Low back strain symptoms usually ease with rest. A physical therapist can teach you effective stretching and movement techniques that won’t worsen your condition.
Lumbar spine pain may sometimes be due to something other than back-related factors such as abdominal issues or kidney stones; this is known as “referred pain”.
Causes
Lower back injuries are the most prevalent in the lumbar spine area, which contains five movable vertebrae that support weight from upper body.
Back pain occurs when muscles, ligaments, tendons and/or discs become inflamed or compressed due to injury or illness such as sciatica.
Though most cases of low back pain are mechanical in origin, certain symptoms, including fever, loss of bowel or bladder control and weakness in legs can indicate serious medical conditions that require immediate evaluation and treatment. Early back pain treatment can increase both nonsurgical and surgical approaches for effective care outcomes.
Reduce back pain by strengthening your spine and abdominal muscles, maintaining a healthy weight to avoid strain on the back, and limiting long periods of sitting or standing without moving around. If necessary, when standing for prolonged periods, use a stool or low footstool to relieve pressure off of your spine.
Symptoms
Low back (lumbar spine) pain can range from dull or sharp and achy to radiate down your legs (sciatica) or into your feet, and worsen with certain activities like twisting or lifting heavy objects, carrying an overloaded purse/backpack, sleeping awkwardly or sitting incorrectly in a car seat.
Back pain may also be caused by problems in other parts of your body that travel along a nerve to reach your back, known as “referred pain.” Referred pain is a signal for serious illnesses like abdominal aneurysms, tubal pregnancies, kidney stones or pancreatitis – it could show up as periodic bouts of intense discomfort that wax and wain over a short time span with frequent peaks of intensity as well as unexplained weight loss as telling indicators.
An infection, fracture or more serious condition in the spine and surrounding soft tissues could be indicated by progressive weakness, new bowel or bladder issues and significant trauma relative to age. To diagnose such conditions effectively X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging should be utilized.
Treatment
Many individuals suffering from low back pain can be helped by consulting their primary care doctor, who may suggest bed rest for a short time before beginning an exercise regimen designed to strengthen back and abdominal muscles so the pain doesn’t return.
Oral medications to relieve pain and swelling may be prescribed, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines; muscle relaxers like methocarbamol, carisoprodol or cyclobenzaprine can also provide pain relief but may make you sleepy; therefore it is wise not to drive while taking these medications.
If the symptoms of your back condition do not respond to at-home treatments after several weeks, your doctor may suggest diagnostic tests such as X-rays and MRI or CT scans for diagnosis. Such scans may detect abnormalities like herniated discs or bone problems; however, not everyone suffering back pain requires such testing.
Prevention
The spine consists of individual bones called vertebrae that are interlocked with one another. Muscles, ligaments and intervertebral disks support and allow movement for these bones. Over time however, wear and tear may lead to changes in your spine that cause back pain.
Preventing back pain requires practicing good posture when sleeping, working, and exercising. One way of lessening back discomfort is identifying activities or positions which increase it and then eliminating or changing them.
When sitting for long periods, try to sit up straight with good back support in a comfortable chair. If standing for extended periods is unavoidable, try placing one foot on a low stool to ease stress on your back muscles.
Exercise is key in helping prevent back pain, particularly exercises which strengthen and stretch abdominal and back muscles. Speak to your doctor about which exercises would best fit you; regular, low-impact aerobic activity should also be encouraged.