only takes about five to ten minutes though you have to stay in the hospital for about an hour and half. You will have to be prepared before the actual procedure and you have to stay in the recovery room for a couple of minutes. The only medication use in this procedure is a local anesthetic to numb the area where the blood will be injected. You will be fully awake while the blood patch is done.
Procedure of Epidural Blood Patch is simple. You will lie down in your stomach in the procedure table. You will be closely monitored with your blood pressure and oxygen levels all throughout the procedure. A fluoroscope will be use by an x-ray technician to your lower back and they will work along with your doctor to ensure that the injection of blood is injected in the right area.
Your back will be cleaned thoroughly with an antiseptic. A blood will be drawn from you which will be injected into the epidural space. A 15 to 25 cc will be injected. After the procedure, you will rest for about thirty minutes before a nurse will assist you to stand up and start walking several feet. The headache usually starts to fade away right after the procedure.
How effective is the procedure? The epidural blood patch brings relief to headache through stopping the leak and this procedure is effective in ninety to ninety-seven percent of cases. This has been proven and is supported with a study which is published at Anesthesia and Analgesia.
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