LOW BACK PAIN DIAGNOSIS - ALL ABOUT LOW BACK PAIN
Most people who are suffering don’t really know what is happening back there. You soon find out that every other person you meet is an expert and will tell you exactly what to do. People say “ It’s the muscle or it’s the nerve”
The fact is it is often both and the vertebral joint also.
Sketch of Pelvis for Diagnosis
Let’s look at what is most probably going on.
For various reasons the vertebral joint becomes irritated. There are many possible causes some mentioned on my page “About Low Back Pain.”
The nerve root which branches off the spine exits through a space between two vertebral joints. This space is dependent on the intervertebral disc and can be affected by any inflammation in the joints attached to the spinous processes.
Nerves are tricky things, the spinal nerves are usually doing their thing without any help from you, but if they are continually being stimulated by some extra pressure after a while they fire off and stimulate the muscle they are supplying. This is the sudden spasm that is often experienced. Now if this muscle is part of a large group it can cause a massive contraction.
The contraction then causes the vertebrae to be constricted thus further pinching the nerve. So now we have a vicious cycle involving the joint, the nerve and the muscle
The first thing to check is leg length.
Lying on your back get someone to check the inside ankle joints (see illustration) then check the levels of the iliac crests (See illustration)
According to the following results you can proceed as indicated.
Ankle levels equal( Medial Malleoli), Iliac crests equal — (1)
Ankle Level Iliac Crest Equal
Ankle levels (Medial Malleoli )unequal, e.g. Right Side up, Iliac Crest right side up . or vice versa i.e Left ankle up left iliac crest up
Probable muscle spasm on that side…….(2)
Ankle levels unequal Medial Malleoli e.g. Right side down Iliac Crest right side up (A), or vice versa Left ankle down Left Iliac Crest up(B)
Possible Anatomical Long Right Leg (A)
Possible Anatomical Long Left Leg (B) (3)
Fig 3 Anatomical Long Leg
In all cases lie on your stomach and feel along your spine for tender spots see diagram,
Possible Tender Spots
Any questions Please feel free to ask below.
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