Low Back Pain!

 Low back Pain Risk Factors

 

These factors increase your chance of developing low back pain. Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors:

• Older age
• Certain activities (such as lifting)
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Injury
• Preexisting back injury due to:
• Lifting a heavy object
• Improper lifting
• Sudden movement, bending, or twisting
• Prolonged sitting or standing
• Bad posture
• Vibration from vehicles or heavy equipment
• Prior back surgery
• Other factors which may negatively influence back pain include:
• Psychological factors, such as low job satisfaction
• Fatigue or sleep deficit
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Stress
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  Symptoms

  Pain is usually localized in the low back. It gets worse with back motion, sitting, standing, bending, and twisting. If a nerve is irritated, the pain may extend into the buttock or leg on the affected side, and muscle weakness or numbness may be present. It usually gets better with rest, and there is good bowel and bladder control.
  More serious symptoms associated with back pain that may require immediate medical attention include:
• Pain that is severe or that has gotten dramatically worse
• Progressive weakness in a leg or foot
• Difficulty walking, standing, or moving
• Numbness in the genital or rectal area
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Difficulty with urination
• Fever, unexplained weight loss, or other signs of illness
• Pain that awakes you from sleep at night
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  Diagnosis

   X-rays,CT scan,MRI scan,Bone scan,Blood tests,Urine test

  

   

  Prevention

  The following steps may help you avoid low back pain:
• Begin a safe exercise program with the advice of your doctor.
• Maintain a healthy weight .
• If you smoke, quit .
• Practice good posture to reduce pressure on your spine.
• Avoid sitting or standing in one position for prolonged periods.
• If you must remain standing for long periods, rest one foot at a time on a small stool to relieve pressure on your low back.
• When lifting, hold the object close to your chest, maintain a straight back, and use your leg muscles to slowly rise.
• Avoid aggravating activities, for example bending, twisting, and sudden movements.
• Consider job retraining if your work requires a lot of heavy lifting or sitting.
• If you have back pain during pregnancy, try wearing a BellyBra. This is a special bra to support your back and abdomen.

Treatment

Treatment options include:

Bed Rest

Short-term bed rest is not generally recommended in normal individuals. It is only recommended in those with severe debilitating back pain, and for not more that 1-2 days. Movement helps in cases of muscle spasm and to maintain muscle strength.

Medication

• Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (tylenol), aspirin , or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
• Muscle relaxants for muscle spasm—These medications are not used in cases where you need to be alert, such as driving or operating machinery.
• Cortisone injections

Antidepressants are also sometimes prescribed for low back pain. While these medications may be effective for depression, there is little evidence they effectively relief chronic low back pain, whether patients are depressed or not.

Physical Therapy

• Hot or cold packs
• Stretching and strengthening exercises for back and abdominal muscles
• Education about how to deal with back problems
• Massage —Massage might be helpful especially if it is combined with education and exercise.
• Ultrasound treatments or electrical stimulation

Your doctor may recommend that you restrict activities for 3-6 weeks, then resume activities as soon as possible.

Alternative Medicine

• Relaxation training
• Biofeedback
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation 
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