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Back Pain

Back pain is the second most common reason that patients visit their doctors. Between 60 and 90 percent of adults will experience low back pain during their lifetime. Most back pain syndromes are short-lived, and 80 percent of people return to normal activity within four weeks.


What to Do If You Suffer Back Pain

First, try to determine if the pain is from a muscle strain or sprain or one of the other causes listed. Obviously if you did something to hurt your back such as falling or picking up something heavy, a strain or sprain may be the cause. If there were no physical or traumatic events that preceded the back pain, consider other causes such as urinary tract infections or kidney stones, which often require medical evaluation.

If the problem is from a sprain or strain, then your first action is no action: i.e., rest. Assume whatever position is most comfortable, typically flat on your back with your legs elevated or propped up with a pillow. Rotate heat and ice applications for 10 to 20 minutes each, two to three times a day. Use anti-
inflammatory medications such as Naprosyn, Ibuprofen, or aspirin three or four times a day, unless you have a condition that would prohibit your use of these medications. (See pharmaceutical guidelines).

Rest for 24 to 48 hours and then gradually start simple stretches and exercises to loosen up the back muscles. If any stretches cause extreme discomfort or concern, stop immediately and seek medical attention. The key to early recovery from a low-back strain is motion (“motion is lotion”), as tolerated. Pain is the body’s normal response to a strain or sprain and is caused by inflammation of the ligaments and muscles. Spasm of the surrounding muscles may contribute to pain. Movements will typically increase the pain early on, but as time goes on movements and stretching will start to help.

If at any time you experience weakness or numbness in the lower extremities or loss of control of bowel movements or urination, seek medical attention immediately. If you have fever, significant abdominal pain, chills, significant headache, nausea or vomiting, blood in the stool or urine, visual disturbances, difficulty with urination, or your pain is worse during your menstrual cycle, it is less likely that your pain is a strain or sprain so again, seek medical attention immediately.

Causes of Back Pain