Lower Back Pain

Low Back Pain

What is low back pain?
Low back pain can range from mild, dull, annoying pain, to persistent, severe, disabling pain in the lower back. Pain in the lower back can restrict mobility and interfere with normal functioning.

Low back pain is one of the most significant health problems. Consider these statistics from the National Institute of Health:

Seventy to 85 percent of all people have back pain at some time in their life.

Back pain is the most frequent cause of activity limitation in people younger than 45 years old.

What causes low back pain?
Even with today's technology, the exact cause of low back pain can be found in very few cases. In most cases, back pain may be a symptom of many different causes, including any/several of the following:

overuse, strenuous activity, or improper use (i.e., repetitive or heavy lifting, exposure to vibration for prolonged periods of time)
trauma/injury/fracture
degeneration of vertebrae - often caused by stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine, or the effects of aging
infection
abnormal growth (tumor)
obesity - increased weight on the spine and pressure on the discs often causes back pain
poor muscle tone in the back
muscle tension or spasm
sprain or strain
ligament or muscle tears
joint problems
smoking
protruding or herniated (slipped) disk
disease (i.e., osteoarthritis, spondylitis, compression fractures)

Can low back pain be prevented?
The following may help to prevent low back pain:

practicing correct lifting techniques
maintaining correct posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping
exercising regularly (with proper stretching before participation)
avoiding smoking
maintaining a healthy weight
reducing emotional stress which may cause muscle tension

Diagnosis of low back pain:
In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for low back pain may include any/all of the following. However, during many initial assessments and examinations, specialized tests are not necessary.

imaging tests, such as:

x-rays

computerized tomography (CT ) scan

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

bone scan - to asses bone activity

electromyography (EMG) - electrical test to determine nerve or muscle damage

Treatment for low back pain:
Specific treatment will be determined by your physician(s) based on:

your age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

activity modification
medication
physical rehabilitation and/or therapy
occupational therapy
weight loss (if overweight)
no smoking
following a prevention program (as directed by your physician)
surgery
assistive devices (i.e., mechanical back supports)

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