Lower back pain is a very common problem that can exist due to a wide variety of things. These may include muscle strains or ligament sprains. Sometimes, it is due to an injury, such as a fall. Other times, it may be the result of degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis or disc disease. Low back pain can also be caused by incredibly commonplace things like poor posture or sitting for long periods of time. 

Lumbar pain can usually be diagnosed based on a person’s symptoms and medical history. However, sometimes imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs may be ordered to rule out other potential causes of the pain. 

There are many different treatment options available for lower back pain. Often, simple home remedies like ice and heat can be very effective. Conventional treatments for pain issues include over-the-counter or prescription medications, and physical therapy. 

In this article, we will not only discuss the common treatment options available for lower back pain but also the advanced alternative that has shown effective results for patients. We will also discuss the availability of this modern treatment for lower back patients in Pakistan.

Low back pain is a general term that characterizes discomfort in the lower region of the spine. This includes the area between the bottom of the ribcage and the top of the pelvis, which bears most of the body’s weight.

Lower back pain is frequently described as a dull, yet constant aching in either the lumbar spine or tailbone area. However, the pain may vary from mild to severe depending on its origin. In serious cases low back ache can interfere with the patient’s daily activities or even the ability to walk or sleep.   

Causes behind lower back pain can range from posture issues to injuries and diseases. The pain itself can be chronic or acute depending on the causes and how well the symptoms are managed. Physical therapy, massage, chiropractic care, or even surgical procedures are some of the common treatments for low back pain. 

Furthermore, modern regenerative treatments like stem cell therapy are rapidly becoming the optimal treatment option for many people across the globe.

Lower back pain is a commonplace condition and affects people of all age groups. Lower back discomfort affects almost four out of every five persons at some point in their lives. This means around 16 million adults go through low back pain due to varying reasons. Yet, its persistence doesn’t mean it’s easy to cope with.

Certain people have a higher risk rate of lower back discomfort. Following are some of the risk factors that increase a person’s chances of developing lower back pain :

There are certain aspects of our life that we chose for ourselves. If we look closely these factors can reflect our priorities and can even define us as a person. Following are some choices that might not be ideal for your health.

Most patients that suffer from lower back pain are in a line of work that involves extreme stress on the back. Sitting for long hours, constantly lifting heavy weights, or even bending for long hours can increase the occupancy of back injury.

Untreated anxiety or depression can manifest itself in many forms. Neglecting mental health for long can develop back discomfort.

Sure a little extra weight doesn’t hurt anyone. However, for an adult, it is important to maintain a body mass somewhere between 18.5 and 24.9. A BMI of 30 or higher can cause serious health issues. Excess weight can easily lead to lower back pain because it puts more pressure on spinal discs and joints.

One possible kind of risk factor for lower back pain is a medical condition. While it’s not always the case, it’s worth considering if you’re experiencing persistent discomfort.

Aging wears the elasticity and cushioning of the spinal disc. Hence, people above the age of 30  are more prone to develop back issues.

The structural deformity can develop due to various diseases and complications. Arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer, and scoliosis can alter the spinal alignment resulting in severe lower back pain.

Lower back pain is common in pregnant women. As they can develop due to a combination of factors, including weight gain, a change in the center of gravity, and hormones that loosen the ligaments.

You might have noticed that conditions that are more common, have a ton of symptom variation. Similarly, the symptoms of lower back pain may appear gradually or suddenly. The pain can also arise from specific movements like bending. Following are some of the symptoms that accompany lower back pain.

The causes of lower back pain range from acute (short-term) to chronic (long-term) conditions. Some of the most common causes include muscle strains, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, kidney issues, and spinal stenosis.

Spinal stenosis is among the leading conditions that cause lower back pain. It occurs when the spaces in your spine narrow, causing pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This can result in lumbar issues, including pain, numbness, and weakness in your legs and buttocks. 

In some cases, it can also cause difficulty walking. Spinal stenosis is more common in older adults, but it can also occur in younger people who have certain conditions, such as scoliosis or Paget’s disease. If you’re experiencing lower back pain, consult your doctor to see if spinal stenosis may be the cause.

Lumbar discomfort is a leading cause of disability worldwide. There are many different causes of lower back pain, but one of the more skipped-over causes is kidney infections and stones.

Kidney stones are one of the more common reasons for lower back pain. They develop when there’s too much calcium or other minerals in your urine. As your urine becomes more concentrated, the minerals can form crystals.

These crystals can grow into larger kidney stones. Small kidney stones may pass through your urinary tract without causing any pain. But large kidney stones can get stuck in your urinary tract and cause severe pain, including lower back pain.

Kidney infections usually occur when bacteria from your digestive system get into your urinary tract through your urethra and begin to multiply. This infection can cause lower back pain as well as fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. 

If left untreated, a kidney infection can become serious and even life-threatening. If you think you may have a kidney infection, it’s important to see a doctor right away so you can get the proper treatment.

Any lower back pain sufferer will tell you that the discomfort can range from irritating to debilitating. And while there are many possible causes of lower back pain, one of the most common is muscle strain.

Muscle strains occur when the muscles and tendons in the back are stretched beyond their capacity. This can happen suddenly, as a result of an awkward movement, or it can develop over time, due to poor posture or repetitive motions. Either way, a muscle strain can lead to significant lower back pain. In severe cases, the pain may radiate down into the legs, making it difficult to walk or stand for long periods of time.

Back pain is a common problem that plagues people of all ages. While there are many potential causes of back pain, one often-overlooked culprit is arthritis. Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect any joint in the body, including those in the lower back. 

When the joints in the lower back become damaged, they can no longer support the spine properly, leading to pain and stiffness. In addition, arthritis can cause inflammation and swelling in the joints, which can further contribute to lower back pain. 

If you are experiencing chronic lower back pain, it is important to talk to your doctor about the possibility of arthritis. With early diagnosis and treatment, you can help to relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Lower back pain can also develop due to degenerative disc disorder. The discs in your spine act as cushions, absorbing shock and helping to keep your spine flexible. Over time, these discs can become damaged and begin to deteriorate.

This process is known as degenerative disc disease, and it can lead to a host of symptoms, including lower back pain. In some cases, the discs can rupture, putting pressure on the nerves in your spine and causing pain. Degenerative disc disease is most common in people over the age of 40. The condition itself can be debilitating.

Lower back pain can be a result of many different conditions. However, determination of the cause is required for proper treatment. In order to diagnose the cause of your lower back pain, your doctor will likely perform a physical examination and ask you about your medical history. They may also order one or more of the following tests:

– An MRI or CT scan to assess the anatomical structures of your spine

– X-rays to look for bone spurs or other abnormalities

– A bone density test to check for osteoporosis

– Blood tests to look for infections or other conditions that could be causing your pain

Depending on the results of these tests, your doctor will be able to develop a treatment plan to address your lower back pain.

Lower back pain requires proper attention and medical care in order to subside. Many people in Pakistan skip visiting their doctors and try to cope with back pain through household remedies. However, if the pain persists for more than a few days, it could be indicative of a more serious problem. Fortunately, there are several conventional and innovative treatments that are medically proven effective for lower back pain.

The common treatment for lower back pain includes medication, exercise, massage therapy, physical therapy, and surgical treatment.

Lower back pain is a common ailment that can be treated with medication. There are a variety of medications available that can help to relieve lower back pain. These can include anti-inflammatory medications or muscle- relaxants. In some cases, a combination of different medications may be necessary to achieve optimal results.

According to the American Physical Therapy Association, lower back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek out physical therapy. Physical therapists work with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that may include exercises, manual therapies, and education on proper posture and lifting techniques. In many cases, physical therapy can help to reduce lower back pain and improve function.

Surgery is often considered a last resort for treating lower back pain or lumbar discomfort. There are several types of surgery that can be effective in treating lower back pain, depending on the cause. 

For example, if the lower back pain is a result of a herniated disc, a surgeon may recommend a disc replacement or fusion. If the discomfort occurs due to spinal stenosis, surgery may involve removing part of the vertebrae to widen the spinal canal. 

The common treatments for lower back pain have their limitations. Physiotherapy is effective but it can’t treat patients with severe lumbar issues without the help of medications or surgery. The medications can have major negative effects on the patients. Lastly, Most surgical treatments are invasive and not without risks.

In contrast to traditional treatments, modern treatments like regenerative medicine are a better alternative. Regenerative medicine works by using the body’s own natural abilities to repair itself. It is a treatment that is minimally invasive and has little-to-no side effects. 

Additionally, regenerative medicine not only treats the symptoms but also addresses the underlying causes of the condition.  As a result, it is becoming an increasingly popular treatment option for many conditions, including lower back pain. 

Regenerative treatment has several types. However, the most advanced and effective regenerative treatment is achieved through cellular therapy. These therapies entail introducing cellular material to the patient. A common example of these cellular therapies is stem cell therapy.

In the past 2 decades, stem cell therapy has gained a prominent position in the medical field as a non-invasive, risk-free treatment to address multiple conditions. As a regenerative treatment, stem cell therapy initiates a rejuvenating response from damaged cells in the body. This treatment involves the use of stem cells that can be collected from different parts of the human body. 

Our bodies contain stem cells, which are unstructured and unspecialized cells. These cells have the ability to self-multiply and differentiate, which aids in the natural repair of physiological damage. This damage can be a result of aging, disease, or trauma. 

With age, the stem cells within our bodies grow scarce and can hardly achieve the required results to repair the damage. People with conditions like lower back pain have an additional reason that makes them good candidates for stem cell therapy. 

The spine lacks a sufficient amount of blood flow to carry out a proper repair process. Thus, damage to the lumbar area or SI joint needs additional help to enhance the regeneration of damaged tissues and bones.  

Stem cells extracted from the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid are significantly potent due to their unique properties. Their characteristics include anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, differentiation, and rapid self-renewal. Furthermore, both these sources provide an abundance of young stem cells that are free from environmental influence. 

Additionally, the Food and Drug Association of the USA regulates treatments done with these stem cells because they are ethically donated and free of any moral concerns. Umbilical cord stem cells show great promise for future treatments for lower back pain along with many other conditions.

Clinical evidence suggests that umbilical cord stem cells can not only treat the symptoms but also the causes of lower back pain. The following are some of the effects of stem cell therapy on patients suffering from back discomfort.

1. Stem cells induce an anti-inflammatory response to reduce the pain in the lower back.
   

 

2. Stem cells have differentiating capacities that allow them to specialize in any functional cells that are damaged. These can include nerves, cartilage, ligaments, bone, and tissue cells.

 

3. When an injury causes lower back pain, the stem cells provide relief by turning into healthy tissue cells. These healthy cells replace or repair the damaged cells to improve the condition.

 

4. Nerve damage is a prominent symptom of lower back pain. Especially if degenerative disc disease is the reason behind it. Stem cells repair the inner lining of the nerves. These cells also stimulate vessel growth to improve oxygen and blood flow. Improvement in nerves repairs the cell signals that accelerate the repair process and boost the overall sensory and motor functions.

 

5. These cells can also generate new cartilage, ligament, and tendon cells, which can help to repair lumber joints and lessen the impact of sprains and strains dramatically. This function rehabilitates spinal flexibility and the ability to move.

 

6. Stem cells induce “paracrine signaling,” which is the ability of stem cells to influence the behavior of other cells. Stem cells stimulate the growth of receptive molecules, cytokines, and antioxidants.

 

7. Other immunomodulatory properties of stem cells can fight against infections and ulcers that might contribute to developing back discomfort.

 

You might be wondering if there’s any possibility that you can prevent lower back pain from occurring. As we discussed, lower back pain can be a result of so many different diseases and conditions. Unfortunately, the pain that results from other diseases can’t be avoided. However,  there are certain measures you can take to avoid injury in the lumbar area. 

• The first precautionary step you can take is correcting your posture. If you’re someone who spends long hours in front of their screens, make sure to keep your back straight.

• If your work requires sitting or standing for a long time, make sure to take a 10-15 min break and even stretch a little every 1-2 hours. 

• Weak core muscles can cause lumbar issues. To avoid this type of back discomfort, maintain a healthy weight and work out 3 to 4 days a week to strengthen your core.

• A lot of us make the mistake of not warming up before working out. A proper warm-up before and after the workout can reduce the chances of strains and injuries. 

Ignoring lower back pain is not a good idea. Even in cases where the pain is minor, make sure you remedy it with proper rest and pain relievers. However, there are some situations where seeing a doctor is usually the best option.

• If you notice that your pain persists even after a week. 
• If you feel severe stabbing pain or muscle spasms.
• If you experience bowel and bladder problems along with the pain.
• If you feel compression on one side while sitting or radiating pain from the lower back to the legs.

Are you suffering from back pain? If so, you’re not alone. Lower back pain affects millions of people worldwide. The good news is that there is a growing number of clinics that offer pain management services in Islamabad. 

Shifa Regenerative and Rejuvenation clinic is at the forefront of innovative and cutting-edge treatment providers for pain management in Islamabad. Our clinic offers high-quality umbilical and amniotic fluid stem cells for lower back pain and over 82 different diseases and conditions.

Shifa Regenerative and Rejuvenation clinic in Islamabad is registered with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP). We have assembled teams of expert physiotherapists, nutritionists, and stem cell therapists to guide our patients throughout their recovery journey. 

Our clinic provides expert consultations to patients that are interested in learning more about stem cell therapy in Pakistan. We aim to provide healthcare services to people suffering from stubborn conditions. If you want to consult an expert for your back discomforts or if you want to learn more about stem cell therapy, contact us at [email protected]