Lower Back Pain And Kidney Pain - How To Tell If Your Back Pain Is Caused By A Kidney Infection

It is important to remember that kidney pain and back pain can have similar symptoms that have entirely different causes. You can have back pain symptoms that are caused by a kidney infection, while another person could have the exact same symptoms caused by a back problem.

When lower back pain is caused by a kidney problem.

Your kidneys are located to the left and right side of your spine directly above your hips. Pain from an infection in your kidneys will usually occur near this same general area, although it can radiate outwards thus complicating diagnosis. Many people describe the symptoms as a general tenderness or ache and not "pain." A strong, stabbing pain may be related to back problems and not the kidneys. The pain or tenderness can be due to an infection or it could be related to some type of injury to the kidneys themselves. For instance, an injury caused by a fall could compress one kidney impacting and damaging it.

In addition to kidney pain caused by accident or injury there are also symptoms that are associated with a kidney infection. Pain caused by an infection is much more common than that caused by physical trauma. In addition, with infections in the kidney there will often be other symptoms such as a fever, pain while urinating or blood in the urine.

How to tell if you have a kidney infection and what to do about it.

If you have a kidney infection, you will likely have some of the following symptoms: fever, chills, backache and pain. Nausea and tenderness near the infected kidney can also occur. Your doctor will diagnose the condition through tests of kidney functioning or by a bacterial test. Why two types of tests? Because there are two common types of kidney disorders, each with a different cause. Treatment and pain relief will likely include rest and antibiotics for any bacterial infections. Usually the treatment will last for several weeks, but certain people may have structural issues and require longer-term treatment.

The bottom line is that you want to get the right information about what might be creating your pain symptoms - do not self-diagnose. A kidney infection left untreated for many years can have catastrophic implications for your health. If there is a history of kidney infection in your family, or you have recently been in a fall or car wreck or had some other trauma that could have damaged your kidneys, you should consider seeing a doctor. The treatment for low back pain caused by poor posture or over exertion is different than the treatment for low back pain caused by a kidney infection. You want to treat the right condition.

Exercises To Relieve Upper Back And Neck Pain

When spending so many hours in front of a computer everyday for years, it's only natural that problems can develop. Based on the people walking into my office, extended computer use leads to neck and upper back pain. The pain can go on for years before the person decides that it's simply not going to away on its own and will need some additional help. Beginning exercises to relieve upper back and neck pain will counteract all the hours of bad posture that you've developed.

Gravity is a constant force that could care less if your spine is its most optimal position. When your spine is aligned and upright, it acts as one big shock absorber, keeping the force of gravity in check.

As your head begins to move forward into a bad posture position, the postural strain increases by a factor of 10 on your spinal joints, significantly increasing the pressure on your spine and making the neck and back muscles work harder than before.

Exercises to relieve upper back and neck pain will improve the strength of your postural muscles, removing their need to spasm every time they're tested. When a muscle can't keep up with the strain it's under, it's not uncommon for it to spasm to make up for that lack strength.

Just doing "any exercise" is not likely going to help your posture problem. Making sure the exercises you're doing are targeting the specific posture muscles that are causing the problem you've got will speed up your results.

Treat, Relieve, Cure Back Pain Now

Ouch! Your back hurts. You'll go to a doctor if it doesn't let up soon, but meanwhile, what can you do to treat back pain? Better yet, since you don't want to simply treat it, what can you to relieve back pain? Wait a minute. What can you do to cure back pain - now?!

While back pain can be excruciating, it is common. It is one of the leading reasons people visit doctors each year. Add those who don't want to visit a doctor, and the numbers are staggering.

Question is: how can you truly cure back pain?

You Don't Want to Hear This!

My own doctor told me last week that the best way to cure back pain is to begin, and consistently maintain, regular exercises to strengthen core muscles.

After telling me that, he gave a short laugh, and added, "But most people don't want to hear that."

How about you? If my doctor is right, you probably don't want to hear that you can cure back pain with regular exercise. You would rather hear that...

* a new chair will cure back pain while you watch TV

* a new prescription drug will cure back pain with daily doses

* a month in bed (paid sick leave) will cure back pain

* you should not exercise at all

I'm sorry, but what you and I really need is exercise that specifically targets the core muscle groups that support our backs.

Exercises to Cure Back Pain

The Texas Back Institute tells us that research shows more than two days of inactivity is harmful when you have back pain. Lying in a bed or reclining chair will only cause your muscles to weaken and become less flexible. As you move around, exercise improves blood flow to discs, joints, and muscles. Exercise relaxes spasms that are causing you pain, and speeds healing.

You need to get up and get gentle exercise if you expect to cure back pain.

The following daily routine will go far toward helping you actually cure back pain and keep it from recurring.

* Morning Rising: Begin your day by getting out of bed with this exercise. Roll on one side. Gently swing your legs to the floor while pushing up with your arms. When you are in a sitting position, stand up. This exercise will remind you every morning of your desire to cure back pain forever.

* Warm-up: Warm up your back before beginning exercises or rushing around getting ready for your day. Bend at the waist, and let your arms hang toward the floor. Do not stretch or bounce. Simply bend and hang, feeling your back lengthen. Then reach slowly for the ceiling, gently stretching upward. A brief, relaxed walk will finish your warm-up.

* Six Exercises:

1. Slippery Heels - Lie on your back on the floor, legs straight. Slowly slide your left heel toward your body, knee bent upward. Then slide the heel back away from your body until your leg is straight again. Repeat 10 times for each leg.

2. Slippery Lap - Stand with your back touching a wall, feet 12" from the wall. Tighten abdominal muscles, hold, and slowly bend both knees, sliding downward until you form a lap. Hold 30 seconds, and slowly slide up again. Repeat 10 times.

3. High Heels - Stand facing a wall, about 18" away. Balance your weight evenly on both feet. Slowly lift up only your heels - as though wearing high heel shoes. Then lower your heels slowly back to the floor. Repeat 10 times for each foot.

4. High Legs - Lie on your back, left leg straight, right leg at right angle. Tighten abdominal muscles, and slowly lift straight leg 6 to 12 inches, keeping it straight. Hold 5 seconds, and slowly lower. Repeat 10 times for each leg.

5. Reverse High Legs - Do "high legs" while lying on your stomach on the floor. Hold for 10 seconds, and slowly lower the leg to the floor. Repeat 5 times for each leg.

6. Brake Pedals - Lie on your back on the floor, legs straight. Push toes away as though pushing on 2 brake pedals. Pull the toes back toward your body, as though letting up on the brake pedals. Work your brake pedals up and down. Repeat 10 times.

* Cool-down: Cool down before going on with your day. A brief, relaxed walk is all you need.

Additional Secrets to Cure Back Pain

You can cure back pain by adding these additional secrets to your exercise program. First of all, remember that you should see your health care provider to learn exactly what type of back pain you have, and whether home care is sufficient.

With your physician's approval, add these steps to cure back pain.

* If you must sit at a computer all day, sit with feet flat on the floor, or use a footrest to relieve back strain and cure back pain.

* Get up and move around for at least 5 minutes out of every hour.

* When standing for extended periods, shift your weight regularly.

* Wear shoes that have soft soles and low heels, preferably no more than 1.5 inches and square in shape. Place inserts in your shoes to correct any incorrect posture.

* Lose weight if you are too heavy. You can cure back pain more quickly if your muscles have less work to do.

* Avoid sitting on a thick billfold. A lot of money might buy back surgery, but you won't cure back pain by sitting on it or a stack of credit cards and photos.

* Bend at the knees, not at the waist, when lifting something heavy.

* When your doctor says you are ready, begin a program of aerobic exercise to strengthen those core muscles in your back and abdomen. Choose from activities such as jogging, cycling, or swimming.

Cure Back Pain with Mind over Matter

Recent research indicates that mental gymnastics can do much to cure back pain. Although my doctor may not want to hear this, it appears to be true. Published in the journal BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, the study found that training the mind was just as effective as using more physical methods to deal with chronic lower back pain.

The secret is to consciously realize that pain does not necessarily mean harm. Learn about your pain and what causes it, allowing your brain to deal with the perceived pain.

As long as you try to avoid it, you cannot cure back pain. Talk to your physician and create an exercise program that is right for you and your pain.

Look For Uneven Pelvis As The Root Cause Of Chronic Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is an incredibly common problem which affects tens of millions of Americans each year. A very high percentage of hospital emergency department as well as primary care physician office visits are because of chronic lower back pain. Lower back pain affects all races, all genders and people of all ages. Sedentary and overweight people are at a higher risk of suffering with this problem.

Despite billions of dollars being spent on the problem, there isn't any decrease in the incidence or prevalence of this troubling medical epidemic. One plausible reason for this is because we haven't been utilizing the correct remedy. The most common treatment for chronic back pain is medications, massage therapy & physical therapy. Ask any chronic back pain suffer about the effectiveness of these treatments and you will hear a range of comments from "it helped, but after a while the pain came back". You may also hear "I didn't get much of any relief at all". Why is this? Why do so many people continue to suffer day in and day out?

One of the primary causes of chronic lower back pain is an uneven, imbalanced pelvis. The pelvis is composed of two large bones (the innominate), and a triangularly shaped bone in the center (the sacrum). There is very little movement that occurs between the innominate bones and the sacrum (the sacroiliac joint, or "the SI joint"). The SI joint has very little motion. An athletic, younger person may have as much as one to one and a half degrees of total joint motion. Rather than independent movement between these three bones, the pelvis instead moves as a solid block. It can tilt side to side and front to back. The pelvis can also rotate right and left.

The problem occurs is when the pelvis tilts or rotates in a certain way and then stays fixed in that location. When this occurs, the muscles, ligaments and other supportive connective tissues themselves become shortened or lengthened and serve to hold the pelvis in that position indefinitely. When the pelvis becomes chronically misaligned like this, it sets the stage for chronic SI joint pain as well as lumbar spine pain.

The lumbar spine is positioned on top of the sacrum. When the pelvic/sacral block is tilting or is rotated, it creates biomechanical stress on the rest of the spine. In particular, there is a shearing or twisting effect on the lumbar spine (the lower back). This problem can be so pronounced that on x-ray, the spine appears to have a scoliosis.

What can be done to fix an imbalanced pelvis? Certainly taking drugs (NSAIDs, muscle relaxers, etc) won't resolve the problem. Exercise doesn't realign the spine. In fact, exercising on an uneven pelvis may cause more harm than good. It would be the equivalent of continuing to hammer on a bent nail. The most effective thing you can do for an imbalanced pelvis is to get it balanced. You must realign the spine, sacrum & pelvis in order to minimize biomechanical stress on the joints, ligaments, tendons and other supportive soft tissues. The chiropractic adjustment is a time tested therapy for realigning the spine. In my clinic, I utilize chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy modalities, stretching, rehabilitative exercise and soft tissue therapies. And without question, the number one most effective treatment for balancing the pelvis is the chiropractic adjustment. If you have chronic lower back pain, you need to have your pelvis checked for imbalanceding. Getting your pelvis balanced will offer amazing, long lasting relief.

A New Drug For Chronic Lower Back Pain Relief

Eli Lilly Canada recently announced that Health Canada has approved Cymbalta簧 (duloxetine HCl) for the management of chronic low back pain (CLBP).

The approval is based on the results of two randomized, double-blind, 12-13 week, placebo-controlled studies in 637 adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of chronic low back pain with pain present on most days for at least 6 months and no sign of radiculopathy or spinal stenosis.

The primary efficacy endpoint in both studies was a reduction in pain severity as measured by the Brief Pain Inventory (PBI) 24-hour average pain rating on the 11-point Likert scale (0 = no pain; 10 = worst possible pain). In both studies, patients taking Cymbalta 60 mg once daily experienced significantly greater pain reduction compared to placebo. In addition, some patients reported pain reduction as early as one week into the trial after starting the 60 mg dose, which continued throughout the study.

Cymbalta has been evaluated for safety in 698 patients with chronic low back pain The most common side effects reported in the two studies included nausea, insomnia, somnolence, constipation, dry mouth, fatigue and dizziness.

About Cymbalta

Cymbalta is a potent and balanced serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which targets two chemical messengers in the brain believed to play a role in sensitivity to pain - serotonin and norepinephrine. While the mechanism of action of duloxetine in humans is not fully known, scientists believe its effect on pain perception is due to increasing the activity of serotonin and norepinephrine in the central nervous system.

Cymbalta is now indicated in Canada for three distinct pain conditions: chronic low back pain, neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and fibromyalgia. It is also indicated in Canada for the symptomatic relief of major depressive disorder (MDD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Duloxetine is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to it, who have liver disease resulting in hepatic impairment, who are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) including linezolid and methylene blue, thiorazidine, potent CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g. fluvoxamine), and some guinolone antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin or enoxacine), who have uncontrolled narrow glaucoma, or who have severe kidney disease.

Eli Lilly is a leading innovation-driven corporation, renowned for developing a growing portfolio of first-in-class and best-in-class pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Lilly provides answers - through medicines and information - for some of the world's most urgent medical needs. Eli Lilly Canada, headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, employs close to 500 people across the country.

Lower Back Pain Cause: Tight Hamstrings

The hamstrings and the lower back are connected by the pelvis. The hamstring is composed of tendons and three muscles that run from the back of the knee to the back of the pelvis; this network is responsible for bending the knee behind the middle line of the body when the hip is extended (such as when running or walking). Via the hip connection, tight hamstrings can cause lower back pain.

When a muscle is tight, its length is shortened. This can occur in a number of ways. Overuse of the hamstring without stretching can cause it to be chronically tight. This is often accompanied by weak quadriceps and hip flexors such as the psoas, since the hamstrings will fail to relax and allow them to do work. Failure to stretch and exercise in a balanced manner can lead to this muscle imbalance. On the other hand, the opposite imbalance can cause the hamstring to tighten. If the hip flexors and quadriceps are overly tight, the hamstrings will be stretched and weak. Weak muscles can quickly experience fatigue due to their lack of strength. Fatigued muscles have a difficult time relaxing. If a weak hamstring does not relax when the quadricep contracts, it can become torn or pulled. This is a very common type of injury, especially in athletes.

Muscles work as a sort of pulley system; if they are not balanced in length, strength and flexibility, then any number of structures within the body may be pulled out of alignment. The hamstring muscles and hip extensors are intricately related; if one is tight, the other is bound to be tight also. If these are tight, the muscles performing the opposite functions - hip flexors and knee extensors (quads) -- will be weak and lengthened. Muscles of the upper legs and hips are a crucial part of pelvic stabilization. Since the pelvis is the base of the spine, pelvic stabilization is the foundation of spinal stabilization.

Shortened, tight hamstrings exert a downward pull on the pelvis. Since the quadriceps and hip flexors are long and weak, they cannot balance this force with an equal pull in the opposite direction. As the pelvis is pulled downward in the back, the lower back loses its natural arch (called lordosis). As the spine is forced to flatten, the discs between vertebrae experience increased pressure in the front, possibly leading to early disc degeneration.

The muscles of the lower back are also strained by tight hamstrings. The proper way to bend forward is at the hip joints. When the pelvis is pulled backward, however, you have to bend from the lower back. This type of work in unnatural for the lower back muscles, and can lead to chronic strain.

Because of the compensatory tendencies of tight muscles, it is necessary to loosen them before attempting exercise. While stretching is a good way to restore length and flexibility to tight muscles, a technique called self-myofascial release (SMR) is more effective and the best first step of treatment for tight hamstrings. In this technique, you use a dense foam roller to compress and loosen the hamstring, effectively turning it off so that other muscles can begin to work. See this video of hamstring SMR for a better idea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNm79lJLyz0. As with any form of back pain exercise, it is best to be trained by a physical therapist in proper technique.

Once your hamstrings have been neutralized, you can move on to develop your quadricep and hip flexor muscles, which will help to stabilize your pelvis. Consult a physical therapist to assure that your exercise plan does not create the same or another painful imbalance. Educating yourself on how muscles work together will help protect you from back pain.

Lower Back Stretches - 3 Weird But Simple Exercises to Gain Strength and Get Rid of Back Pain

The core muscles of the lower back are critical for getting a flat tummy, six-pack abs and working out your entire body. The lower back stretches are the ideal exercises for getting a strong back and getting rid of back pain for good. Use these simple yet effective exercises to get the best possible results.

1) The Cat Stretch

This is one of the most effective lower back stretches that come directly from the ancient art of yoga. It is quite easy to do.

Get on the floor with our hands and knees being positioned firmly on the ground.

Push your back upwards, as if you are trying to reach the ceiling with it. Arch your back as much as possible, just like a cat does. Remember not to lift your hands and knees from the floor.

Hold the arched position for at 20 seconds. Then relax and get to the initial body position slowly.

2) The Snake-Like Stretch

This is one of the more challenging lower back stretches, so it should be done with extra care. It is essential for you to warm up, before you try this exercise.

Lie on the floor using your forearms for support. Your stomach should be on the floor as well.

Start straightening your elbows. Lift your torso slowly. Extend your back.

Straighten your elbows as much as you can. Your stomach should be completely off the ground.

Hold this position for 15 seconds. Try not to transfer your whole weight to the arms and palms.

Slowly return to the initial position.

3) The Bridge Stretch

This is exercise is challenging, but it is extremely effective. In fact, this one of the lower back stretches exercises not only the lower back muscles, but the abs as well.

Lie down on your back on the floor.

Bend your knees and bring your feet closer to the buttocks. Keep your arms straight next to your body.

Lift your hip up, pointing to the ceiling. Lift them as much as you can.

Draw the chest towards your chin. Do not do the opposite. If you bring the chin to the chest, this can result in a neck discomfort.

Stay in this position for as much as you can.

Finally, bring your back down, starting from the lower back and continuing with the upper back.

These great lower back stretches will give you the great results you expect in no time. Just make sure you do one set of 10 reps, during each of your workouts.