An A-to-Z Visual    Guide to Low Back Pain          A Visual Guide to Low Back Pa                       What Is    Low Back Pain? Low    back pain is a universal human experience — almost everyone has it at some    point. The lower back, which starts below the ribcage, is called the lumbar    region. Pain here can be intense and 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.                                        Symptoms    of Low Back Pain 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. Pain that    lasts more than three months is considered chronic. If your pain is not    better within 72 hours, you should consult a doctor.                                            Symptoms    That Require Urgent Care Severe    back pain after a fall or injury should be checked out by a health care    professional. Other warning signs include a loss of bowel or bladder    control, leg weakness, fever, and 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. But sometimes back pain can be related to a    disc that bulges or ruptures. If a bulging or ruptured disc presses on the    sciatic nerve, pain may run from the buttock down one leg. This is called    sciatica.                                     Back    Pain Culprit: Your Job If    your job involves lifting, pulling, or anything that twists the spine, it    may contribute to back pain. However, sitting at a desk all day comes with    risks of its own, especially if your chair is uncomfortable or you tend to    slouch.                                           Back    Pain Culprit: Your Bag Although    you may wear your purse, backpack, or briefcase over your shoulder, it is    the lower back that supports the upper body — including any additional    weight you carry. So an overstuffed bag 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.                                        Back    Pain Culprit: Your Workout Overdoing    it at the gym or golf course is one of the most common causes of    overextended muscles leading to low back pain. You’re especially vulnerable    if you tend to be inactive during the work week and then spend hours at the    gym or softball field on the weekend.                                          Back    Pain Culprit: Your Posture Mom    was right when she said, “Stand up straight!” 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.                                            Back    Pain Culprit: Herniated Disc The    spine’s vertebrae are cushioned by gel-like discs that are prone to wear    and 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 and can cause intense pain.                                       Back    Pain Culprit: Chronic Conditions Several    chronic conditions can lead to low back pain. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of         the space around the spinal cord, which can put pressure on the spinal         nerves. Spondylitis refers to chronic back         pain and stiffness due to severe inflammation of the spinal joints. Fibromyalgia causes widespread         muscle aches, including back pain.                                      Who’s    at Risk for Low Back Pain? 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: Being overweight Inactive lifestyle Jobs that require heavy lifting                                         Diagnosing    Low Back Pain To    help your doctor diagnose the source of low back pain, be specific in    describing the type of pain, when it started, related symptoms, and any    history of chronic conditions. Your doctor may order X-rays, CT or MRI    scans to look for damaged bones or discs, or other injuries to the spine.                                         Home    Care for Low Back Pain Back    pain due to muscle strain will usually get better on its own, but you can    take steps to make yourself more comfortable. A heating pad or warm baths    may provide temporary pain relief.                                           The Bed    Rest Debate When    your back hurts, you may not feel like getting out of bed. But if the    problem is muscle strain, doctors recommend returning to your normal    activities as soon as possible. Studies suggest that any more than a day or    two of bed rest can actually make the pain worse and may reduce muscle tone    and flexibility.                                           Yoga If    back pain doesn’t go away in three months, there’s evidence that yoga can    help. In one recent 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. The benefits lasted several months after the classes    were finished. The study suggests conventional stretching also works just    as well. Make sure your instructor is experienced at teaching people with    back pain and will modify postures for you as needed.                                        Spinal    Manipulation Chiropractors    and some osteopathic doctors use spinal manipulation to treat low back pain    by applying pressure with their hands to bones and surrounding tissues.    This treatment is not appropriate for everyone.                                       Massage    Therapy A    study funded by the government suggests that massage may help relieve    chronic low back pain. After 10 weeks, people who had weekly massages had    less pain and were better able to go about their daily activities than    people who got traditional care. That was true no matter what type of    massage they got, and the benefits lasted at least six months.                                        Acupuncture Can    acupuncture treat back pain? The evidence is mixed. In 2009, a study of    several hundred people with long-lasting back pain found surprising    results. 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 and medications aren’t helping, your doctor may recommend    injections to the 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, and other    treatments have not provided relief, you may be a candidate for surgery.    Depending on the cause of your pain, a surgeon may remove a herniated disc,    widen the space around the spinal cord, and/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,    and low-impact cardio that will help you be fitter without straining your    back.                                             Strengthening    the Back Two    types of strength-training moves that may benefit the lower back are    flexion and extension exercises. In flexion exercises, you bend forward to    stretch the muscles of the back and hips. In extension exercises, you bend    backward to develop the muscles that support the spine. One example is    doing leg lifts while lying on your stomach. Depending on the cause of your    back pain, there are some exercises you should not do. If you have back    pain, make sure to talk to your doctor about what exercises are safe for    you.                                             Preventing    Low Back Pain   There’s    no sure way to prevent back pain as you age, but there are steps you can    take to lower your risk: Stay at a healthy weight. Exercise regularly. Lift with your legs, not your back. Make sure your work station position         isn’t contributing to your pain.

 

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