How Long Does It Take To Heal Back Pain After A Fall
Generally, most acute back pain will begin to improve on its own within 14 weeks. Depending on the circumstances and severity of the injury, it could take longer to heal if you dont seek medical attention or if you have other risk factors, like advanced age, osteoporosis, or other serious medical conditions. Lifestyle choices like engaging in sports, work environment, and general health also contribute to your healing time.
Pain that continues for 12 weeks or more is considered chronic back paineven if the initial cause of the injury is treated. Chronic back pain will, more often than not, require some form of medical attention before the injury is healed and youre pain-free.
If Youre Experiencing Back Pain Let Us Help You
At Spine Works Institute, we take pride in helping patients through safe and natural therapies. We have an entire team of physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, and other healthcare professionals who are ready to assist you.
Call us at 616-0700 to schedule an appointment, or learn more about our practice here.
Best Practice For Treating Chronic Back Pain
Using a combination of the forgotten remedies above is an effective treatment to solving back pain issues.There is no magic one size fits all. Thats not what we are about at the pain free foundation. We are about empowering individuals to make great decisions on their own and find the right treatment.
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Lower Back Hurts When Walking Or Standing
Your lower back provides support and stability to your body when youre in an upright position. Each vertebra is separated by a jelly-filled disc that serves as a cushion. These discs can become inflamed when standing for long periods of time. They can also experience wear and tear with age. Standing or walking for extended periods of time may aggravate this inflammation, resulting in pain.
Dont Carry Heavy Objects Or Wear Heels
What should you not do when your back hurts? Carry a heavy backpack, briefcase, purse, or laptop bag! The added weight will only make your lower back pain worse. Avoid carrying anything that weighs more than 5 to 7 pounds. Someone once said, If it weighs more than a cat, put it back. If your cat weighs 25 pounds, however, this advice wont work, of course.
Dont wear high heels either. Anything higher than 1 inch will increase the pressure on your lower back. Opt for tennis shoes or flats, rather than high heels.
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How Is Back Pain Treated
Acute back pain usually gets better on its own. Acute back pain is usually treated with:
- Medications designed to relieve pain and/or inflammation
- analgesics such as acetaminophen and aspirin
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be sold over the counter some NSAIDS are prescribed by a physician
- muscle relaxants are prescription drugs that are used on a short-term basis to relax tight muscles
- topical pain relief such as creams, gels, patches, or sprays applied to the skin stimulate the nerves in the skin to provide feelings of warmth or cold in order to dull the sensation of pain. Common topical medications include capsaicin and lidocaine.
Exercising, bed rest, and surgery are typically not recommended for acute back pain.Chronic back pain is most often treated with a stepped care approach, moving from simple low-cost treatments to more aggressive approaches. Specific treatments may depend on the identified cause of the back pain.
Rub On Medicated Creams
Skin creams, salves, ointments, or patches may help when your back feels stiff, sore, and tense. Many of these products contain ingredients such as menthol, camphor, or lidocaine that can cool, heat, or numb the affected area.
Put on creams right where you hurt. Ask someone to apply it if you have trouble reaching the spot.
âIt’s not going to be a mainstay at providing significant relief, but it can calm things down,â Ray says.
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Dont Lie In Bed Or Couch Surf
We understand that back pain is sometimes so intense, you cant do anything but put your butt in between the couch cushions, put a pillow under your knees, and hit up a Netflix marathon. This is OK for the first 24-48 hours, but after that, you are doing your back more harm than good.
What can you do for severe back pain? If you literally cannot walk, stand, or sit for more than a few minutes, even after 48 hours of bed rest, you should see your chiropractor immediately or go to the emergency room.
Rest for a short period of time, do some stretches, and get back on your feet!
Stop Trying Passive Treatments
Lea Patterson Service Photo Library / Getty Images
Passive treatments like heat, ice or ultrasound may feel good, but their effect is usually only temporary. Most research indicates that active self-care exercise and postural correction is an effective remedy for low back pain.
A visit to your physical therapist can help determine which exercises are best for your specific condition.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Low Back Pain
Low back pain is classified as acute and chronic. Acute low back pain lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute low back pain will resolve on its own. Chronic low back pain lasts for more than 3 months and often gets worse. The cause of chronic low back pain can be hard to find. These are the most common symptoms of low back pain. Symptoms may include discomfort or pain in the lower back that is:
- Protruding or herniated disk
How Long Before The Pain Goes Away
This will depend on what the root cause is. Most people will find that, with proper care, their low back pain improves within 4 weeks.
Unfortunately, unless you have followed your chiropractors advice, chances are your pain will return.
We hope you found this information helpful. If you did, please feel free to share this article with others.
We believe that no one should live in pain. Contact our Better Health Chiropractic Anchorage office for a same-day appointment or schedule an appointment online by .
Dont let low back pain ruin your life! Call and speak to one of our friendly representatives today.
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What Should I Know About Back Pain
Back pain is a very common problem and will affect many of us at some point during our lives.
The good news is that in most cases it isnt a serious problem, and it might just be caused by a simple strain to a muscle or ligament.
As far as possible, its best to continue with your normal everyday activities as soon as you can and to keep moving.
Being active and exercising wont make your back pain worse, even if you have a bit of pain and discomfort at first. Staying active will help you get better. Taking painkillers can help you do this.
Can Lower Back Pain Be A Sign Of Something Serious Like Cancer
Lower back pain can be related to cancer. In fact, it is one of the first symptoms of prostate cancer when it metastasizes and creates lesions. Almost any cancer can spread to the back and some, like sarcoma, can originate in the back. Be cautious, especially if you are experiencing other symptoms besides lower back pain. Talk to your doctor if you have additional symptoms or concerns.
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What Causes Low Back Pain
It might develop suddenly, like after you lift something heavy. Or it might come on slowly.
As you get older, the structure of your back begins to show wear and tear. Doctors call it âspondylosis,â which means your spineâs joints, disks, and vertebrae get worse over time. This slow decline can lead to many problems, like the following:
- Strains. This means you overstretch or tear your tendons or muscle. You can do this by twisting, lifting something thatâs too heavy, or lifting something the wrong way.
- Degenerated disks. When these are healthy, they cushion your back as you bend, flex, and twist. As disks begin to wear out, they no longer absorb the shock of these movements well.
- Herniated or ruptured disks. Normal disks are rubbery. When they become squeezed, a portion bulges out between your vertebrae.
- Radiculopathy. A spinal nerve can become pinched or inflamed. This can cause low back pain to travel down your legs. It can also cause numbness or tingling.
- Sciatica. This is the type of radiculopathy that affects the sciatic nerve, which runs from your butt down the backs of your legs. When itâs inflamed, you may feel burning or pain like an electrical shock that may go all the way down to your feet.
- Spondylolisthesis. In this condition, a vertebra slips out of place and pinches spinal nerves.
- Spinal stenosis. Your spinal column may narrow over time, putting pressure on your nerves. Your legs may feel numb and grow weaker.
Symptoms Of A Back Injury From A Fall
Symptoms of an acute back injury can present in many ways, but these are the most common:
- Pain or tenderness that worsens with movement
- Difficulty standing upright
If youre experiencing any of these following symptoms after a fall, it could be the sign of a serious back injury. If your symptoms match any of the items on this list, please seek emergency medical treatment or call 911 immediately:
- Shortness of breath difficulty breathing
- Numbness/pins-and-needles sensation in the extremities
- Blood in the urine
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Muscle Strain Or Sprain
A muscle strain or sprain is the most common cause of low back pain.
A strain is a tear or stretching in a tendon or muscle, while a sprain is a tear or stretching in a ligament.
Sprains and strains usually happen when you twist or lift something improperly, lift something heavy, or overstretch your back muscles.
These injuries can cause swelling, difficulty moving, and back spasms.
Find Activities That Make You Happy
Ongoing back pain can wreak havoc on your life, affecting your cherished relationships, finances, and your ability to get stuff done at work and at home. Finding activities that make you happy can help reduce some stress and may relieve some pain.
Some people find that even doing just 3 things that make them feel good each daysuch as enjoying a comforting cup of tea or coffee, calling an old friend, walking the dog, or receiving a longish 30-second hug from a loved onecan make pain more tolerable.
Even something as simple as laughter with a friend may stimulate feel-good endorphins.1, 2
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Relieving Your Back Pain
When you are suffering from an ache or struggling to get lower back pain relief, it may seem difficult to take a proactive approach to the matter. However, alleviating such aches may be largely within your control. If you make some simple changes in habit and lifestyle, you might be pleasantly surprised by the results. At North Texas Medical Center, we take great pride in helping our community achieve better health. If you are suffering from backache, call us at , or contact us online today.
Managing Low Back Pain: Tips And Strategies For Relieving Your Pain At Home
Self-care is extremely important to our physical, social and mental well-being. There are a variety of ways to take care of your health, but many people overlook the importance of simple home remedies that can effectively manage low back pain.
Exercise Regularly
Staying active is one of the most important things you can do to manage your pain levels. Regardless of how you exercise , engaging in regular physical activity can help to improve your flexibility, strength and overall health, resulting in less pain. If you are worried about what activities you can safely engage in with low back pain, talk with your chiropractor.
According to one study, Pilates, stabilization or motor control, resistance training, and aerobic exercise training are the most effective treatments for adults with low back pain. So if you have low back pain, consider starting a regular exercise routine that includes any of these or try them all and see what works best for you!
Go for a Walk
In addition to a regular exercise routine, another way to help manage low back pain is by walking regularly. Not only can regular walking help keep your muscles flexible and strong, but it also allows you to get out of the house or office and enjoy some much-needed fresh air and natural sunlight. To get started, start with short walks at a slow pace and gradually build up your endurance.
Apply Heat or Ice Packs
Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
Take-Home Points
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What Is The Outlook For People With Lower Back Pain
The outlook depends on the cause of pain. Most people with back strains and sprains recover and do not have long-term health issues. But many people will have another episode within a year.
Some people have chronic back pain that doesnt get better after several weeks. Older people with degenerative conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis may have symptoms that get worse over time. Surgery and other treatments are effective at helping people with a range of injuries and conditions live pain-free.
What To Do About Severe Lower Back Pain
If you have severe back pain, connect with a doctor as soon as possible.
You may discuss diagnostic tests if a healthcare professional hasnt already identified the cause of your back pain. After you receive a diagnosis from the doctor, youll discuss treatment options.
If your lower back pain is accompanied by a loss of bowel or bladder control, or progressive neurological loss, seek immediate medical attention. You might need emergency surgery.
There are many ways to prevent lower back pain. Taking these measures may help prevent pain altogether or lessen the severity of your symptoms if you manage to get injured.
Prevention may involve:
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When To Start Moving Again
After about one to three days of rest, start to move again to prevent stiffness and improve blood flow to injured muscles.
Engaging in slow, easy stretching and walking for 10-minute increments can help. Examples include pulling the knees in toward the chest or pulling straight legs toward the chest.
While some activities can be beneficial, others have the potential to worsen back pain. Avoid activities that involve:
- twisting the spine, such as hitting a golf or tennis ball
In addition to at-home treatments, your doctor may recommend and prescribe additional treatments. Examples include:
- physical therapy
- stronger anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, or pain medications
- steroid injections
In rare instances, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct injuries. If you have chronic back pain that was worsened by an injury, this may be the case.
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Low Back Pain Surgery
Spine surgery is not necessary for most people who have lower back pain. If you do need it, your doctor will recommend an appropriate procedure to address your specific symptoms and medical situation. Common spine surgeries include:
. Two or more vertebrae are permanently fused together to limit excess spinal motion. Your surgeon will use a combination of bone, bonelike material, screws, plates and rods to hold the vertebrae together so they can heal into a single unit. Spinal fusion may be done to correct spinal deformities or to increase the spines stability in severe cases of spinal osteoarthritis or herniated discs.
. Laminectomy is a surgery in which your surgeon removes the back portion of one or more vertebrae to create more space for the spinal cord or other nerves. In people with severe arthritis, bone spurs within the spinal canal can grow large enough to press on the spinal cord, causing pain and limiting mobility. In a similar surgery known as laminotomy, your surgeon will remove a small piece of bone called the lamina from the back of the vertebra.
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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.
Why Am I In Pain
When the muscles supporting the lower spine need to be strengthened, lumbar stabilization may be used in your chiropractic treatment as a form of physical therapy.
Lower back pain is often caused by a muscle strain. The erector spinae, or large paired muscles in the lower back that help keep your spine erect, can become inflamed and spasm.
Lumbar stabilization helps you develop strength, flexibility, and endurance and also has been shown effective in alleviating lower back pain.
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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.
