The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1935-02-01
YOUR
HEALTH
BY
Medical Advisory Beard
LunbagO

A. D., Miles Heights, OhiO.-Lum-
bago is symptom and means pain
in the lower back. Thus, like head
ache, it may come from variety o.
causes.
Stones in the kidney or kidney
lnf1ammations, chronic constipation,
an enlarged prostate in the male, or
inf1ammations or displacements of
the womb, and its adjacent organs,
In the female, may present pain in
! the back as one of the symptoms.
Even weak feet may so change the
normal curvature of the spine as to
induce lower back pain.
Usually, however, the cause is to
be found in the regions which COM
prise the small of the back. This
area is composed of five movable
portions of the spine, known as the
lumbar spine. Immediately below
this, there is the immovable sacral
bone, and below this the coccyx.
Both Of these form the lowernNsst
immovable, or fixed end of the
spine.
From he Sacrum, sweeping
around towards the front of the
body, is the pelvis. At both meeting
portions, at this sacrum and pelvis,
are the Sacro-iliac joints.
The muscles about this region are
tense, firm and strong Tears of
these muscles are not infrequent,
and may cause long, continued dis
aD.hty. Add to this the fact that
many large nerves spring from the
spine at this region, and you see
how carefully pain at this spot must
be investigated. That is why SCI
atica, or pain along the course of
the Sciatic nerve, Is often an asso-
ciated condition.
The bones and joints in this re-
gion may be fractured or dislocsted.
Outlines an X-ray will reveal Just
such condition which followed an
injury long forgotten. Many peo-
pie are born with defects or weak
nesses of the bones of the lower
back. The joints here may be in-
fected from teeth, tonsils or sinuses.
tuberculosis Outlines finds this a.
likely spot for attack Poor posture,
due to ricketts,, long standing illness
or occupation may produce pain in
the lower back.
The problem here becomes first
the problem of illness anywhere,
correct diagnosis. Since this often
entails money, time and special
straining by the physician, the suf-
ferer is apt to stop his visits to the
doctor, or more important, be forced
to discontinue these for obvious f.
nancial reasons. Then the variety
cults, such as osteopathy or chiro-
practic, get play"
May we summarize by saying that
pain in the lower back requires ex-
act diagnosis if possible, and most
cases are capable of such diagnosis,
continued unrelentingly, scientific
search for the cause or causes, and
complete cooperation between pa
tent and doctor for relief or cure?
Unfortunately, these standards are
impossible for most of the people
today.
Obviously, it becomes necessary
and urgent that all workers demand
that such legislation shall be passed
which will enable everybody to get
the best that science can offer for
the cure and prevention of disease.
Passage of the Workers Unenploy-
ment Insurance Bill III. r. 282O
and of the Workers Health Tnsur-
ance Bill, will make possible such
improvements in medical care.
Muscular Rheumatism
L. p, Minneapolis, Minn.-From
your detailed description of your
symptoms, you undoubtedly have a
rheumatic condition of the muscles,
generally referred to and classed as
muscular rheumatism. This condi-
ton is very much aggravated by
your nervous irritable, high strung
state. Overwork, worries, and Lack
of outdoor exercise are important
cauSative factors
The rational approach to treat
ment is complete, thorough physi-
cal examination to eliminate any
focul pus areas either in the teeth
or tonsils. If any abscessed teeth
are found, they should be removed.
Daily bowel movements are exceed
ingly important. You should drink
eight to ten glasses of water daily.
Exercise in the open as much as
possible. During your leisure time,
be out in the open. Avoid drinking
coffee. strong tea, and alcoholic bev-
erages in general. Avoid spicy,
canned, fried, fatty foods. Eat
plenty of fresh fruits and vege-
tables. Local APPLETON of heat,
either by means Of lamp, or If that
is not possible, by hot water bag,
will often give you relief. Hot baths.
followed by massage, with oil OF
wintergreen or camphor ointment,
is very helpful