If you've awakened one morning to find that your lower backaches, you are not alone.
Sixty to 70 percent of people will experience low back pain atleast once; of those, between 2 and 7 percent will find that the painreturns and becomes chronic, according to Dr. David Boyce, assistantprofessor of physical therapy at Bellarmine University in Louisville,Ky., and owner of Physical Therapy Plus.
The good news is that 90 percent of those who experience acutelow back pain will recover within a month.
Still, for many people, low-back pain can be frustratingbecause its cause is elusive. "MRIs and X-rays often don't showanything," noted Boyce."What we know is that people may have a geneticpredisposition to arthritis of the back, they make the mistake ofsitting at a desk all day and not moving, or they engage in repetitivebending and lifting and pay for it later in pain," Boyce said.
When it comes to easing the pain, many doctors recommend abrief period of bed rest (no more than two days), the use ofanti-inflammatory drugs such as Aleve, and alternating heat and coldpacks.
After a brief respite, exercise is recommended. Boyce saidmany people don't realize that staying in shape by walking, jogging orother aerobic exercise can help prevent back pain.
"While there has been no definitive link established, having abig abdomen puts a load on your back. Anything you do to stay in shapeis bound to help," said Boyce.He also advises: If you work at a desk, be sure that your feet are plantedfirmly on the ground with your knees and hips at a 90 degree angle toyour body. Look for a chair with a light lumbar support and armrestso that you can rest your arms while typing. When lifting, bring the load close to your body and moveyour feet to carry the load. Avoid bending and twisting your body. Try to improve your strength and flexibility throughexercises including pelvic tilts, hamstring stretches and leg lifts.While back pain often resolves itself, both Dr. Boyce and theAmerican Academy of Family Physicians suggest seeking the advice ofyour family physician if you notice the following: Pain goes down your leg below your knee. Your leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb. You have fever, nausea or vomiting, stomach ache, weaknessor sweating. You are a menopausal woman and the pain persists, whichcould indicate a bone fracture. Your pain is so intense you can't move around. Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better after two tothree weeks.By keeping active, being cautious when lifting and being aware of thesigns of something more serious, you can make back pain a thing of thepast! Source: Kentucky Monthly. Poweredby Yellowbrix.
