• Phlebology and veins
• Bones and fractures
• Ligaments and sprains
• Joints and arthrosis
• Muscles and appendices
• The back and back ache

  All the conditions classed in alphabetical order

The back and its aches

Back Sciatica Lumbago Herniation of an intervertebral disk Scoliosis

Lumbago

What is backache?

Backache is often referred to as the "ache of our times" because many people suffer from it at least once in their life.

Backache can have a wide range of causes and depends on the morphology, past history and activities of each individual. Back pain can appear as a result of certain conditions such as arthrosis, herniation of an intervertebral disk, sciatica, lumbago and so on. Certain conditions are chronic, that is, they progress throughout life. Others are acute, that is, they occur following a false movement or physical overwork. The spinal column (or backbone) supports many mechanical and physiological constraints. The vertebrae are complex in structure: a network of ligaments, articular apophyses and intervertebral disks. They allow the spinal column to play all its different roles: mobility of the trunk and head, protection of the spinal cord and circulation of information through the nerves that come out of the spinal column and travel out towards the organs and muscles.

Back pain occurs:
- When one of the parts of the vertebrae deteriorates, as is the case in lumbar arthrosis, cervical arthrosis or herniation of an intervertebral disk.
- When the elements come into conflict with each other that is, when they "lean" on each other as is the case in sciatica or lumbago.

What is lumbago?

Lumbago is pain at the level of the lumbar vertebrae, that is, at the base of the back. More often than not, onset of the pain occurs suddenly after a false movement or an effort made trying to get up.

The contracture of the muscles in the spinal column causes the vertebrae to move and they then remain blocked in their position.
This is accompanied by compression of the intervertebral disk. Lumbago can double up as sciatica. In this case, the diagnosis is "lumbosciatica".
Without treatment, lumbago can become chronic and lead to herniation of an intervertebral disk.
Lumbago generally occurs when an individual tries to lift a heavy object off the floor without bending his or her legs, or after a sudden or even commonplace movement (such as getting out of bed). As with all contractures, lumbago can be caused by doing sport without warming up first. The individual remains blocked in a position and feels a "stabbing" pain. Lumbago is also referred to as "back strain".

Orthopaedic treatment

The orthopaedic solution has two objectives: to decrease the pain and to rest the contracted musculature.

During an episode, wearing a lumbar support belt makes it possible to recover a symmetrical position by relaxing the muscles.

Wearing a lumbar support belt can be recommended for prevention in people subject to lumbago (secondary prevention) or in people doing an activity at risk (primary prevention).
A lumbar support belt perfectly adapted to your morphology will allow you to continue your daily activities. There is a wide range of belts available tol fit in with your lifestyle.

The aim of wearing a lumbar support belt preventively is to increase the level of vigilance and thus avoid reproducing the dangerous movements.
In addition, by increasing intra-abdominal pressure (the " effet caisson") decreases the constraints on the vertebrae. Contrary to popular opinion, wearing a lumbar support belt (even for long periods) does not increase the risk of muscle loss (abdominal and dorsal muscles).