Back Pain explains what back pain is and how it can be treated and prevented.

Basic Anatomy:

• Anatomy for Beginners
• Types of Pain
• Finding Acute Relief
• Intervertebral Disc
• The Spinal Ligaments
• The Sacrum
• The Vertebra

Causes of Back Pain:

• Backache
• Prolapsed Disc
• Sciatica
• Spinal Stenosis
• Scoliosis
• Spondylosis
• Spondylolisis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sacroiliac Joint
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Coccydynia

Back Pain Exercises:

• Benefits of Exercise
• Simple Exercises
• Core Stability
• Swiss Ball

Proper Posture:

• How Good is Yours?
• Posture in Depth
• Sitting Posture
• Standing Posture

Types of Therapy:

• Complementary Therapy
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Acupuncture

Surgery For Back Pain:

• Introduction
• Laminectomy
• Lumbar Discectomy
• Nerve Root Block

Laminectomy is a Common Operation

A laminectomy is not an uncommon operation for relieving low back pain. So, what is it exactly? A laminectomy is an operation on the spine to remove a part of the vertebral bone known as the lamina to most commonly correct spinal stenosis.

Take a look at the diagram below. You can see that arising from the body of the vertebra is an arch to form a hole in the middle for the spinal cord. On the diagram where the arch is shaded red, this is the part of the vertebral arch (known as the lamina) that is removed during the operation.

A laminectomy is usually performed to make more room for the spinal cord and for pressure to be taken off the nerve. This operation is also done so the disc can be seen and if there is a 'slipped disc' or 'prolapsed disc', then the surgeon can get to it and remove it. This would be called a discectomy operation.

There are many variations of the laminectomy. The simplest form involves small incisions (also called endoscopic surgery) to gain access to the lamina and the back muscles are only moved aside to gain access to the spine rather than being cut. Recovery from this form of the laminectomy is generally quick.

A traditional laminectomy involves a larger incision and removal of more than just the lamina (usually other portions of the backbone and some involved muscles and ligaments are also affected by the surgery.)

Recovery for both types of the procedure is usually very good although can be painful immediately after the procedure and some rehabilitation by a physical therapist is recommended to maximize the outcome and prevent any secondary problems. The traditional laminectomy many involve several months of physical therapy. Most people feel they have returned to a good level of functioning within a year's time.

Unfortunately, surgery does not usually stop the degenerative process and some people will have their symptoms return after a few years. However, there are others who benefit from a significant delay of any further onset of back pain.