LOW BACK PAIN
WHAT IS LOW BACK PAIN?
- Almost everyone has low back pain at some point in their life
- The lower back, which starts below the ribcage, is called the lumbar region
- Pain here can be intense & is one of the top causes of missed work
- Fortunately, low back pain often gets better on its own
- When it doesn't, there are effective treatments
WHO IS AT RISK
- Most people get their first taste of low back pain in their 30s
- The odds of additional attacks increase with age
- Other reasons your low back may hurt include
1. Being overweight
2. Inactive lifestyle
3. Jobs that require heavy lifting
PREVENTION
- There's no sure way to prevent back pain as you age, but there are steps you can take
to lower your risk
1. Stay at a healthy weight
2. Exercise regularly
3. Lift with your legs, not your back
4. Make sure your work station position isn't contributing to your pain.
SYMPTOMS
- Symptoms range from a dull ache to a stabbing or shooting sensation
- The pain may make it hard to move or stand up straight
- Acute back pain comes on suddenly, often after an injury from sports or heavy lifting
- If your pain is not better within 72 hours, you should consult a doctor
- Pain that lasts more than three months is considered chronic
SYMPTOMS THAT REQUIRE URGENT CARE
- Severe back pain after a fall or injury should be checked out by a health care professional
right away - Other warning signs include a loss of bowel or bladder control, leg weakness, fever & pain
when coughing or urinating - If you have any of these symptoms along with your back pain, contact your doctor
MUSCLE STRAIN OR SCIATICA?
- The kind of back pain that follows heavy lifting or exercising too hard is often caused by
muscle strain - Sometimes back pain can be related to a disc that bulges or ruptures
1. If a bulging or ruptured disc presses on the sciatic nerve, pain may run from the buttock
down one leg
2. This is called Sciatica
YOUR JOB
- If your job involves lifting, pulling, or anything that twists the spine, it may contribute to
back pain - Sitting at a desk all day comes with risks of its own, especially if your chair is uncomfortable
or you tend to slouch
WHAT YOU CARRY ON YOUR SHOULDER
- It is the lower back that supports the upper body including any additional weight you carry
- So an overstuffed bag, purse, backpack or briefcase can strain the lower back, especially
if you carry it day after day - If you must tote a heavy load, consider switching to a wheeled briefcase
YOUR WORKOUT
- Overdoing it at the gym or golf course is one of the most common causes of over-extended muscles leading to low back pain
- You're especially vulnerable if you tend to be inactive during the work week & then spend
hours at the gym or softball field on the weekend
YOUR POSTURE
- Your back supports weight best when you don't slouch
- This means sitting with good lumbar support for your lower back, shoulders back, with feet resting on a low stool
- When standing, keep weight evenly balanced on both feet
HERNIATED DISC
- The spine's vertebrae are cushioned by gel-like discs that are prone to wear & tear from
aging or injuries - A weakened disc may rupture or bulge, putting pressure on the spinal nerve roots
- This is known as a herniated disc & can cause intense pain
CHRONIC CONDITIONS
Several chronic conditions can lead to low back pain
1. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord, which can put pressure on the spinal nerves
2. Spondylitis refers to chronic back pain & stiffness due to severe inflammation of the spinal joints
3. Fibromyalgia causes widespread muscle aches, including back pain
DIAGNOSING
- To help your doctor diagnose the source of low back pain, be specific in describing the
type of pain, when it started, related symptoms & any history of chronic conditions - Your doctor will probably not n eed to order X-rays, CT or MRI scans before starting treatment
HOME CARE
- Back pain due to muscle strain will usually get better on its own but you can take steps to
make yourself more comfortable
1. A heating pad or warm baths may provide temporary pain relief
2. When your hurt so much that you don't want to get out of bed
A. The problem is muscle strain &
B. Doctors recommend returning to your normal activities as soon as possible
C. Studies suggest that any more than a day or two of bed rest can actually make the
pain worse & may reduce muscle tone & flexibility
YOGA
- If back pain doesn't go away in three months, there's evidence that yoga can help
1. In one study, people who took 12 weeks of yoga classes had fewer symptoms of low
back pain than people who were given a book about care for back pain
2. The benefits lasted several months after the classes were finished
3. The study suggests conventional stretching also works just as well
4. Make sure your instructor is experienced at teaching people with back pain & will
modify postures for you as needed
SPINAL MANIPULATION
- Chiropractors & some osteopathic doctors
1. Use spinal manipulation to treat low back pain by applying pressure with their hands to
bones & surrounding tissues
2. This treatment is not appropriate for everyone
MASSAGE THERAPY
- Massage may relieve chronic low back pain, especially when combined with exercise & stretching
- Researchers noted patients who did all 3 were able to move around easier & had less
short term & long term pain
ACCUPUNCTURE
- The evidence that accupuncture can treat back pain is mixed
- A study of several hundred people with long-lasting back pain found surprising results
1. Those who had simulated acupuncture (involving toothpicks tapping the skin) got the
same benefits as those who had real acupuncture with needles - After eight weeks, both groups had greater relief than people who did not have acupuncture
MEDICATIONS
- Mild back pain often feels better with over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen
- Pain-relieving creams may be helpful for muscle aches
- For severe pain or chronic pain, your doctor may recommend prescription medication
INJECTIONS
- If simpler therapies & medications aren't helping, your doctor may recommend injections
to your back - One procedure, called a nerve root block, targets irritated nerves
- Injections for back pain usually contain steroid medication
SURGERY
- If long-lasting back pain is interfering with your daily life & other treatments have not
provided relief
1. You may be a candidate for surgery
2. Depending on the cause of your pain, a surgeon may remove a herniated disc, widen
the space around the spinal cord &/or fuse two spinal vertebrae together
PHYSICAL THERAPY
- If back pain has left you inactive for a long time, a rehabilitation program can help you strengthen your muscles and get back to your daily activities
- A physical therapist can guide you through stretches, strength exercises & low-impact cardio that will help you be fitter without straining your back
STRENGTHENING YOUR BACK
- Two types of strength-training moves that may benefit the lower back are flexion & extension exercises
1. In flexion exercises, you bend forward to stretch the muscles of the back & hips
2. In extension exercises, you bend backward to develop the muscles that support the spine
3. Depending on the cause of your back pain, there are some exercises you should not do
4. So make sure to talk to your doctor about what exercises are safe for you
Health Directory | Living With Low Back Pain
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