Disease.co.uk

Introduction/Overview
Back pain, especially lower back pain, is a very common condition. In fact, just about everyone will have a bout of lower back pain at sometime in their lives. The good news is there are many successful low back pain treatments and many ways to prevent acute lower back pain. Lower back pain can be the result of an injury or a symptom from an illness.

Symptoms  & Diagnosis
Lower back pain symptoms can last for a short time or they can turn into lower back chronic pain if they persist for longer than three months. Most people have similar symptoms. These include a stabbing or shooting pain, an inability to flex the lower back, muscle ache , a pain that travels from your lower back down your legs, or problems straightening your back. If you have acute lower back pain which does not resolve itself in 2-3 days, see a doctor for diagnosis. Your doctor will most likely want to watch you walk across the room or down the hall. Sometimes imaging tests, such as x-rays, CTs, or MRIs are needed.

Known Causes
A muscle strain is the most common cause of lower back pain. Strains can be the result of lifting something heavy improperly or of slipping or moving awkwardly. Back pain can be the result of a disk which has ruptured or is pressing on a nerve. It can also be the result of such diseases as bone cancer or cancer of the spine. Most causes of lower back pain are not serious and the pain is resolved with treatment.

Treatments/Procedures
Pain medications are usually one of the treatments of acute back pain or chronic back pain. You can take such over-the-counter meds as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, or depending on the severity of the pain, narcotics might be prescribed. Sometimes rest is advised and sometimes it is not. You will probably need some physical therapy for lower back pain that is not resolved in a few days. Physical therapy is always the first course of treatment but if it fails, surgery may be considered as the next option. Sometimes pain can be reduced with cortisone injections.

Prevention / Vaccination
Prevention is often the key to not having lower back pain at all. Pay attention to the way you lift and use your legs instead of your lower back. You can also improve the strength of your lower back by regular exercise. Walking is a great lower back exercise. You can also make your muscles stronger and build muscle with weightlifting exercises.  Being overweight or obese puts a big strain on back muscles, and is often the cause of lower lumbar back pain. Eating a healthy, low-fat diet and cutting calories can help reduce weight.

Prognosis / Management
Many people successfully manage lower back pain. While most people recover initially from back pain, the majority have relapses within a year. Increasing your stability by walking is one of the best ways to strengthen your back. Learning how to lift properly is another back pain management tool. Most pain can be controlled with over-the-counter pain medications. If you are diagnosed with chronic low back pain, it is very important to wear a medic alert bracelet or magnetic bracelet identifying your condition, meds, and who to call in case of emergency.

Alternative Treatments and Products
There are many alternative low back pain treatments. One of the most popular is manipulation of the spine by a chiropractor. Depending on the cause of your lower back pain, this procedure may be very beneficial. Acupuncture and massage are both methods people have found beneficial as well. There are also herbal treatments, such as willow bark or devil’s claw, which may help with inflammation and pain.