Low back pain glossary

Acupuncture

A treatment based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a system of healing that dates back thousands of years. Thin needles are placed into the patient's skin for about 15-60 minutes. Acupuncture may produce complex effects on the brain and the body and may be helpful for back pain. Most states require acupuncturists to be licensed and confer a title (LAc) that these acupuncturists can use to identify themselves.

Acute low back pain

"Acute" means the back pain lasts less than one month and is not caused by any serious medical condition. Most cases clear up within one week, even without medical attention. However, recurrence of the pain after a first attack is common. (Compare acute to CHRONIC.)

Arthritis

A disease that involves inflammation of one or more joints. ("Arthr" refers to joints, and "itis" to inflammation.) Joint inflammation is the body's reaction to various disease processes. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the United States. This arthritis often results from years of accumulated "wear and tear" on joints, and tends to occur in the elderly in hips, knees, and finger joints. Rheumatoid arthritis involves an attack on the body by its own immune cells. (It is an auto-immune disease.)

Cartilage

Tissue in the vertebral disk that helps cushion and protect the vertebrae and which allows your spinal column to move more freely. (Cartilage is also the soft, rubbery tissue that makes up your nose and ears.) See also Disk.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

The cauda equine are four strands of nerve fibers in the lowest part of the spinal column. These fibers are sometimes called "the tail" of the spinal cord. In cauda equine syndrome, these fibers become trapped. You can lose control of bladder and bowel function. You may also feel dull pain or weakness or numbness in your buttocks, genital area, or thighs.

Chiropractor

A health care provider who diagnoses illnesses of the nerves, muscles, bones, and joints of the body. Spinal manipulation is the most common technique used by chiropractors. Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states. A chiropractic degree requires approximately the same number of educational hours as a medical degree.

Chronic low back pain

"Chronic" means the back pain persists beyond three months. It is long-term, continuous, or ongoing. A very small number of people have chronic low back pain after their initial episode of pain. (Compare chronic to ACUTE.)

Cox-2 inhibitors

Medications that reduce inflammation and pain. They are safer for your stomach and have fewer side effects than NSAIDs. Examples include celecoxib (Celebrex) and rofecoxib (Vioxx).

CT scan

A method of body imaging where the x-ray beam rotates around you. Small detectors measure the amount of x-rays that make it through the body area of interest. These images can be stored, viewed on a monitor, or printed on film. In addition, three-dimensional models of organs can be created by stacking the individual images, or "slices."

Degeneration

When a body part (such as bone) weakens and deteriorates.

Disk

The flat plate between each vertebra that cushions it. The disk has an outer covering made up partly of cartilage. The center of the disk has a jelly-like substance called the nucleus pulposus, which acts like a rubber ball to provide cushioning during compression. Each disk is like a shock absorber during physical activity, such as walking, jumping, or lifting, and allows the spine to extend and flex.

Extrusion

An extensive herniation.

Herniation

When the jelly-like substance (nucleus pulposus) within a vertebral disk bulges outward. This is usually because the disk has become very thin and weak. There are different degrees of herniation. Many people have slight bulging that causes no pain. Others have an extensive bulge (called an extrusion), which may cause pain.

Ligament

Tissue that connects bones and holds them together.

Lumbar vertebrae

The 5 vertebrae in your lower back.

Massage

A "hands-on" therapy in which muscles and other soft tissues of the body are manipulated to improve health and well-being. There are nearly 100 different massage and body work techniques. These range from gentle stroking and kneading to deeper manual techniques. Certified massage therapists complete a training program of 500 or more hours, take national board exams, and are licensed or registered in 29 states.

MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging -- a non-invasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct pictures of the body.

Muscle relaxant

A drug used to treat muscle spasm (tension in your muscles). Muscle relaxants don't actually work at the muscles. They work by telling your brain to relax the muscles. Because they affect the brain, you may become addicted to these medications if they are taken for a long period of time.

Muscle spasm

When a very tense muscle remains contracted.

Narcotics

A type of painkiller reserved for pain that is severe and not helped by other types of painkillers. Narcotics work by blocking your feeling of pain. Because these drugs work on the brain, you may become addicted to them. Examples include codeine, meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), and tramadol (Ultram).

Nerve condition tests

A way to study the activity of your back muscles and spinal nerves. Electrodes are placed on your skin and you are given small electrical shocks. With these shocks, the speed with which your nerves conduct the signal is measured.

Neurologist

A physician (MD) who specializes in nerve disorders and diseases, including the nerves that make up the spinal cord.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs -- the most commonly used type of medication for back pain. They work by blocking a substance called prostaglandin. Prostaglandins dilate blood vessels (leading to increased blood flow) and promote inflammation, both of which can cause pain. NSAIDs are available over-the-counter or by prescription. The prescription versions are generally stronger and longer lasting. Examples include ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn), tolmetin (Tolectin), and many others. Side effects include ulcers, bleeding, and high blood pressure.

Orthopedist

A physician (MD) who specializes in bone disorders and diseases.

Osteopathic doctor

A health care provider who specializes in diseases affected by the muscles, bones, and soft-tissues like cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Doctors of osteopathy (D.O.s) receive the same basic training as medical doctors (M.D.s). D.O.s also practice hands-on adjustments of muscles, bones, and ligaments, using these in addition to more conventional medical treatments. Most D.O.s are primary care practitioners, specializing in family medicine, internal medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, or pediatrics. A few can be found in other medical specialties as well. D.O.s have full practice rights in all 50 states.

Osteoporosis

The thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time. Throughout youth, the body uses calcium and phosphate to produce bones. If calcium intake is not sufficient, or if the body does not absorb enough calcium from the diet, bone production and bone tissues may suffer. As people age, calcium and phosphate may be reabsorbed back into the body from the bones, which makes the bone tissue weaker. Both situations can result in brittle, fragile bones that are subject to fractures, even in the absence of trauma.

Physical therapist

A licensed health care provider who specializes in helping people recover from injuries and diseases. They focus on helping people regain movement, take care of themselves, and function at work or home.

Recurrent back pain

Getting back pain more than once. This is not the same as continuous or long-term pain.

Ruptured disk

A sudden herniation that happens from a bad injury.

Sciatica

Pain that runs along your leg and often accompanies low back pain. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that branches off the spinal cord and travels down the hip all the way to your foot. If the sciatic nerve gets trapped or inflamed anywhere along this route, you may feel pain.

Spine

A column of small bones, called vertebrae, that run along the center of your back. The vertebrae support your entire upper body and protect the spinal cord.

Spinal cord

The bundle of nerves that runs through the spinal vertebrae. The spinal cord connects your brain to all of the nerves that transmit information to and from the organs and tissues of your body.

Spinal manipulation

The process of manually moving the vertebrae (spinal bones) beyond their passive range of motion. Performed by a chiropractor or an osteopathic doctor.

Spinal stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal. If this happens, even a minor injury can cause inflammation of the disk and pressure on a nerve.

Steroid

A drug that can be injected into the area of pain, used especially if your back pain persists for longer than a month. Steroids reduce inflammation and pain.

Vertebra

A segment of bone in the spinal column. The plural is vertebrae.