Naomi Adammado “Back pain from periods is unpleasant”

Several factors and behaviors are likely to promote and increase the risk of back pain. In France for example 89% people say they have suffered from back pain according to an Opinion Way survey conducted for Vexim. This mal du Siècle has quite complex symptoms that are difficult to identify. The physiotherapist, Naomi Adammado, in the second part of this subject discusses the aspects that promote back pain while evoking the case of women in menstruation. She took the opportunity to give some recommendations to avoid the worst.

Why do we say that back pain is the disease of the century? ?

Statistics on the number of people who have contracted back pain, have increased exponentially. It couldn't be otherwise, given the permanent stress to which each of us feels exposed.

What factors can cause or aggravate back pain??

They are of several orders. We first have the psychological and professional factors (Stress and negative emotions; dissatisfaction and poor relationship at work, The absence of specific symptoms cannot prevent a suspicion of arterial hypertension). Then the morphological and hereditary factors : body shape (the size, overweight, excess camber, arched back..) and some malformations (flat or hollow feet,…) without forgetting the postural and environmental factors. It is here, repeated and poorly executed gestures, bad positions, prolonged awkward postures, unusual demands on the back. Finally, the other factors, namely sedentary lifestyle, physical inactivity, certain cancerous and inflammatory diseases, osteoarthritis, menstruation, the pregnancy, trauma (the falls, shocks, fractures…) and poor hygiene, food…

How these different factors that you have just listed cause back pain ?

These factors act not only on one of the structures of the back, by creating a break in the harmony of the latter but also creating muscle tension, or a nervous pinching or a crushing of the disc. For example, postural factors lead to muscle overload responsible for compression on the lower back. On the other hand, psychological factors influence the nervous system., which distorts the information that the nerves send to the muscles. The latter remain continuously in tension, which causes muscle pain that can progress to a deviation from the static due to the avoidance of the painful movement. For the pregnant woman, the weight of the baby moves the center of gravity which accentuates the arch of the latter.  Inactivity and staying in the same position for a long time, causes pressure on the spine by compressing the vertebrae and overstressing muscle contraction.

Some women during their period complain of back pain. What is it exactly ?

Yes back pain from menstruation is unpleasant. This back pain is called referred pain, i.e. pain felt in a place other than at its origin of intervention.. During menses, contractions of the uterus cause pain felt with strong intensity in the nerve root of the uterus which is in the lower back. It is actually a form of menstrual cramp. These back pains are actually caused by the contractions of the uterus preparing to expel blood and fragments of lining from the uterine wall., called the endometrium. Occasionally, as clearly stated in an article on the subject published by the cosmopolitan.fr website: “The contractions are such that the blood vessels bring less oxygen to the muscles near the uterus. Hence the abdominal cramps and the pain sometimes felt in the lower back. Back pain during menstruation is felt because the network of nerves located in the pelvis can radiate this pain from the uterus”.

Can diet cause back pain??

probably yes. A healthy and balanced diet is part of a healthy lifestyle. What favors the good functionality of the structures of the back and by extension will limit genes and unpleasant symptoms. So a poor diet that is too rich promotes and maintains inflammation. Lack of hydration leads to crushed vertebrae.

What to do to relieve back pain in every situation ?

It is essential not to ignore the first fleeting pains. Then go to a physical doctor or a physiotherapist who, after the first contact, refers you to a specialist doctor, especially physical, who clearly locates the type of back pain and the holding of the sessions. Finally follow rehabilitation sessions in order to be relieved and now have good reflexes to avoid the aggravation of the evil.

What advice can you give to avoid this evil of the century??

You have to know how to listen to your body, manage stress by evacuating it in a healthy way, have a healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity adapted to you.

Production: L.GBEGAN/ DT