Low back pain is one such issue that troubles a large portion of the population in Singapore. This issue often emerges from factors such as lifestyle, poor posture, or specific injuries. The intensity of low back pain can differ widely, from minor irritation to severe pain that can disrupt your daily life.
However, all hope is not lost and for those seeking respite from lower back pain, this article is for you. We will meticulously examine four common sources of lower back pain in Singapore and provide insights into diverse treatment approaches aimed at managing and effectively reducing discomfort.
4 Common Lower Back Conditions
Knowing about these common conditions can help you understand the root cause associated with lower back pain.
1. Sacroiliac Joint Pain
Sacroiliac joint pain refers to discomfort in the lower back and buttocks caused by problems in the sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis. This pain can result from injury, arthritis, or stress on the joint, often making movements like sitting or standing uncomfortable.
2. Piriformis Syndrome
Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle is compressed, irritated, or inflamed, putting pressure on the nearby sciatic nerve. This can lead to symptoms such as pain shooting down your leg and possible numbness, tingling sensations, or weakness in the lower limbs. This condition usually gets more uncomfortable with prolonged sitting or with activities that include hip rotation, like walking or ascending stairs.
3. Facet Joint Syndrome
Facet joint syndrome, occasionally termed facet joint arthritis, occurs when inflammation or degeneration affects the small joints. These joints are vital for facilitating vertebral motion, and their impairment can lead to an array of symptoms: discomfort, stiffness, and restricted mobility.
4. Coccydynia (Tailbone Pain)
Coccydynia manifests as an intense pulsing pain localised at the coccyx, more commonly referred to as the tailbone. A wide spectrum of underlying causes can precipitate this condition. Frequently, the root cause lies in traumatic incidents, extended durations of sitting, or the physical strain experienced during childbirth. The pain can manifest as sharp or dull and tends to intensify when a person sits or changes positions.
How to Treat Lower Back Pain
Modern treatments such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and facet joint injections can help lower back pain. Radiofrequency ablation interrupts the nerve pathways transmitting chronic pain signals, so your doctor targets them specifically in the lower back. By using precisely controlled heat, RFA creates a small lesion on specific nerves, preventing them from transmitting pain messages to the brain.
On the other hand, facet joint injections are also valuable treatments for lower back pain. These are local anaesthetic and corticosteroid injections, given into the spine joints to ease pain from local inflammation, injury, or degeneration of the lower back. In particular, they are very good for the treatment of lumbar arthritis or serve to alleviate pain for patients with chronic lower back pain.
Final Thoughts
The disruption of daily activities due to lower back pain is prevalent, yet understanding its origins and exploring treatment options can significantly reduce your discomfort. Modern minimally invasive treatments such as radiofrequency ablation and facet joint injections offer relief options for those who are struggling with consistent lower back pain.
At Total Pain Specialist Clinic, we are dedicated to improving your quality of life. Don’t let lower back pain stop you from living; contact us today to get the right treatment you need to live life pain-free!
Total Pain Specialist