The cauda equina, literally meaning ‘horses tail’, refers to the nerve bundle that controls the pelvic organs and lower limbs. When these nerves are compressed or damaged it may give rise to cauda equina syndrome which includes symptoms of leg pain, altered sensation in the pelvic region (e.g. numbness), incontinence, and weakness of paralysis of muscles in the leg or foot. Sudden onset cauda equina syndrome is considered an emergency.
Acute pain is the immediate pain related to an initial injury or trauma. Chronic pain is very different; it involves changes to the brain and nerves supplying the site of the pain, and can continue even in the absence of any underlying physical disorder. Typically, pain is classified as ‘chronic’ when it persists for longer than 12 weeks, after which the initial injury can reasonably be expected to have healed.
Herniated disc (also known as ‘slipped disc’ or ‘prolapsed disc’) is a normal feature age-related degeneration and is very common in people with and without back pain, although it is also commonly attributed to lifting and injuries. It occurs when the fibrous outer layer of the disc tears/ruptures, allowing the inner jelly-like portion of the disc to bulge or protrude outward.
Inflammation is a normal response of your immune system to injury or infection. The five ‘cardinal’ signs of inflammation are: (1) pain, (2) heat, (3) redness, (4) swelling, and (5) loss of function. In the case of allergic and auto-immune disorders, inflammation is considered an abnormal or disease-causing process.
Non-specific pain refers to pain for which there is no recognised physical cause, despite clinical investigation, and which is likely to be stress-induced. Physical pain is a very common symptom of psychological stress. Around 96% of people will experience headache during their lifetime and nearly 90% of these will be stress-induced tension headaches. Similarly, as many as 84% of people will experience back pain during their lifetime and a similar proportion of these cases are likely stress-induced.
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes bones to lose mass / strength and therefore break more easily. It develops slowly over several years, without causing pain, and is often only diagnosed when a fall or sudden impact causes a bone to fracture. It commonly causes injuries to wrists, hips and spinal bones (vertebrae) although breaks can happen in other bones too.
You can view an article by The Royal Osteoporosis Society, originally printed in TalkBack magazine, here.
There is also an NHS video, made in association with InstructorLive, on Pilates for Osteoporosis that you can access on YouTube
Herniated disc (also known as ‘slipped disc’ or ‘prolapsed disc’) is a normal feature age-related degeneration and is very common in people with and without back pain, although it is also commonly attributed to lifting and injuries. It occurs when the fibrous outer layer of the disc tears/ruptures, allowing the inner jelly-like portion of the disc to bulge or protrude outward.
Herniated disc (also known as ‘slipped disc’ or ‘prolapsed disc’) is a normal feature age-related degeneration and is very common in people with and without back pain, although it is also commonly attributed to lifting and injuries. It occurs when the fibrous outer layer of the disc tears/ruptures, allowing the inner jelly-like portion of the disc to bulge or protrude outward.
Spinal stenosis refers to a narrowing of the spinal canal that houses the spinal cord. If the spinal cord becomes compressed, symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of muscle control.
Spondylitis refers to inflammation of the vertebrae. It is distinct from ankylosing spondylitis which is an autoimmune disease.
Spondylolisthesis refers to the displacement of a vertebra in relation to those above and below it within the spinal column. It can be mild or more severe and is caused by normal aging, birth defects and traumatic injury. Spondylolisthesis may or may not be associated with symptoms such as pain.
Spondylosis refers to degeneration of the disc space between vertebrae. It is common and age-related.