Lower back pain is a condition that affects nearly everyone at some point or another in their lifetime. Low back pain will interfere with work, daily activities or hobbies and recreation.
Interestingly, money in the U.S. tops 50 billion dollars a year to diagnose and treat lower back pain. Back pain is the second most common neurological condition in the U.S. and is the most common cause of job related disability and leading contributor to missed work.
Lower back pain comes as an acute problem which is short term and lasts only a few days to a few weeks or chronic pain, which is measured as lasting more than 3 months and can be progressive.
The treatment for low back pain usually incorporates the use of non-invasive recommendations and usually doesn’t involve surgery. Rehabilitation with a Chiropractor specializing in corrective care protocols will help restore proper function and strength. Most patients will recover without any residual functional loss.
There are several things that a patient can do at home to start caring for their back. The first is NOT to stay in bed all day. Bed rest used to be the treatment of choice but now physicians and Chiropractors understand that by resting the back completely, patients are allowing the muscles to stiffen which makes the pain even worse.
Using ice or heat, although never scientifically proven to quickly resolve low back injury, may help to reduce inflammation or swelling. As soon as possible after an injury, an individual should use an ice pack over the area. This can be a bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel. Use ice for 20 minutes several times a day for 2 to 3 days. The ice will help to reduce the inflammation.
If the pain and discomfort isn’t reduced after 72 hours, you should consult with a physician for treatment protocols that will help to rehabilitate the area so that there is no functional loss in the mobility of the back. Our office specializes in rehab protocols and will tailor make one for your own needs and spinal condition.
Using warm baths or hot packs after 3 or 4 days will help to relax the muscles and increase the blood flow to the area. Individuals should never sleep with a heating pad which can result in burns and other tissue damage.
Believe it or not, exercise is an important aspect of rehabilitation of the lower back muscles, even within one week of the injury. Now, this doesn’t mean Olympian efforts but rather slowly building muscle strength and flexibility. A routine of back-healthy activities should be included each week that will keep the muscles moving and speed the recovery process. These activities will include stretching, swimming, walking and movement therapy to improve coordination. We utilize a web-based exercise protocol specifically for you that will get you back to doing the activities you love.
Yoga and pilates are two other methods of incorporating stretching and strengthening into your exercise routine. At the start of exercising there may be some mild discomfort ,but this should disappear as the muscles grow stronger and more flexible. If the pain is more than mild or persists for longer than 15 minutes during the exercises then you should stop the activity and come in for evaluation.
It’s important for the individual to keep doing the exercises even after the pain has resolved. Back pain, although acute the first time, can become chronic if the patient doesn’t take good care of their back. Call us at 919-845-0200 and let us help you design a protocol specific to your back condition, so your future is a healthy and enjoyable one!
