HEALTH - BACK PAIN
Back pain is an all-too-familiar problem that can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that leaves you incapacitated. It can come on suddenly from an accident, a fall, or lifting something too heavy or it can develop slowly, perhaps as the result of age-related changes to the spine. Regardless of how back pain happens or how it feels, you will know it when you have it. And chances are, if you don't have back pain now, you will eventually. At some point, back pain affects an estimated 8 out of 10 people. Back pain is one of our society's most common medical problems.
Lower Back Pain
If you have lower back pain, you are not alone. Nearly everyone at some point will have lower back pain that interferes with work, routine daily activities, or recreation. Americans spend at least 50 billion dollars each year on lower back pain relief.
Lower back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability and a leading contributor to missed work. Back pain is the second most common neurological ailment (after headaches) in the United States. Fortunately, most occurrences of lower back pain will go away within a few days.
Treatment
Before a doctor can begin treating back pain, he or she may do tests to diagnose what is causing the patient's problem. Unless you are totally immobilized from a back injury, your doctor probably will test your range of motion and nerve function and touch your body to locate the area of discomfort.
Blood and urine tests will make sure the pain is not due to an infection or other systemic problem if that's something your doctor suspects. X-rays are useful in pinpointing broken bones or other skeletal defects. They can sometimes help locate problems in connective tissue. To analyze soft-tissue damage, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans may be needed. A CT scan can be done instead for those who cannot have an MRI. X-rays and imaging studies are not usually indicated for first time back pain due to an overuse type injury, and are generally used only for checking out direct trauma to the back, back pain with fever, or nerve problems such as weakness or numbness in the arms or legs. To determine possible nerve or muscle damage, an electromyogram (EMG) can be useful.
Long-term bed rest, which is considered greater than 72 hours, is not only no longer considered necessary for most cases of back pain, it is actually potentially harmful, making recovery slower and potentially causing new problems. In most cases, you will be expected to start normal, non strenuous activity within 24 to 72 hours. After that you should begin controlled exercise or physical therapy. Physical therapy treatments may employ massage, ultrasound, whirlpool baths, controlled application of heat, and individually tailored exercise programs to help you regain full use of the back. Strengthening both the abdominal and back muscles helps stabilize the spine. You can prevent further back injury by learning -- and doing -- gentle stretching exercises and proper lifting techniques, and maintaining good posture.
more details
www.spine-health.com
www.spineuniverse.com
www.allaboutbackpain.com