Lumbago
Name(s):
Back-ache
Back pain
Nature
Lumbago affects the muscles of the lower part of the back and can cause disabling pain of a cutting or stabbing nature. It is generally regarded to be of rheumatic origin and does not respond readily to treatment, so that it is likely to affect future as well as present earning capacity and health. Once a patient has had one attack of lumbago or sciatica, he is four times as likely to have another; in addition, a number of occupations may lead to earlier onset of spinal degeneration.
Background
Lumbago is specially apt to occur in the back muscles after they have been strained or subject to some other injury which causes tearing of the muscle fibres. The pain of lumbago is believed to be due to an inflammatory condition in the connective tissues of the muscles, causing congestion of the blood vessels and consequent pressure upon the endings of the sensory nerves. This condition is also called "fibrositis". In other cases, lumbago occurs in people with gout and the attacks take the place of an ordinary attack of gout.
Incidence
Disorders of the lumbar region of the spine are the commonest of all lesions affecting the joints of the human body. Millions of work-days are lost to industry each year by back disorders and injuries. For example, a recent industrial survey mostly involving coal mining, found an average sickness absence of 12 weeks arising from all lumbar disorders including injuries.
Broader
Narrower
Aggravates
Kidney disorders [in 5 loops]
Aggravated by
Value(s)
Reference(s)
Type
(E) Emanations of other problems