Lumbago is a term that isn’t used very often anymore. When the term was used regularly, it was actually a non-medical term that meant low back pain. More specifically, in current terminology, lumbago refers to the lumbar area of the spine, ranging from mild to severe. Let’s look into what lumbago is and the symptoms and treatments for it.
While lumbago is a general term for lower back pain, it can lead to problems in the extremities, such as pain, tingling or numbness. In addition, the pain can be throbbing, burning or shooting as various nerves are affected by the lower back issues. The most common nerve that becomes impinged, causing radiating pain down into the foot, is the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.
Sciatica is excruciatingly painful for those who suffer from it. Because the sciatic nerve is pinched or impinged at the lower back and runs down the leg into the foot, it can be disabling, making walking difficult. In addition, the longer the nerve remains impinged, the worse the nerve damage becomes.
Generations ago, doctors thought lumbago might be rheumatism brought on by cold, damp weather. Instead, people often suffer lumbar area pain when they lift improperly or more than they should. Lower back pain can also come from or be exacerbated by many things, including a poor mattress, poor posture, a slip and fall or another type of fall. Our chiropractors offer chiropractic care for lumbago pain.
Common symptoms signal lumbago, the primary one being pain in the lumbar area. This can include muscle tension, stiffness and achiness. Severe cases will begin to interfere with mobility. If the pain remains localized, it can still be debilitating. Strong pain can restrict movement of the spine when leaning backward or bending over.
Lumbago progresses to pain from the low back through the back of the thigh into the foot. It becomes tingling and even become numbness if not treated. The sciatic nerve runs to the foot, and nerve damage can be permanent if left unattended. In addition, you might notice pain when you cough or sneeze. Finally, there can be inflammation or swelling in the back of the leg. If this is what you are experiencing then it's time to get chiropractic care for lumbago pain.
Lumbago can be treated if caught before permanent nerve damage has begun or progressed beyond restoration. One of the most effective treatments for lumbago and a pinched sciatic nerve is chiropractic care.
All chiropractic care manipulates the spine, so movement is easy and free of impingement or pain. The nerves in our body receive messages in the spinal column and are distributed to the appropriate body part. Some things are automatic, like the heart beating, lungs breathing and reflex muscle movement. Our other functions require the brain to tell the body what to do. The nerves are the wiring our bodies’ electrical system uses to communicate.
Contact Lakes Chiropractic today if you suffer from lingering lower back pain, or lumbago.
