Low Back Pain

Low back pain - Spondylosis

Mild or moderate low back pain can be from a chronic (long-term) back problem or can follow a bout of acute back pain. It may be difficult to diagnose a specific cause of long-term injuries because there are many structures that can cause, or contribute.

Advert

Here we outline a step-by-step process for reducing, curing, and managing chronic or long-term back pain based on identifying possible causes, reducing pain, and restoring mobility and strength.

Treatment of moderate low back pain

Chronic back pain is usually caused initially by an injury, usually to the joints in the back. But over time other structures, in particular, soft tissue such as muscles contribute to the pain.

Muscles tighten up and go into spasms in response to a back injury and if left they can tighten, weaken or adaptively shorten. This causes changes in posture or movement, which then also makes your condition worse.

Advert
Back supports

Buy Back Supports

UPMedical.co.uk (UK)

Amazon.com (USA)

Moderate low back pain can also follow an episode of acute pain. After 24 hours the initial severe symptoms often ease. Symptoms include aching in the lower back which may be constant or can come and go. It can be on one side of the back or all the way across and may radiate into the buttocks and back of the thigh. The patient is likely to have a reduced range of motion with tenderness over parts of the spine.

Treatment of chronic or long-term back pain involves identifying the possible causes which can include various back injury conditions as well as postural or work-related causes, reducing pain and inflammation, restoring full pain-free mobility, increasing strength, and returning to full fitness.

Advert
Reflective running gear and vests

Cold Therapy Wraps

UPMedical.co.uk (UK)

Amazon.com (USA)

Identifying possible causes

A number of back injuries and conditions can contribute. More often than not it will not be possible to diagnose the exact cause. MRI scans and other assessment techniques have not been proven to be accurate enough in many cases.

However, where a condition such as disc problems, facet joint pain, stress fractures, sacroiliac joint pain, and hip joint injuries are present it may be possible to make a diagnosis. A chiropractor or Osteopath will have a great deal of experience in diagnosing possible mechanical causes of back pain and offer appropriate treatment.

Postural problems include hyperlordosis which is an increased lumbar curve in the spine and scoliosis which is an S or C-shaped curve in the spine when viewed from behind. Poor posture when sitting or standing is a very common factor contributing to back pain as is poor pelvic or core stability and weak muscles of the back and trunk. Sleeping in a bed which offers poor support can also be a contributing factor to chronic injuries. Spending too long sitting at a desk or driving in a car can cause adaptive muscle shortening and put pressure on the structures of the lower back.

Reducing back pain

A doctor may prescribe painkillers of NSAIDs which are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle spasm. If the muscle spasm is removed often the pain is significantly reduced so the drug can help to cure the problem and not just mask it. Always check with a doctor before taking medication and do not take Ibuprofen if you have asthma. NSAIDs should always be a short-term measure and not rely on long-term as they are not likely to be effective and can cause other side effects.

Back massage can help with back pain by relaxing muscles and reducing muscles spasm. Often with chronic back pain, muscles have gone into spasms which prevents blood from supplying the nutrients the muscles need which makes them weak, and tight and a vicious circle of pain continues. Deep tissue massage flushes blood and nutrients through the muscle, stretches them, warms them, and relaxes them easing muscle spasms and allowing the muscle to work more efficiently. See the benefits of sports massage for more details.

Chiropractors and Osteopaths can be very effective in relieving back pain through mobilization and manipulation of the spine. By restoring the spine to its normal position pressure on nerves is released reducing pain and tension in the muscles. Many practitioners will also use soft tissue massage and electrotherapy as part of their treatment approach.

Dry needling or acupuncture can help reduce long-term back pain. Sterile needles are inserted into the muscle at specific trigger points or tiny localized knots. By deactivating or neutralizing the trigger points back pain is reduced.

If there is tension in the sciatic nerve which would be identified via the slump test which puts the sciatic nerve on stretch then suitable exercises which help stretch the sciatic nerve can also help to reduce moderate back pain.

No specific treatment method for low back pain has been proven to be effective so a number of approaches should be tried. Their effectiveness may vary from patient to patient. Different treatment methods may be more effective for some people than others.

Is my back too weak?

Weak back and especially core and abdomen muscles will be unable to support the back sufficiently leading to pain and tiredness.

Symptoms of a weak back include pain, tiredness, and stiffness in the lower back which gets worse during the day especially if you are standing for a long period of time as well as pain in the lower back after lifting.

A weak back may cause symptoms in the lumbar (lower) region of the back. It is caused by the muscles in the back and abdomen not being strong enough to do their job of supporting the spine properly. Poor posture is also a contributory factor putting more strain on back muscles than is necessary.

Advert
Back supports

Buy Back Supports

UPMedical.co.uk (UK)

Amazon.com (USA)

Restoring strength and mobility

You should do back mobility and stretching exercises to restore normal movement in the spine if pain allows. A normal functioning spine is much less likely to be painful. If an exercise is painful then do not do it. Rotational back mobility exercises, as well as flexion and extension, may be required. However, it is important to get professional advice when beginning a back mobility program because some joints may have too much movement and some may have too little and the wrong exercises can make back pain worse.

Back strengthening exercises are very important and should also begin as soon as pain allows. In particular, core strengthening exercises will provide firm support and a strong base for the back and are likely to improve sports performance at the same time. Pilates exercises are often prescribed for rehabilitation and prevention.

Scientific research

Scroll to Top