Lower back pain facts

1)      Back discomfort is common and is usually not associated with a serious disease or problem

2)      Very few people with backache have a "slipped disc" or "pinched nerve".  Even if this is the cause of your pain, 90% of people experience spontaneous relief of their symptoms within six to twelve weeks.

3)      In the past rest was considered the best way to treat an acute back injury, however we now know that bed rest for more than one or two days, actually delays recovery and retards progress.

4)      Pain experienced during an exercise may indicate you are performing the exercise incorrectly or that the exercise is not suited to you.  In this case seek advice from your physiotherapist or local doctor.

5)      Up to 7% of people with acute back pain will develop chronic back pain. These chronic patients have considerable discomfort and account for approximately 80% of the social and health care cost

6)      Lower back bears the bulk of your body's weight. That's why it's the most usual spot in the back to hurt.

7)      There are two types of low back pain -- chronic and acute. Chronic back pain lasts longer than three months. It might be the result of more than one event or activity. Medical conditions and injuries can lead to chronic low back pain. Your weight, health, and daily habits can contribute to chronic back pain, too.  On the other hand, acute back pain happens suddenly and lasts a short time. It can be caused by falls, sports injuries, or car or household accidents.

8)      Work can be a pain in the neck and, it turns out, the back.  Desk jobs can hurt, too. If your chair is not supportive or you slouch, your back may pay the price. Standing for long periods on cement floors can also cause discomfort.

9)      College students toting heavy backpacks have reported back pain. Even carrying an overloaded purse can hurt. If you regularly carry a backpack, wear it over both shoulders to keep the weight evenly distributed across your back. If you carry a large, heavy purse or tote bag, switch shoulders (or the hand you carry it in). If possible, place the strap across the opposite shoulder to distribute weight more evenly. Or consider a wheeled bag that you can roll on the ground.

10)   Age, slouching, obesity, and a lack of exercise put you at risk for low back pain. Back pain becomes more common as we age, but we can steer clear of other risk factors

11)   If you have tingling, numbness, or a lot of pain in your lower back, see your doctor. He or she will take your medical history, examine you, and possibly run tests. These may include X-rays, imaging scans, or blood tests.

12)   Often acute back pain improves on its own. Exercise or physical therapy might improve recovery from chronic back pain by strengthening your back and abdominal muscles. But check with your doctor first. Depending on your health and physical condition, some exercises and medications may not be advisable. Ice packs or heating pads may also help ease pain.

13)   Chronic back pain can sometimes be treated with injections of an anesthetic or steroid if other methods haven't worked. These injections can help curb pain from affected nerves or spinal joints. But they may not offer relief for everyone. In some people, long-term use of injections may make the back pain worse over time.

14)   Surgery is usually an option only if other treatments haven't worked. Is your low back pain constant? Or does it come back often and disrupt your sleep, work, or everyday tasks? If so, talk with your doctor. Having sciatica and chronic low back pain may require an operation. Emergency back surgery may be necessary when the patient has cauda equina syndrome, a rare condition in which nerves are

compressed, or other conditions from which paralysis may result.

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15)   Ask your doctor about alternative treatments for low back pain.Would you believe one is at least 4,000 years old? It's acupuncture. In spinal manipulation,a doctor or chiropractor adjusts your spine with his or her hands. Massage therapy may also help.