DESCRIPTION:Eightypercentofadultswillexperiencesignificantlowbackpainsometimeduring

theirlifetime.Lowbackpainusuallyinvolvesmusclespasmofthesupportivemusclesalongthespine.
Also,pain,numbnessandtinglinginthebuttocksorlowerextremitycanberelatedtotheback.There
aremultiplecausesoflowbackpain(seebelow).Preventionoflowbackpainisextremelyimportant,
assymptomscanrecuronmorethanoneoccasion.

COMMONCAUSES:
Musclestrain.Themusclesofthelowbackprovidethestrengthandmobilityforallactivitiesofdaily
living.Strainsoccurwhenamuscleisoverworkedorweak.
Ligamentsprain.Ligamentsconnectthespinalvertebraeandprovidestabilityforthelowback.They
canbeinjuredwithasudden,forcefulmovementorprolongedstress.
Poorposture.Poorposturalalignment(suchasslouchinginfrontoftheTVorsittinghunchedovera
desk)createsmuscularfatigue,jointcompression,andstressesthediscsthatcushionyourvertebrae.
Yearsofabusecancausemuscularimbalancessuchastightnessandweakness,whichalsocausepain.
Age.Wearandtearandinheritedfactorsmaycausedegenerativechangesinthediscs(called
degenerativediscdisease),andjointdegenerationofthefacetjointsofthespine(calleddegenerative
jointdisease).Normalagingcausesdecreasedbonedensity,strengthandelasticityofmusclesand
ligaments.Theseeffectscanbeminimizedbyregularexercise,properliftingandmovingtechniques,
propernutritionandbodycomposition,andavoidanceofsmoking.
Discbulge.orherniation,cancausepressureonanerve,whichcanradiatepaindowntheleg.This
generallyrespondswelltoastrengtheningandstretchingprogramandrarelyrequiressurgery.
Othercausesoflowbackpainincludebladder/kidneyinfection,endometriosis,cancer,orovarian
problems.

TREATMENT:
REST:Restfromaggravatingactivity.Avoidprolongedsitting,driving,bending,heavyliftingand
twisting.
ICE:Iceappliedtothelowbackfor15minutesevery12hoursishelpfulinreducingpainand
spasm.
Avoidusingheatforthefirst48hoursofanacuteinjury.
NSAIDs:Yourdoctormayprescribeantiinflammatorymedicationsuchasaspirin,advil,aleve,
ibuprofenor
naproxensodium.
EARLYEXERCISE:Gentleexerciseformobilityandstretching(especiallythemusclesofthelegs
andback)
canhelpdecreasetheseverity,durationandrecurrenceoflowbackpain.Trythesuggestedexercises
onthe
backofthissheet.Donotperformexercisesthatincreaseyourpain.
POSITIONING:Modifyingyoursleepingpositioncanhelpeasestraintoyourlowback.Makesure
your
bedisfirmenoughtogiveyouadequatesupport,anduseasmallpillowforyouhead.Ifyousleepon
your
back,tryputtingapillowunderyourknees.Orifyouprefertosleepsidelying,putapillowbetween
your
thighsandifyouaresidebent,afoldedtowelunderyourwaistline.

PREVENTION:Oncetheseverityofpainhasdecreased,arehabilitationprogramtostrengthenyour
hip,abdominalandbackmusclescanhelppreventrecurrences.Posture!Posture!Posture!Thegoalis
neutralspine,notslumpedoroverarched.Properliftingandbodymechanics.Seeyourhealthcare
providerifyouhavethefollowing:significantpainthatpersistsbeyondaweek,unexplainedfever,
unexplainedweightloss,rednessorswellingonthebackorspine,pain/numbness/tinglingthattravels
downtheleg(s)belowtheknee,legweakness,bowelorbladderproblems,orbackpainduetoasevere
bloworfall.
Ifyoursymptomsdonotresolvewithin24weekspleasecontactyourclinician.