Causes of Lower Back Pain and Possible Treatments

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Your lower back is a significant place in your body. Besides just adding structure to your spine, it also helps protect specific organs. Your lower back also improves your movement and posture. When you experience lower back pain, that throws everything else out of whack. You may even find that you can’t stand properly. There are many causes of lower back pain. This article will discuss some of the most popular reasons for lower back pain and how you might find relief.

Causes

Sometimes you may experience lower back pain because of an injury that was brought on through strain. If you lifted an extremely heavy object, for example, you could have sprained either the muscles, tendons or the ligaments found in your lower back. The continued use of your lower back can cause tears to form in these areas. This is called a lumbar strain. It can either be acute or chronic. This strain is the most common reason for lower back pain. While it occurs most commonly in older adults, it can happen to anyone through an accident or injury.

Lumbar radiculopathy is another cause of lower back pain. This describes a situation in which the nerves are irritated because the discs in the spine have been damaged. This damage can be given through simple wear and tear. It could also be a result of an injury. The pain occurs when the disc ruptures in the center. It then causes the nerves to become irritated, which causes you a great deal of pain.

Bony encroachment is another cause of lower back pain. This is a condition in which the vertebrae starts to grow. It limits the space of the spinal cord and its nerves. This can occur due to Arthritis or other conditions.

Treatments

In regards to lumbar strain, the procedure can be as simple as resting. Sometimes all you need to do is keep from lifting heavy objects or bending your back in a certain way for some time. The body will naturally heal the tears on its own. However, you might also be given pain relievers to ease the muscle spasms that you receive from the injury. Using heat can also sometimes help reduce the lumbar strain. A heat press can be applied to the lower back in an attempt to relax the muscles and tendons. Another method for treating lumbar strain is a massage. This should be performed by professionals who are experienced in treating lumbar strains. Otherwise, they might make the problem worse. Finally, you may be asked to undergo reconditioning in an attempt to help strengthen your back.

To help lumbar radiculopathy, one of the reasons treatments that someone might receive is a cortisone injection. They might also receive several physical therapies to help ease the pain like massages, heat applications, electrical stimulation, and even an ultrasound. To help with the discs, surgery may be necessary. This surgery is done to remove the herniated disc.

Treatments for bony encroachment can vary. The factors that determine a particular treatment are age, health, and the overall situation of the infringement. Sometimes all a doctor might suggest is specific exercises. Other times, surgery may be required. Surgical decompression is used to remove the bone that’s causing the problem for the spinal cord.

What is SSDI?

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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), also known as “worker’s disability” or Title II benefits, is a government program that pays workers a monthly stipend if they become disabled before retirement age. The insurance program was put into effect in 1965, thirty years after the passage of the Social Security Act.

Monthly payments are based on a person’s average indexed monthly earnings, and the typical payment averages a little over $1,100 a month. The highest benefit payment possible is currently about $2,700. Social Security Disability is managed by the U.S. Social Security Administration and funded by payroll taxes.

Who is eligible for SSDI?

In order to be eligible for Social Security benefits, you must meet the following three criteria:

1. You must have worked in a job covered by Social Security. So, for example, if you have worked as a pastor who is exempt from paying into social security, you would not be covered by SSDI. Most jobs are, however, covered by Social Security.

2. You must have a medical condition that Social Security deems as “disabled.” If you’re able to work and are earning more than $1,220 a month, you won’t be considered disabled. If you aren’t working, or you can’t work much, Social Security will consider whether your condition is severe enough to qualify. The administration maintains a list of medical conditions on its website. The Social Security Administration will also consider whether you can do the work you used to do or if you can be hired for another type of work.

3. You must have worked recently and worked long enough to qualify for SSDI. This is determined by your age and the number of “work credits” you have earned, which are calculated based on yearly wages.

How do you apply for SSDI?

It is important to apply for SSDI as soon as you become disabled. There are three ways you can begin the process to apply for disability benefits:

1. Visit your closest Social Security office in person.
2. Call 1-800-772-1213.
3. Visit the Social Security website and complete the online application.

When you apply, make sure you have the following information available:

• A list of medications you are taking and their dosages
• The results of any medical labs or tests you may have taken.
• Contact information for any clinics, doctors, or hospitals that have taken care of you and the dates you visited.
• Proof of age
• Your social security number
• Your most recent tax form and W-2

Once you have received a reply from Social Security, if your claim is denied, you will still have a chance to appeal the decision.

More information:

For more information on social security disability, or to apply online, visit: