What should I do if I have low back pain atwork?
Tell your supervisor right away, and see your doctor as soonas possible. Treatment usually consists of cold or heat therapy, painmedicine and exercise. Keep your employer and your doctor informedabout your condition and work status.
How long should the pain last?
Low back pain is a common problem, but it usually is notserious. You will probably start to feel better within two weeks. Youshould feel much better after four weeks.
What activities can I do?
Try to keep doing the things you normally do. You should notstay in bed for more than two days. Stretching and mild aerobicexercise (such as walking and swimming) can prevent stiffness and helpyou get better faster. You should slowly increase how much exercise youdo. Exercise can help keep low back pain from coming back.
Will going back to work make the pain worse?
Working can cause discomfort in your lower back, but this isnot harmful. If you can't do your regular job duties, ask yoursupervisor if you can do different work until you get better.
Do I have to be pain-free to go back towork?
No. Low back pain usually gets better after you return towork. Work can help you get better and is an important part oftreatment.
Can the pain come back after I return towork?
Yes. But this does not necessarily mean that work causes lowback pain. In many people with low back pain, the pain can come backwithin one year whether or not they change their normal activities.
Source: American FamilyPhysician. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. Powered byYellowbrix.
