Many musculoskeletal problemsare often easily diagnosed and
successfully treated, unfortunately lower back muscle pain is not one
of them. Causes of lower back pain can be elusive, leading to
incorrect diagnosis and then wrong treatment.
PAIN AND WHAT IT TELLS YOU
"Pain is a signal something is wrong."
It the lower back muscle pain is short lasting and mild it may be
nothing to worry about, on the flip side if it severe and lasts for a
few days up to a week or more, you body is most likely trying to tell
you something is wrong. Failing to listen to your body's signals can
make issues worse, extending the duration of lower back muscle pain,
often for unnecessary periods.
General rules as to when to refer to a doctor are:
If the pain is severe
If there is swelling
If you hear a cracking or snapping at the time of the injury
If you cannot perform your normal day to day duties
If there is nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, paralysis, weakness or
disturbed function following an accident or injury.
If the pain continues beyond 7-10 days.1
WHAT IS LOWER BACK MUSCLE PAIN?
Low back pain affects the back muscles in the lower part of the back.
It can be described as:
· Acute if it is less than 6 weeks
· Sub-acute if it 6-12 weeks
· Chronic if it is more than 12 weeks
Many people have suffered from low back pain, costing millions in lost
work as well as medical and insurance resources. Lower back muscle
pain is a very common back complaint, affecting four out of five
people at some point in their lives. Although most lower back muscle
pain will fix itself out within a few days to a few weeks.
LOWER BACK PAIN – AMERICAN STATISTICS
· 80% of society will suffer back pain of some type
Low back pain
· 88% will be asymptomatic in 6 weeks
· 98% in 24 weeks
· 99% in 52 weeks
· 97% of causes are unknown
· 2% attributed to disc problems
· 29% will require conservative treatment only
· 1% will require surgery
· The rest will recover spontaneously2
RISK FACTORS – LOWER BACK MUSCLE PAIN
Postural deformities and leg length, in general, don't seem to
predispose to lower back muscle pain. Studies of static work postures
indicate an increased risk of lower back pain sitting with a bent over
working posture seems to carry significant risk, for example sitting
in a car for more than half a work day can lead to three times the
risk of disc herniation.3
· Physically heavy, static work postures
· Frequent bending and twisting, lifting and forceful movements
· Repetitive work and vibrations
· Tallness leads to increased risk
· Sciatica is more frequent in obese people
· Weak trunk muscles and decreased endurance
· Coughing – leading to decreased blood supply to essential areas
· Social factors i.e alcoholism, history of divorce, level of
education, history of depression.4
SYMPTOMS OF LOWER BACK PAIN
Low back pain means a pain or ache somewhere between the bottom of the
ribs at the back and the top of the legs. That may begin suddenly or
follow obvious strain or injury or it can come 'out of the blue'.
It is possible that pain may also travel for example down the buttocks
even to the foot. It can be worse bending and is often worse when
sitting. Pain that is agonizing can be experienced when rolling over
in bed or possibly sitting up. Coughing or sneezing can aggravate the
pain. Back muscles can also go into painful spasms.
Lower back muscle pain may be combined with pain in the leg traveling
down the knee. This is otherwise called sciatica, because the main
nerve in the leg, the sciatica nerve, is being irritated by pressure
on it..
If in doubt consult your doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist an
osteopath or myotherapist.
GUIDELINES
The first thing to rule out is other obvious conditions which may
cause back pain. Watch out for 'red flags' or warning signs, which are
factors that may need more rapid treatment. They may point to
something more serious than a mechanical problem. If any of these
apply to you it is recommended please make sure you see your doctor.
· You are younger than 2o when you first get back pain
· You are older than 55 when you first get back pain
· The pain follows a violent injury
· The pain is constant and getting worse
· You have had or have cancer
· You are on steroids
· You are drug abuser
· You have HIV
· You are generally unwell
· You have significant and unexplained weight loss
· You have significant trouble bending forward over a period of time
· You have developed nervous system problems – numbness, loss of power etc
· You have developed an obvious structural deformities
· If the pain continues over 4 weeks
CONCLUSION
If you are concerned about lower back muscle pain please consult your
health care practitioner or doctor. To find out more information
please visit YourBackHealth.com
1 Listen to Your Pain. B, Benjamin. Penguin Books. P6
2 Ibid
3 Ibid P543
4 Ibid P544
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