Why do so many people have low back pain?
Low back pain is a very common problem, because the lower back carries most of your weight. Four out of five adults have back pain at some time in their life.
What are the most common causes of low back pain?
Here are the most common causes of low back pain:
Muscle strains and spasms: Improper or excess lifting or twisting may cause strains or spasms of the muscles that support your back.
Osteoarthritis: As you age, the cushioning discs between the bones in your spine become dry and hard, and the spine stiffens, leading to pain and discomfort.
Sciatica: Compression of a nerve (such as you might get from a disc that slips out of its spot between your backbones) and inflammation of a nerve cause pain to travel from your back down into a leg. The pictures on the right show a disc that has slipped out of the right place and presses on a nerve.
How is low back pain treated?
* Most of the time back pain gets better in two to four weeks with what doctors call "conservative therapy" (Physical therapy)
* Over-the-counter pain relievers
* The application of ice in the first 24 hours and heat on the following days
* A gentle & gradual return to normal activities is encouraged. Strict bed rest doesn't help and can actually slow the healing process.
Note about Over-the-counter pain relievers:
Over-the-counter pain relievers include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin.
Aspirin can cause stomach problems and should be taken with food. If you are taking blood thinners, you should ask your doctor if it's safe to take any medicine that contains aspirin.
Acetaminophen is less likely than aspirin and other NSAIDs to bother your stomach.
What warning signs should I look for with low back pain?
* Fever
* Past use of steroids, like prednisone
* Losing weight without trying to
* Pain that gets worse or doesn't get better taking rest
* A history of injury to your back
* Bladder or bowel problems
* Weakness in your legs
* Severe pain
* A history of cancer
If you have back pain plus any of the above mentioned conditions, you should consult your doctor or your physitherapist.
This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. (Don't Get Afraid) To get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor or physiotherapist.
Regards.. :-)
D.Mani BPT., MIAP
Consultant Physiotherapist
Low back pain is a very common problem, because the lower back carries most of your weight. Four out of five adults have back pain at some time in their life.
What are the most common causes of low back pain?
Here are the most common causes of low back pain:
Muscle strains and spasms: Improper or excess lifting or twisting may cause strains or spasms of the muscles that support your back.
Osteoarthritis: As you age, the cushioning discs between the bones in your spine become dry and hard, and the spine stiffens, leading to pain and discomfort.
Sciatica: Compression of a nerve (such as you might get from a disc that slips out of its spot between your backbones) and inflammation of a nerve cause pain to travel from your back down into a leg. The pictures on the right show a disc that has slipped out of the right place and presses on a nerve.
How is low back pain treated?
* Most of the time back pain gets better in two to four weeks with what doctors call "conservative therapy" (Physical therapy)
* Over-the-counter pain relievers
* The application of ice in the first 24 hours and heat on the following days
* A gentle & gradual return to normal activities is encouraged. Strict bed rest doesn't help and can actually slow the healing process.
Note about Over-the-counter pain relievers:
Over-the-counter pain relievers include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and aspirin.
Aspirin can cause stomach problems and should be taken with food. If you are taking blood thinners, you should ask your doctor if it's safe to take any medicine that contains aspirin.
Acetaminophen is less likely than aspirin and other NSAIDs to bother your stomach.
What warning signs should I look for with low back pain?
* Fever
* Past use of steroids, like prednisone
* Losing weight without trying to
* Pain that gets worse or doesn't get better taking rest
* A history of injury to your back
* Bladder or bowel problems
* Weakness in your legs
* Severe pain
* A history of cancer
If you have back pain plus any of the above mentioned conditions, you should consult your doctor or your physitherapist.
This handout provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. (Don't Get Afraid) To get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor or physiotherapist.
Regards.. :-)
D.Mani BPT., MIAP
Consultant Physiotherapist
Very informative
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