Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Functions of the low back, or lumbar area, include
structural support, movement, and protection of certain body tissues.
Pain in the low back can relate to the bony
lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and
discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the
pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.
Treatment of low back pain is optimally directed toward a diagnosed or suspected
specific cause. For acute lumbar strain, use of a home remedy initially can be beneficial.
What is the anatomy of the low back?
The first step to understanding low back pain is appreciating the normal design
(anatomy) of the tissues of this area of the body. Important structures of the
low back that can be related to symptoms in this region include the bony lumbar
spine (vertebrae, singular = vertebra), discs between the vertebrae, ligaments
around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back,
internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar
area.
The bony lumbar spine is designed so that vertebrae "stacked" together can
provide a movable support structure while also protecting the spinal cord from
injury. The spinal cord is composed of nervous tissue that extends down the
spinal column from the brain. Each vertebra has a spinous process, a bony
prominence behind the spinal cord, that shields the cord's nervous tissue from
impact trauma. Vertebrae also have a strong bony "body" (vertebral body) in
front of the spinal cord to provide a platform suitable for weight bearing of
all tissues above the buttocks. The lumbar vertebrae stack immediately atop the
sacrum bone that is situated in between the buttocks. On each side, the sacrum
meets the iliac bone of the pelvis to form the sacroiliac joints of the
buttocks.
The discs are pads that serve as "cushions" between the individual vertebral
bodies. They help to minimize the impact of stress forces on the spinal column.
Each disc is designed like a jelly donut with a central, softer component
(nucleus pulposus) and a surrounding, firm outer ring (annulus fibrosus). The
central portion of the disc is capable of rupturing (herniating as in a
herniated disc) through the outer ring, causing irritation of adjacent nervous
tissue and sciatica as described below. Ligaments are strong fibrous soft tissues that firmly attach bones to bones. Ligaments attach each of the vertebrae to each other and surround each of the discs.
The nerves that provide sensation and stimulate the muscles of the low back as well as the lower extremities (the thighs, legs, feet, and toes)
all exit the lumbar spinal column through bony portals, each of which is called a "foramen."
Many muscle groups that are responsible for flexing, extending, and rotating the waist, as well as moving the lower extremities, attach to the lumbar spine through tendon insertions.
The aorta and blood vessels that transport blood to and from the lower extremities pass in front of the lumbar spine in the abdomen and pelvis. Surrounding these blood vessels are lymph nodes (lymph glands) and tissues of the involuntary nervous system that are important in maintaining bladder and bowel control.
The uterus and ovaries are important pelvic structures in front of the pelvic
area of women. The prostate gland is a significant pelvic structure in men. The
kidneys are on either side of the back of the lower abdomen, in front of the
lumbar spine.
The skin over the lumbar area is supplied by nerves that come from nerve roots
that exit from the lumbar spine.
Reviewed by Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD on 3/12/2012
Perhaps you bent the wrong way while lifting something heavy. Or you're
dealing with a degenerative condition like arthritis. Whatever the cause, once
you have low back pain, it can be hard to shake. About one in four Americans say
they've had a recent bout of low back pain. And almost everyone can expect to
experience back pain at some point in their lives.
Sometimes it's clearly serious: You were injured, or you feel numbness,
weakness, or tingling in the legs. Call the doctor, of course. But for routine
and mild low back pain, here are a few simple tips to try at home.
Chill it. Ice is best in the first 24 to 48 hours after an injury
because it reduces inflammation, says E. Anne Reicherter, PhD, PT, DPT,
associate professor of Physical Therapy at the University of Maryland School of
Medicine. "Even though the warmth feels good because it helps cover up the pain
and it does help relax the muscles, the heat actually inflames the inflammatory
processes," she says. After 48 hours, you can switch to heat if you prefer.
Whether you use heat or ice -- take it off after about 20 minutes to give your
skin a rest. If pain persists, talk with a doctor.
Sciatica pain, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically radiates from the low back to behind the thigh to below the knee. Disc herniation is
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