HOW COMMON IS LOW BACK PAIN?

Due to changing life style low back pain is very common and affects about 80% of people. Majority of the pain is due to mechanical causes (muscles, ligaments, joints and bones).

WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES?

  • Poor posture
  • Riding on bad roads with bad posture is very dangerous
  • Muscle soreness from over-activity. Muscles and ligament fibers can be overstretched or injured.

ETIOLOGY

  • Disc bulge/extrusion/protrusion
  • Disk Degeneration
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Trauma/Fractures
  • Infection- septic/TB
  • Kypho-Scoliosis
  • Spinal-arthritis
  • Tumour
  • Auto-immune diseases- ankylossing spondylitis
  • Referred pain from gall baldder or renal calculi

WHAT DO YOU EXPERIENCE?

Back pain is sharp or stabbing. It can be dull, achy, or feel like a throbbing or burning type cramp. The type of pain you have will depend on the underlying cause of your back pain.

  • Back pain aggrevates with bending and lifting.
  • Sitting for >2hours may worsen pain and produce numbness and relieved on bending forward
  • Back pain comes and goes and often follows an up and down course with good days and bad days.
  • Pain on lying flat on bed
  • Pain aggrevates on travelling and radiates upto your thighs.
  • Radiating pain may extend from the back into the buttock or outer hip area, but not down the leg (SCIATICA).
  • Pins and needles sensation in lower limbs
  • Numbness in lower limbs
  • Repeated muscle cramps

WHAT TO DO?

  • Rest- lying on bed
  • Hot/cold compress
  • Liniment application
  • Regular walking in sunshine
  • Exercises and stretches

RED FLAG SIGNS!

  • Sudden increase in back pain that impairs daily activities
  • Back pain with bowel or bladder control problems
  • Leg weakness
  • Fever
  • Back pain when coughing
  • Unexpected weight loss

YOU SHOULD CALL YOUR DOCTOR

HOW YOUR DOCTOR WILL MANAGE?

  • Clinical examination
  • Neurological examination
  • Imaging studies
  • Nerve conduction study

TREATMENT

  • Medication
  • Exercise
  • Physiotherapy
  • Epidural Steroid Therapy
  • Nerve blocks
  • Surgical procedures

HOW TO PREVENT AND AVOID BACK PAIN?

  • Spine exercise and stretches- pelvic bridge, cat and dog stretch exercise
  • Proper lifting of heavy items by bending knees
  • Avoid Smoking
  • Good posture while working, riding bike etc.
  • Drink adequate water while exercising
  • Good walk in sunlight

WALK REGULARLY AND STRETCH UNDER THE SUN TO SHINE YOUR SPINE TO MAKE IT FEEL FINE!