When you have back pain or a back injury, the “normalcy” of your day goes out the window. What used to be simple tasks, like tying your shoes, become extremely difficult. Things that used to only take a minute or two, like getting into your car or going down the stairs, now take double or triple the amount of time. And while these are all external examples, it’s important to learn about what’s going on internally. So, what does a lumbar injury do to your body?
The Lumbar Spine
Our spines are comprised of 33 different vertebrae which are separated into five different sections. These are anatomically known as the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx regions. The lumbar region consists of 5 larger vertebrae near the bottom of the spine. These vertebrae are larger than the others due to the fact they bear the most weight of the body. They also absorb the stress we put on our bodies each and every day.
Because of all this, lumbar injury and pain are extremely common. It is estimated that more than half of all adults will experience at least some kind of lower back pain in their lifetime. These types of injuries include:
- Sprains or strains
- Herniated discs
- Osteoarthritis
- Minor fractures
General Effects on the Body
Any lumbar injury will have sufferers feeling certain general effects. They include:
- Back pain
- Muscle tightness
- Stiffness
- Limited mobility
- Leg pain or numbness
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms
But What Else is Going On?
Our spine is essentially the telephone operator of the body. It is made up of millions of “messenger” nerves that transmit information between the brain and the rest of the body. When one vertebra is injured, all kinds of things can happen due to the communication line being hindered. The lumbar region is connected to our internal organs such as the large intestine, appendix, abdomen, and bladder!
Lumbar Injury and the Skeletal System
After an injury, it’s not uncommon for calcium and minerals to leave the bones as a means to help aid in repair. In some cases, these “extras” may build up in the urinary system and create stones. It’s advised that sufferers move around either through light activity or range of motion exercises in order to prevent this from occurring.
The Urinary Tract System
The kidneys and bladder make up the vital urinary tract system. And after a lumbar injury, you may find yourself having issues you didn’t have before. In some serious cases, sufferers were unable to tell whether or not their bladder was full. And in others, they had trouble pushing that urine out. Fortunately, there are a number of tools such as catheters, medication, and other therapies that can help a person regain that control.
The Digestive System
As we noted before, the lumbar region is connected directly to the large intestine. And while you will still have a functioning digestive system after a lumbar injury, your ability to control bowel movements may be hindered. The messaging between the rectum and the brain is slowed after a lumbar injury. Meaning that you may find issues stopping or starting a movement.
On top of that, remember that your abdomen will also most likely be affected by the injury. This means that you may not have as much abdomen strength or feel discomfort and pain when engaging them. This can cause both constipation and accidents.
Find Relief from a Lumbar Injury with Zock Family Chiropractic
If you or someone you know who is suffering from a lumbar injury, adding chiropractic care may be the natural preventative treatment you need. If you would like more insight into optimizing your body, Dr. Zock would love to discuss your thoughts and concerns. She can evaluate your body mechanics and help you decide what natural methods are best for your specific pain relief! Make an appointment in Cranberry to schedule an introductory session and provide you with a happy and healthy fall season!
* This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please contact a medical professional for advice.
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