Lower Back Pain
(Lumbar Back Pain)
Medical Author: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
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10 Health Tips for Autumn Leaves Clean-Up
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
 In many parts of the country, raking leaves is a necessity during the fall
months. Both for those unaccustomed to physical activity and regular exercisers,
the dynamics of raking can lead to strain and injury to the back, shoulders, and
wrists, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that over 12,000 Americans
were treated for injuries directly related to leaf raking in 2004. Raking
requires a number of different activities, including twisting, bending, lifting,
and reaching, that utilize several different muscle groups. Improper use of lawn
tools along with the potential for tool-related accidents further compounds the
risk of injury to the bones and muscles.
You can ease the strain and pain of raking--fall's most taxing task by
taking the following precautions to minimize your risk of sustaining an injury...
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What is the anatomy of the low back?
The first step to understanding the various causes of low back pain is learning about the normal
design (anatomy) of the tissues of this area. Important structures of the low
back that can be related to symptoms there 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
(nervous tissue that extends down the spinal column from the brain) from injury.
Each vertebrae has a spinous process, a bony prominence behind the spinal cord,
which shields the cord's nervous tissue. They also have a strong bony "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 in between the buttocks. On each side, the sacrum meets the iliac
bone of the pelvis to form the sacroiliac joint of the buttocks.
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, which 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 joint 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 outer ring (annulus fibrosus). The central portion of the disc is capable of rupturing (herniating) 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) 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.
Next: What is the function of the low back? »
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