Low Back Pain is one of the most common reasons why people go to the doctor. It is estimated that over 80% of people will have some sort of lower back pain issue sometime throughout their lives. Low back pain comes from your “lower back” which is L1-L5 in your lumbar spine. Most people who suffer from low back pain get better over time. Low Back Pain will only become an issue if it is considered chronic pain lasting for over 6 weeks long. If other symptoms such as numbness, loss of bladder control, leg weakness, and painful urination happens urgent care may be needed.
Tips for Dealing with Low Back Pain
Good Posture
Good posture is a great way to start fixing low back pain. Especially when you are at work sitting in a chair all day. Try to not slouch and hunch forward towards the computer screen at work. If your chair has lumbar support, use it. Try to also keep your feet planted on the ground as that helps with back support.
Stretching
By stretching your muscles you can relieve lower back pain and possibly even prevent future back issues. It is important to do a variety of stretches. Here is a great article on how to stretch your lower back.
Maintain Healthy Weight
Good diet and staying active can reduce strain on your low back. By staying active, you are using your lower back muscles and making them stronger and less prone to injury. Make sure you also stretch before your exercise!
Ice & Heat
If your lower back is injured, using ice for the first 2 days and switching to heat after will help reduce the swelling.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Taking some anti-inflammatory medication like IbProufen or Tylenol may help reduce the inflammation and then pain. Many of these medications have side effects. Therefore if you are solely taking these medications everyday it can cause long term damage. It may be time to see a spine surgeon.
Causes of Low Back Pain
Strain
One of the most common injuries in the low back is a simple strain. This happens when the back ligaments stretch excessively. There can be some stiffness and muscle spasms. Most of the time, rest and maybe some back exercises will help. Non-Steroid anti-inflammatory such as Aspirin or Tylenol may help. Medical care will only be needed if the pain lasts for longer than one week or there is loss of bladder control. The doctor will most likely have to order imaging tests such as an MRI to determine the cause of the pain.
Herniated Discs
The lower back is also one of the most common places where disc herniations can happen. A herniated disc happens when the cushion in between your spinal vertebrae leaks out and impinges the spinal column causing pain. Often times these injuries can occur after sudden movement of your lower back. Most of the time, herniated discs do not require surgery. Low back disc herniations generally cause numbness, tingling, or shooting pain down to your legs. Going to see a spine surgeon for a disc herniation is important.
Structural Problems
Bulging Discs
A bulging disc in the low back can cause pain, but most of the time they do not until they become a herniated disc. Bulging discs can eventually become a herniated disc through time or a traumatic injury.
Sciatica
This is pain that radiates from the low back to the legs. Generally this is caused by a disc herniation or bone spurs. I can affect one side of the body or both sides. Sciatica is very common, there are over 3 million cases of Sciatica a year in the US.
Scoliosis
When the spine curves in a different way it is called scoliosis. Scoliosis can be a C or S shaped curve in the spine. Girls are more prone to having scoliosis. Most people who have scoliosis do not know they have it due to not getting tested for it or getting imaging done. (X-Ray or MRI) There are over 3 million people in the US that are affected with Scoliosis every year.
Arthritis
Can be referred to as osteoarthritis of the spine. This condition is caused by the slow degeneration in the spine. The lumbar discs and facet joints are affected.
Spinal Stenosis
The narrowing of the spinal canal is spinal stenosis. As your spine degenerates, the nerves start to compress. Sometimes inflammation may be the cause of the pain.