Eighty-five percent of people develop some back pain during their lifetime.
Of this group, most people (95%) get better in 6 to 12 weeks.
Acute back pain may be related to several common conditions, such as
degenerative arthritis, degenerative disk disease, spinal canal stenosis,
muscular pain/ligament strain or sciatica. Often, the pain is caused by a
combination of these conditions.
What to do?
Most people diagnose their own back pain based on previous experience, and
treat the pain with over-the-counter medications and rest. Families, friends and
neighbors are also a source of information. However, it is important to realize
that everyone is different and it is never safe to take someone else's
medication. Always contact your health care provider before taking any
medication that is not prescribed specifically for you.
There are circumstances when you should seek immediate medical attention for
back pain. These include:
- Severe back pain
- Radiating pain into your legs
- Bowel or bladder incontinence
- Leg weakness
- Persistent fever
- Color changes in legs or feet
For severe pain or pain that lasts more than one week, it is reasonable to
seek medical attention. Your physician will review your medical history, examine
you and then organize a plan for diagnosis and management.
Although back pain diagnosis may include tests such as X-rays, MRI scans and
EMG testing, it is reasonable in some cases to treat the symptoms of back pain
without having those tests.
Treatment of acute back pain during this time is designed to reduce pain,
relieve muscle spasms, improve sleep (which is often disrupted by back pain),
and employ conditioning measures to improve the overall health of the back.
How is acute back pain managed?
Management of acute low back pain ranges from conservative to intensive.
Conservative pain management includes prevention, rest (brief), heat (using a
heating pad or moist hot pack), cold packs, pain relievers, muscle relaxants,
and physical therapy
Bedrest may be recommended for 2 or 3 days. During this time, you should not
perform tasks that may place strain on your back, such as walking, house
cleaning, sitting and lifting. Your doctor may ask you to begin gentle back
exercises to keep your back muscles flexible.
Prevention is the most important management technique and even plays a
prominent role in rehabilitating people with problematic pain. Prevention
methods include:
- A well-balanced diet
- Regular exercise program
- Smoking cessation
- Weight loss
- Good body mechanics (posture, lifting heavy objects, workplace
evaluation and changes)