Low Back Pain

What Is Low Back Pain? Low back pain is pain and stiffness in the lower back. It is one of the most common reasons people miss work.

How Does It Occur? Low back pain is usually caused when a ligament or muscle holding vertebra in its proper position is strained. Vertebrae are bones that make up the spinal cord passes. When these muscles or ligaments become weak, the spine loses its stability, resulting in pain. Because nerves reach all parts of the body from the spinal cord, back problems can lead to pain or weakness in almost any part of the body. Low back pain can occur if your job involves lifting and carrying heavy objects, or if you spend a lot of time sitting or standing in one position or bending over. It can be caused by a fall or by unusually strenuous exercise. It can be brought on by the tension and stress that cause headaches. In some people it can even be brought on by violent sneezing or coughing. People who are over weight may have low back pain because of the added stress on their back. Back pain may occur when the muscles, joints, bones and connective tissues of the back become inflamed as a result of an infection or an immune system problem. Arthritic disorders as well as some congenital and degenerative conditions may cause back pain. Back pain accompanied by loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty in moving your legs, or numbness or tingling in your arms or legs may indicate an injury to your spine and nerves, which requires immediate medical treatment.

What Are The Symptoms Of Low Back Pain? Symptoms include:

• 1. Pain in the back or legs.
• 2. Stiffness and limited motion.

The pain may be continuous or may occur in certain positions. It may be aggravated by coughing, sneezing bending, twisting or straining during a bowel movement. The pain may occur in one spot or may spread to other areas most commonly down the buttocks and into the back of the thigh. A low back strain typically does not produce pain past the knee into the calf or foot. Tingling or numbness in the calf or foot may indicate a herniated disc or pinched nerve. Be sure to see your doctor if you have weakness in your leg, especially if you cannot lift your foot, because this is a sign of nerve damage. New bowel or bladder problems related to your back pain may indicate severe injury to your spinal cord, and you should see your doctor. Pain that increases despite treatment indicates a more severe problem, which should be evaluated.

How Is It Diagnosed? Your doctor will review your medical history and examine you. He or she may order x-rays. In certain situations a Myelogram, CT scan, or MRI may be ordered.

How ls Low Back Pain Treated? The early stages of low back pain with muscles spasms should be treated with ice packs for 20 t0 30 min every 4 to 6 hours for the first time 2 to 3 days. You may lie on a frozen gel pack, crushed ice, or a bag of frozen peas.

The following are ways to treat low back pain:

• 1. After the initial injury applying heat from a heating pad or hot water bottle.
• 2. Resting in bed on a firm mattress. Often helps to lie on your back with your knees raised. however, some people prefer to lie on their side with their knees bent.
• 3. Taking aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or other pain medications if recommended by your doctor.
• 4. Having your back messaged by trained person.
• 5. Having traction if recommended by your doctor.
• 6. Having your back massaged by a trained person.
• 7. Having traction, if recommended by your doctor.
• 8. Wearing a belt or corset to support your back.
• 9. Talking with a counselor, if your back pain is related to emotional problems.
• 10. Beginning a program of physical therapy or exercising on your own. Begin a regular exercise program to gently stretch and strengthen your muscles as soon as you can. Your doctor or physical therapist can recommend exercises that will not only help you feel better but will strengthen your muscles and help avoid back trouble later.

When the pain subsides, ask your doctor about starting an exercise program such as the following:

• 1. Exercise moderately every day, using stretching and warm -up exercises suggested by your doctor or physical therapist.
• 2. Exercise vigorously for about 30 minutes two or three times a week by walking, swimming, using a stationary bicycle, or doing low-impact aerobic.
• 3. Participating regularly in an exercise program will not only help your back, it will also help keep you healthier overall.

How Long Will The Effects Last? The effects of back pain last as long as the cause exists or until your body recovers from the strain, usually a day or two but sometimes week.

How Can I Take Care Of Myself? In addition to the treatment described above, keep in mind these suggestions:

• 1. Use an electric heating pad on a low setting (or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to avoid burning yourself)  for 20 to 30 minutes. Don't let the heating pad get to hot, and don't fall asleep with it. You could get burned.
• 2. Try putting an ice pack wrapped in a towel on your back for 20 minutes, one to four times a day. Set an alarm to avoid frostbite from using the ice pack too long.
• 3. Put a pillow under your knees when you are lying down.
• 4. Sleep without a pillow under your head.
• 5. Lose weight if you are overweight.
• 6. Practice good posture stand with your head up, shoulders straight, chest forward weight balanced evenly on both feet, and pelvis tucked in.

Pain is the best way to judge the pace you should set in increasing your activity and exercise. Minor discomfort, stiffness, soreness and mild aches need not interfere with activity. However, limit your activities temporarily if:

• 1. Your symptoms return.
• 2. The pain increases when you are more active.
• 3. The pain increases within 24 hours after a new higher level of activity.

When Can I Return To My Sport Or Activity? The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your sport will be determined by how soon your back recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred. In general, the longer you have symptoms before you start treatment, the longer it will take to get better.

It is important that you have fully recovered from your low back pain before you return to your sport or any strenuous activity. You must be able to have the same range of motion that you had before your injury. You must be able to run, jump, and twist without pain.

What Can I Do To Help Prevent Low Back Pain? You can reduce the strain on your back by doing the following:

• 1. Don't push with your arms when you move a heavy object. Turn around and push backwards so the strain is taken by your legs.
• 2. Whenever you sit, sit in a straight-backed chair and hold your spine against the back of the chair.
• 3. Bend your knees and hips and keep your back straight when you lift a heavy object..
• 4. Avoiding lifting heavy objects higher than your waist.
• 5. Use a footrest for one foot when you stand or sit in one spot for a long time this keeps your back straight.
• 6. Bend you knees when you bend over.
• 7. Sit close to the pedals when you drive and use your seat belt and a hard backseat or pillow.
• 8. Lie on your side with your knees bent when you sleep or rest. It may help to put a pillow between your knees.
• 9. Put a pillow under your knees when you sleep on your back.
• 10. Raise the foot of the bed 8 inches to discourage sleeping on your stomach unless you have other problems that require you keep your head elevated.

To rest your back, hold each of these positions for 5 minutes or longer.

• 1. Lie on your back, put a pillow under your neck, bend your knees, and put pillows under your knees to a 90 degree angle, and put your lower legs and feet on a chair.
• 2. Lie on your back, bend your knees, and bring one knee up to your chest. When holding your knee then bring both knees to your chest. Grab your thigh rather than your lower leg to avoid over flexing your knee.

Low Back Pain Rehabilitation Exercises: The goal of these exercises is to strengthen your abdominal muscles, stretch your lower back, hip flexors, and hamstrings. These exercises may help reduce lower back pain by correcting muscle imbalances in strength and flexibility of the trunk and hips.

1. Hamstring stretch:place the heel of one leg on a stool about 15 inches high. Lean forward, bending at the hips until you feel a mild stretch in the back of your thigh make sure you do not roll your shoulders and bend at the waist when doing this or you will stretch your lower back instead. Hold the stretch 30 to 60 seconds. Do the same exercise with the other leg. Repeat 3 times.

2. Cat and Camel:Get down on your hands and knees. Let your stomach sag, allowing your back to curve downward. Hold this position for 5 seconds then arch your back repeat 10 times.Do 2 sets.

3. Pelvic tilt: Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Tighten your stomach muscles to flatten your lower back against the floor. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 10 times. Do 3 sets.

4.Partial curl:Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.Tighten your stomach muscles and flatten your back against the floor. Tuck your chin to you chest. With your hands stretched out in front of you, curl your upper body forward until your shoulders clear the floor. Hold this position for 3 seconds. Don't hold your breath. It helps to breathe out as you lift your shoulders up and relax. Repeat 10 times. Build to 3 sets of 10. To challenge yourself, clasp your hands behind your head and keep your elbows out to the side.

5. Prone hip extension:Lie on your stomach with your legs straight out behind you. Tighten your buttock muscles and lift your right leg off the floor, keeping your knee straight. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Then lower your leg and relax. Repeat the same with your left leg. Hold 5 seconds and then lower the leg, relax. Repeat 10 times on each side. Build up to 3 sets of 10.

6. Single knee to chest: Now do a pelvic tilt and pull one knee up to your chest. Hold for 5 seconds and return to the starting position. Alternate sides, and repeat it 10-20 times.

7. Double knee to chest: Again do a pelvic tilt and now pull both knees to your chest. Hold for five seconds and repeat it 10-20 times. You may need to lift one leg at a time until your stomach muscles get stronger.

8. Lower trunk rotation: Do a pelvic tilt keeping shoulders down flat, gently rotate the knees to one side, then the other as far as you can. Repeat 10-20 times.

9. Piriformis stretch: Lie on your back. Pull one knee up across your trunk in the direction of the opposite shoulder so you feel a comfortable stretch in the top buttocks and back. Hold for 5-15 seconds and repeat 5-10 times on each side. You can modify this exercise by reaching for your knee with the opposite hand and keeping your shoulders flat on the floor. Pull your knee over as far as you can allowing your trunk to rotate.

All material provided is designed for information purposes only and should not be used to replace the care of a health care professional. Do not rely on any of the information for diagnosis or treatment. It is recommended that you visit a qualified health care professional for individual and personal attention.