What Is Causing My Leg Cramps During the Night?
Leg cramps can leave you restless throughout the night, making it difficult to get any restorative sleep. Here are some potential causes of leg cramps and one way to alleviate them.
Top 5 Causes of Lower Back Pain
According to experts, nearly 80% of Americans will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Though some incidences of lower back pain are resolved quickly, others can stretch into exhausting, chronic ordeals.
Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine is located in Ramsey, New Jersey. Dr. Kevin McElroy and Dr. Steven Ferrer provide a number of treatments for lower back pain, ranging from physical therapy to electrical stimulation. If your lower back pain is beginning to significantly impact your life, a confirmed medical diagnosis and appropriate treatment can put you on the path to recovery.
Top 5 causes of lower back pain
When you ask someone what the most important part of the body is, they might point to the head or the heart. However, your spine is responsible for helping you walk, stand, and sit upright. This is why lower back pain is so debilitating.
Your spine is made up of multiple vertebrae, which are stacked vertically and cushioned by discs that absorb shock and allow for flexion. Nerves and muscles are also clustered along your spine to help you move and twist your body.
Lower back pain can be the result of:
1. Herniated (slipped) discs
When a disc in your back develops a tear, bulges, or dislodges itself, it puts pressure on the nerves in your spine. Herniated discs are just one of the many lower back conditions we can treat in our office.
2. Spinal stenosis
As you age, your spine begins to slowly narrow. This narrowing squeezes the nerves and spinal cord, causing pain.
3. Arthritis
Different types of arthritis can cause back pain. When your spine is arthritic, your lower back can feel like the bones are grinding and grating against one another.
4. Bursitis
A bursa is a fluid-filled sac around your joints where they connect to your spine. If bursae between your hip and your back become inflamed, they can cause lower back pain.
5. Muscle strains
If you work a manual labor job and accidentally injure muscles in your back, you can end up with persistent lower back pain.
Treatments for lower back pain
Depending on what’s causing your pain, your doctor can diagnose the issue and begin discussing treatment. The severity of your condition can affect your treatment options, so it’s hard to know exactly what treatment will work until you’ve received a thorough examination and diagnosis.
Popular treatments for lower back pain include:
- Physical therapy
- Electrical stimulation
- Stem cell therapy
- Osteopathic manipulation treatment (OMT)
- Acupuncture
These treatments can be combined with bed rest and pain medication to alleviate pain and promote healing. If you’re having trouble getting through the day with lower back pain, don’t put off treatment any longer.
To schedule a consultation with Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine, call 201-201-0443, or request an appointment online.
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