About Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can affect anyone, but is very common is people aged 35-55. Back pain can be divided into three categories:
1) Acute lower back pain – lasting less than 6 weeks
2) Sub-acute lower back pain – lasting 6 weeks to 3 months
3) Chronic lower back pain – lasting more than 3 months

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Causes Of Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain can be caused by several different structures. In a lot of cases low back pain is caused by several factors coming together, rather than just one tissue type being affected. Here are some specific causes of lower back pain:

- Muscle sprain
- Disc protrusion
- Prolapsed disc (a.k.a. slipped disc or herniated disc)
- Spinal stenosis
- Collapsed vertebra
- Intervertebral joint lesion

Lower back pain and back ache is on the rise. One of the reasons for this is we are spending more time sitting than ever before. Think about it. Someone who has an office or desk based job sits at work, sits to and from work, then sits at home. Our bodies are designed to move. In fact our bodies depend on movement to maintain health. The spinal discs and cartilage in our bodies have no blood supply. This means that they have a poorer rate of recovery. Every time we move, these discs and cartilage get squeezed which aids the excretion of waste products. When released, fresh fluid floods back in to hydrate and nourish the tissues. If this process does not occur efficiently and regularly, the long term effects will results in lower back pain.

Other causes of lower back pain can also present with the following symptoms:
- fever / high temperature
- swelling in low back area
- redness over low back area
- pain in the legs (particularly below the knees)
- numbness, weakness or tingling in leg(s) and/or buttock(s)
- incontinence (loss of bladder and/or bowel control)
If you suffer from any of these other symptoms then you must contact your Osteopath immediately!

“Red flags” of lower back pain are a cause for concern and you must contact your Osteopath urgently if any of the following ever apply to you:
- result of an injury (e.g. car accident, road traffic accident, whiplash)
- aged under 20 or over 55 years with lower back pain lasting more than a few days
- currently have, or had cancer in the past
- have HIV/AIDS
- long term steroid medication

Diganosis Of Lower Back Pain
Your Osteopath will ask you to accurately describe the symptoms of your lower back pain during the case history, followed by a thorough examination. Further tests may also be carried out, such as neurological, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory examinations. If the Osteopath suspects there to be an underlying pathology causing your symptoms, they may refer you for tests such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI or blood tests.

Treatment
Once an accurate diagnosis of your low back pain is made treatment may begin. Osteopathic treatment for low back pain involves a range of articulation, manipulation, soft tissue massage and traction techniques.

However there are things that you can do to help when you are suffering from lower back pain:
- Keep active – staying as mobile as you can is important in ensuring your condition does not worsen. Only move in a pain-free range however.
- Take rest – In cases where any movement is causing extreme pain, rest is vital for your body to recover.
- Heat – Heat is good in cases where your low back pain is caused by muscle spasm.
- Ice – Ice applied locally brings down inflammation of muscles and joints. Note however if applied for too long, this can have a negative affect so please contact us for specific advice.

Surgery
Surgery is the last resort with regards to your low back pain. The Osteopath’s job is to delay the requirement for surgery as much as they can. However if surgery is required then Osteopathy can help both before and after surgical intervention.

Prevention
Regular appointments at The Osteocare Clinic help diagnose and treat low back pain before they worsen. Keeping active is vital in the prevention of lower back pain. However if you have a desk based job this can often prove quite difficult. Have a look at our blog post on Office Space on tips on how to improve your sitting posture. Reducing stress is also important in keeping healthy.

Links:
- Lower Back Pain
- Obesity & Lower Back Pain

Posted by Mr. Trishul Vadi (Principal Osteopath in West Wickham, Beckenham, Bromley & South East London) on Friday, August 6th, 2010