How Common Is Lower Back Pain
Around four out of five people have lower back pain at some point in their lives. Its one of the most common reasons people visit healthcare providers.
Some people are more likely to have lower back pain than others. Risk factors for lower back pain include:
- Age: People over 30 have more back pain. Disks wear away with age. As the disks weaken and wear down, pain and stiffness can result.
- Weight: People who are obese or carry extra weight are more likely to have back pain. Excess weight puts pressure on joints and disks.
- Overall health: Weakened abdominal muscles cant support the spine, which can lead to back strains and sprains. People who smoke, drink alcohol excessively or live a sedentary lifestyle have a higher risk of back pain.
- Occupation and lifestyle: Jobs and activities that require heavy lifting or bending can increase the risk of a back injury.
- Structural problems: Severe back pain can result from conditions, such as scoliosis, that change spine alignment.
- Disease: People who have a family history of osteoarthritis, certain types of cancer and other disease have a higher risk of low back pain.
- Mental health: Back pain can result from depression and anxiety.
Tips For Keeping Ones
Exercise frequently to keep muscular tissues flexible as well as solid. Contact a medical professional for a listing of low-impact, age-appropriate workouts that are particularly targeted to reinforcing lower back as well as likewise abdominal muscle.
Maintain a balanced and healthy and balanced mass and likewise eat a healthy and balanced diet regimen with adequate everyday intake of phosphorus, calcium, and also vitamin D to advertise new bone growth.
Use ergonomically created furniture as well as tools in your house and also at the office. Make sure job surfaces most likely to a comfortable elevation.
Change relaxing settings generally as well as regularly stroll the work environment or meticulously stretch muscles to eliminate stress.
A pillow or rolled-up towel positioned behind the small of the back can offer some lumbar support. Place your feet on a decreased stool or a pile of magazines when sitting for a very long time.
Sleeping on ones side with the knees created in a fetal placement can assist open the joints in the spine and also get rid of anxiety by lessening the curvature of the spinal column. Continuously sleep on a business surface.
Dont attempt to lift points that are as well heavy. Raise from the knees, pull the abdominal muscle in, and additionally maintain the head down and also according to a straight back. When training, maintain items near to the body. Do not transform when hauling.
Low Back Pain Fact Sheet
If you have had lower back pain, you are not alone. Back pain is one of most common reasons people see a doctor or miss days at work. Even school-age children can have back pain.
Back pain can range in intensity from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp or shooting pain. It can begin suddenly as a result of an accident or by lifting something heavy, or it can develop over time as we age. Getting too little exercise followed by a strenuous workout also can cause back pain.
There are two types of back pain:
- Acute, or short-term back pain lasts a few days to a few weeks. Most low back pain is acute. It tends to resolve on its own within a few days with self-care and there is no residual loss of function. In some cases a few months are required for the symptoms to disappear.
- Chronic back pain is defined as pain that continues for 12 weeks or longer, even after an initial injury or underlying cause of acute low back pain has been treated. About 20 percent of people affected by acute low back pain develop chronic low back pain with persistent symptoms at one year. Even if pain persists, it does not always mean there is a medically serious underlying cause or one that can be easily identified and treated. In some cases, treatment successfully relieves chronic low back pain, but in other cases pain continues despite medical and surgical treatment.
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When To See A Physician
Several neck and back pain gradually increases with residence therapy along with self-care, normally within a couple of weeks. Get in touch with your medical professional if your neck and back pain:.
Continues past a few weeks.
Is serious as well as doesnt improve with rest.
Spreads down one or both legs, specifically if the pain extends listed here the knee.
Factors weakness, tingling or tingling in one or both legs.
Is accompanied by strange weight loss.
In uncommon cases, pain in the back can indicate major professional difficulty. Search for timely therapy if your neck and back pain.
Causes brand-new digestion system or bladder issues.
Is accompanied by a heat.
Maintain Correct Posture During Activities
To protect your lower back from injury, its important to maintain proper posture when performing physical activitiesespecially if you play sports or have a job that requires repetitive motions. Avoid slouching as much as possible and aim to keep your spine erect. When lifting, bend and straighten from the knees, not the waist. And be sure to move your hips when twisting from side to side.
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Back Exercises And Stretches
Simple back exercises and stretches can often help reduce back pain. These can be done at home as often as you need to.
For information about exercises and stretches that can help, see:
A GP may be able to provide information about back exercises if you’re unsure what to try, or you may want to consider seeing a physiotherapist for advice. Read about how to get access to physiotherapy.
Doing regular exercise alongside these stretches can also help keep your back strong and healthy. Activities such as walking, swimming, yoga and pilates are popular choices.
Take Action: Prevent Injuries
Good posture can help prevent back pain.
- Try not to slouch when standing and sitting
- Sit up straight with your back against the back of your chair and your feet flat on the floor if possible, keep your knees slightly higher than your hips
- Stand tall with your head up and shoulders back
- If you can, switch between standing and sitting so youre not in the same position for too long
- Find out how to have good posture while sitting at a computer
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Find Back Pain Relief: Lighten Your Bags
Carrying an overstuffed purse, briefcase, or handbag can strain the low back. If you must carry a heavy load, consider using a wheeled briefcase instead. By reducing the amount of weight you’re carrying, you reduce the amount of pressure on the spine. Help keep your kids’ backs healthy by making sure their backpacks are not overloaded. A heavy backpack could mean future back pain for your little ones.
Maintain Correct Posture When Sitting
You can avoid lower back pain by maintaining proper posture when sitting. If you have a desk job, keep your feet planted on the floor and use a chair that provides lower back support. Also, avoid hunching forward to see your computer screen and reaching far in front of you to use your mouse or keyboard.
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Chronic Low Back Pain Of No Specific Origin
Low back pain is defined as pain, tightness, and stiffness between the lower end of the rib cage and the buttocks. “Chronic” means the pain has lasted for twelve weeks or longer, and “no specific origin” means the pain cannot be traced to any specific cause, incident, or injury.
Most susceptible are individuals who perform heavy physical work, especially when there is ongoing anxiety, depression, and emotional stress at the same time. The longer the stress and back pain continue, the more difficult it is to ease the symptoms and return the patient to normal functioning.
Treatment involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sometimes opioid medications for pain, though both have risks when used long term. Antidepressants may also be tried, along with psychological counseling.
Corticosteroid injections for the back are effective for some patients, and fusion surgery is sometimes attempted. Lifestyle changes in the form of improved diet, exercise, and stress management are very helpful in most cases.
Rarity: Common
Top Symptoms: lower back pain, unintentional weight loss, back pain that shoots to the butt, fever, involuntary defecation
Symptoms that always occur with chronic low back pain of no specific origin: lower back pain
Symptoms that never occur with chronic low back pain of no specific origin: thigh numbness, buttocks numbness, lower back pain from an injury
Urgency: Primary care doctor
Treating A Pulled Back Muscle In 8 Steps
No matter where a pulled muscle is in the body, the steps to treat it are generally the same. However, its important to talk to a medical professional before treating an injury because symptoms of other injuries, such as disc problems or a broken bone, may resemble strains and sprains. After talking to a professional, try the following steps:3
Apply cold. Cold helps reduce inflammation, which is the primary source of pain in the first few days. The faster you can apply cold to a pulled back muscle, the faster you may reduce pain, help control swelling, and start the healing process. Apply a cold pack for 15-20 minutes as soon as the injury occurs. Take a break of at least 20 minutes between each cold application.
Use compression. Applying compression bandages or using an active compression system may help reduce swelling and edema so the damaged tissues can repair themselves more quickly.
Rest. Right after a muscle strain, it is important to limit your activity level and avoid movements that increase pain. After the initial pain subsides, returning to previous level of activity may help prevent the muscles from growing weak.
Stretch. According to Kojo Hamilton, MD, as you return to activity, gentle stretching exercises may improve tissue healing by bringing more blood flow to the injured area. Applying heat to the area prior to stretching may also be beneficial. Ask a doctor about the right stretches for your condition.
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When To See Your Doctor About Back Pain
You should see your doctor or physiotherapist if you have back pain that is not getting better after a few weeks of trying simple exercises and following the tips for a healthy back.
Although rare, back pain can be a sign of a more serious condition. If you experience any of the following ‘red flag’ symptoms with your back pain then please see a doctor urgently.
| ‘Red flag’ symptoms see a doctor urgently if you have: |
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You should also see your doctor or physiotherapist if:
- your pain is worse in your lower leg than your back and is not easing
- you have weakness and numbness in one of your legs
- you have a rash in the same area as your pain.
Exercises For Low Back Muscle Pain
Exercises for low back muscle pain include strengthening your core, working on upper body strength to improve posture, taking care of your spine by stretching out the back, learning to lift properly, and not lifting weight that is too heavy.
For example, you can strengthen your core by doing plank exercises or yoga poses. You can also work on posture by practicing good habits like sitting up straight and standing tall. Stretching out the muscles in your lower back can help relieve pain.
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How To Stretch Your Lower Back
Stretching the lower back is an important part of maintaining good posture. If you are not able to stand straight, it may be because your lower back muscles are tight and pulling on your spine.
Stretching these muscles can be done through some simple yoga poses or by using a foam roller. The first step is finding where the tightness is happening. You can do this by tucking your elbows under your knees and tucking your chin towards the chest.
Exactly How Common Is Lower Neck And Back Pain Best Bad For Lower Back Pain
Around four out of five people have lower neck and back pain at time in their lives. It is simply one of one of the most normal aspects people have a look at healthcare providers.
Some people are more likely to have lower neck and back pain than others. Danger variables for lower pain in the back consist of:.
Age: Individuals over 30 have additional back distress. Disks deteriorate with age. As the disks deteriorate and additionally wear down, suffering and also rigidity can result.
Weight: Individuals that are obese or lug additional pressure are extra possible to have pain in the back. Excess weight taxes joints and additionally disks.
Overall health. Ruined abdominal muscles can not sustain the back, which can result in back stress and likewise pressures.
Individuals who smoke, eat alcohol continuously or live a less energetic method of living have a greater risk of back distress.
Occupation as well as likewise lifestyle. Jobs as well as tasks that ask for heavy training or flexing can raise the risk of a back injury.
Anatomic problems: Extreme back pain can result from problems, such as scoliosis, that change spine alignment.
Problem: People that have a family history of osteo arthritis, particular sorts of cancer cells, in addition to different other conditions, have a better risk of low back ache. Mental health: Neck and back pain can arise from depression in addition to stress and anxiety.
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What Are Some Less Invasive Or Noninvasive Back Pain Treatments
Your doctor has a wide range of treatments that may help your lower back pain. In general, expect your doctor to take a stepped care approach. That means starting with simple, low-cost treatments and moving to more aggressive approaches later. Keep in mind that many treatments take time to reach their full effect.
Medications. When over-the-counter pills and topicals dont do enough to relieve back pain, your doctor may recommend a prescription drug. Examples include:
- Antiseizure medication, such gabapentin or pregabalin, for nerve-related pain
- Muscle relaxants, such as baclofen or carisoprodol
- Prescription NSAIDs, such as celecoxib, diclofenac, or fenoprofen
- Opioids, such as oxycodone or hydrocodone, on a short-term basis.
Physical therapy . PT for lower back pain involves passive and active therapies to help the patient build core muscle strength, improve spinal flexibility and range of motion, correct posture and more. Your physical therapy sessions may include:
- Exercise
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
- Ultrasound
Injections. An epidural steroid injection or a selective nerve block may provide short-term pain relief when lower back pain causes sciatica symptoms, such as leg pain.
Complementary And Alternative Techniques Include:
- Acupuncture is moderately effective for chronic low back pain. It involves inserting thin needles into precise points throughout the body and stimulating them , which may cause the body to release naturally occurring painkilling chemicals such as endorphins, serotonin, and acetylcholine.
- Behavioral approaches include:
- Biofeedback involves attaching electrodes to the skin and using an electromyography machine that allows people to become aware of and control their breathing, muscle tension, heart rate, and skin temperature people regulate their response to pain by using relaxation techniques
- Cognitive therapy involves using relaxation and coping techniques to ease back pain
Spinal injections include:Trigger point injections can relax knotted muscles that may contribute to back pain. An injection or series of injections of a local anesthetic and often a corticosteroid drug into the trigger point can lessen or relieve pain.
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Manage Or Reduce Stress
Stress can trigger muscle tension and painful spasms, including in the back. If long-term stress or a traumatic event seems to have caused back pain, a person can try stress-relief techniques, such as:
- Mindfulness meditation.One study showed that mindfulness-based stress reduction improved back pain. Mindfulness involves being aware of what the body is doing and using meditation techniques to assist with the pain.
- Deep breathing. Taking deep breaths in and out for several minutes can calm the bodys stress response.
- Progressive muscle relaxation. This involves tensing and relaxing muscles in the body, focusing on one muscle group at a time. Lying on their back, a person can start with their feet and gradually move up to the shoulders.
- Guided imagery. This involves focusing on specific mental images to bring about a feeling of relaxation. One study found guided imagery and music helps with work-related chronic stress.
- Yoga. Yoga focuses on particular poses and breathing and can help with relaxation, especially when practiced regularly. One review found yoga to be an effective stress management tool.
Many smartphone apps are available to guide a person through relaxation techniques and meditation.
