Lumbar Spondylitis ( Low Backache)
What is Lumbar Spondylitis
Lumbar Spondylitis or Spondylitis is commonly referred as backache. Spondylitis means inflammation of vertebra (spine bone). Lumbar Spondylitis is the inflammation of the lumbar vertebra (present in lower back). Based on the causative factor it can be classified as acute backache (less than 6 weeks) or chronic backache (More than 12 weeks).
Types of Spondylitis:
1) Cervical (Neck region) Spondylitis: There is swelling of the spine present in back of neck. Symptoms are pain in neck region which may radiate to one or both hands with weakness and/or tingling numbness in arms.
2) Lumbar Spondylitis: In lumbar Spondylitis lumbar spine is involved causing pain in lower back region.
3) Ankylosing Spondylitis: Ankylosing Spondylitis is an autoimmune disease which affects spine and hip joints.
Causes of Lumbar Spondylitis
1) Injury: Acute or chronic strain to ligaments, tendons or muscles of lower back. Injury can be caused due to overstrain or improper use of muscles such as lifting heavy weights.
2) Nerve irritation: Nerve irritation can be caused due to compression of spinal nerves, lumbar radiculopathy (wear and tear of the lumbar disc) or due to inflammation of the nerves due to viral infection such as shingles (Herpes).
3) Bony encroachment: Growth of vertebra can lead to narrowing of space causing compression of nerve roots or spinal cord.
4) Bone and joint disease: it includes diseases which are congenital, injury, degenerative bone and joint conditions such as arthritis.
5) Other causes can be diseases related to kidney, pregnancy, ovary problems and spinal tumors.
Symptoms of Lumbar Spondylitis:
Pain in lower back. This can also be associated with tingling or numbness of lower extremities, inability to walk, fatigue,stiffness and weakness of lower limbs.
How to diagnose lumbar Spondylitis:
In diagnosis of backache it is very important to review the clinical history of the illness, any underlying medical condition and physical examination of the patient. Apart from this further tests and investigations such as blood tests (to rule out infection), X ray, CT and MRI scan, bone scan, nerve conduction studies are required.
Treatment for Lumbar spondylitis:
In conventional medicines commonly painkillers such as Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and physiotherapy is advised.
Homeopathic treatment for Lumbar Spondylitis:
Homeopathy can effectively treat backache internally without any side effects. There is significant relief seen in pain and associated symptoms such as stiffness, weakness, tingling and numbness of legs etc and thus increases the mobility of joints.It helps in slowing down the progression of disease and hence prevents the joints from destruction.In mild to moderate cases homeopathic have wonderful scope in treating Lumbar spondylitis. But in cases where disease process has been advnaced and lead to destruction of the joints; in that cases homeopathy can offer excellent palliative treatment.Patients who are on pain killers for long time can gradually reduce its use and stop it after starting Homeopathic medicines with Doctor’s advice. Homeopathy is strongly suggested in chronic backache. Some cases may require Homeopathy and Physiotherapy for faster recovery. Reduction in weight is advisable to those who are overweight.
