Most lower back pain can be traced to injuries within the musculoskeletal system and can be easily treated. These injuries are normally caused by either lifting something too heavy or twisting in an uncomfortable way. Most injuries that cause lower back pain occurs while doing normal, everyday activities. When dealing with musculoskeletal injuries, surgery is rarely needed.
To avoid musculoskeletal back injuries, it is important to:
- Be cautious when lifting heavy items and remember to bend your knees and keep your back straight. If you are grabbing something from the ground.
- Maintain good posture and keep the muscles in your back as straight as possible to prevent any long-term damage.
- Stretch your back regularly to keep your muscles prepared if you need to lift something heavy or use your back more rigorously than normal.
How Do You Eliminate Lower Back Pain Caused by Common Injuries?
Most lower back pain is caused by muscular strain or stringent activities and can be eliminated without surgery. Treatments include non-invasive measures that patients could do at home such as stretching and the use of a heating pad. Simultaneously, patients could utilize prescribed pain relievers and/or attend physical therapy. There are many different medications that could be prescribed. It is imperative to find the right one for the individual. If the patient chooses to attend physical therapy, it is important to find a therapy that works with the injured muscles. Pain can be personal to each patient, the treatment plan should also be personalized. The journey to find the correct treatment can be lengthy, but once we find the correct path discomfort will subside.
What Are Some Rare Causes of Lower Back Pain?
In some cases, back pain can be caused by major injuries that will require surgery. Though these cases are rare, when they occur, it is important to diagnose the patient and identify a treatment plan.
Some of these injuries include, but are not limited to:
Lumbar Stenosis
Lumbar stenosis occurs when the open spaces in the lower back begin to narrow due to the general wear and tear in your joints over time. This injury can cause strain on the spinal cord, which can affect everyday activities such as walking. Lumbar stenosis is somewhat common and can be treated by surgery.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is caused by one bone or vertebrae in the spine falling out of place and stacking on top of the vertebrae below it. This injury can cause immense pressure in the lower back and must be relieved by undergoing surgery.
Back Fractures
Back fractures pertain to when one of the thirty-three bones that protect your spinal cord break. Thus making your spinal cord and nervous system vulnerable. Though back fractures seem daunting, the breaking of a bone does not immediately cause a spinal injury. However, if this broken bone goes untreated, there is potential for a future spinal cord injury.
How Do You Know If You Should See a Specialist For Your Lower Back Injury?
The easiest way to decide whether or not to see a specialist for your injury is to try at-home remedies such as the ones listed above. If they are not successful in relieving pain, then you should visit a spinal specialist. Even if you have high pain tolerance, seek treatment if your pain does not subside over time. Leaving back pain untreated can cause a number of future injuries.
If your back pain cannot be relieved with at-home remedies, schedule an appointment with Axis Spine Clinic to discuss diagnosis and treatment plans.