Low Back Pain
(Low Backache · Pain in Lower Back)
In this condition factsheet:
Diagnosing Low Back Pain
It can be difficult to determine the exact cause of low back pain. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, including what the pain is like, how severe it is, and what things make it better or worse.
A search for the cause of back pain will involve a physical examination, including reflex and strength tests. If there's no obvious cause, X-rays, a computerized tomography (CT), or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan may be done to help find the cause. Your doctor may order other tests, depending on what he or she thinks may be other potential causes of your pain. It is very important to rule out any “red flags” that may indicate the potential presence of an underlying serious condition (e.g., infection, fracture, cancer, or inflammation) that needs prompt medical attention.
Be sure to see your doctor for evaluation if you have pain lasting more than 6 weeks or unexplained weight loss, or if you are over 55 years old and have new-onset pain.
Treating and Preventing Low Back Pain
The treatment of low back pain depends on its cause.
For low back pain involving muscle and nerves, treatment can include pain medications such as acetaminophen*, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), or opioids (e.g., codeine) when pain is severe. Muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol) may also be used, but their benefit in low back pain is not clear, and they have to be used with caution since they cause sedation. Heat and cold (for the first few days after an injury), treatments, and certain exercises as directed by a health care professional may also be used to help relieve pain. In some cases, chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy can improve low back pain and disability.
Bed rest used to be recommended in the past, but current guidelines recommend that staying active can help speed up recovery.. Avoid heavy lifting after an injury, but continue light activities. As well as losing weight, most people are advised to improve their posture or lift weights to strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the lower back. Strength training is a normal part of recovering from any muscle or ligament injury. Before starting an exercise program, discuss the activity first with your doctor and learn how to do the exercises properly.
Occasionally, slipped discs require surgery to decompress them. This may include deliberately fusing two vertebrae together. The operation shouldn't restrict back movement in any noticeable way.
Some back pain recurs over and over. Even the most thorough investigations may not find signs of injury or disease in some people. Speak to your doctor about exercises, physiotherapy, massage, or other therapies such as osteopathy, chiropractic, or manual physiotherapy.
You can help prevent low back pain by strengthening the muscles that support the back. Good posture while sitting or standing can also help prevent back pain. Proper lifting can also help prevent back injury: always keep the knees bent, do not twist the back, and use the legs to lift.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Low-Back-Pain
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