What is Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is extremely common. Almost every person will have at least one episode of low back pain at some time in his or her life. The pain can vary from severe and long term to mild and short lived. It will resolve within a few weeks for most people.

The lower back is a complex area that connects the upper body (including the chest and arms) to the lower body (including the pelvis and legs). The lower back is composed of several vertebrae, disks of soft cartilage, muscles, joints, ligaments, and nerve tissue.

The lower back provides the body with power and mobility, allowing such movements as turning, twisting or bending, as well as the strength to stand, walk, and lift. Proper functioning of the lower back is needed for almost all activities of daily living.

Symptoms of Low Back Pain

Chronic versus Acute Back Pain

Chronic back pain is commonly described as deep, aching, dull or burning pain in one area of the back or traveling down the legs. Patients may experience numbness, tingling, burning, or a pins-and-needles type sensation in the legs. Regular daily activities may prove difficult or impossible for the chronic back pain patient. They may find it difficult or unbearable to work, for example, even when the job does not require manual labor. Chronic back pain tends to last a long time, and is not relieved by standard types of medical management. It may result from a previous injury long since healed, or it may have an ongoing cause, such as nerve damage or arthritis.

Acute back pain is commonly described as a very sharp pain or a dull ache, usually felt deep in the lower part of the back, and can be more severe in one area, such as the right side, left side, center, or the lower part of the back. Acute pain can be intermittent, but is usually constant, only ranging in severity.

Sometimes, acute back pain can be caused by injury or trauma to the back, but just as often has no known cause. Patients with acute back pain, even when it's severe, will typically improve or completely recover within six to eight weeks.

Cause of Low Back Pain

Common causes of strains and sprains that can trigger acute back pain include:

• Improper lifting
• Sudden, strenuous physical effort
• Accident, sports injury or fall Sleeping position and/or pillow positioning
• Poor sitting or standing posture
• Bending forward too long
• Carrying a heavy purse, briefcase or backpack
• Stress and muscle tension
• Inactivity for long periods of time

Physical conditions that can possibly contribute to the onset of acute back pain include:

• Lack of muscle tone
• Excess weight
• Pregnancy

Doctors have many ideas about what causes low back pain, but no single explanation applies to everyone.

Prevention / Treatment of Low Back Pain

The following guidelines are for information purposes only. Seeking professional advice before beginning rehabilitation is recommended.

If you're not experiencing any of the above symptoms, there are several things you can do at home to help soothe your sore back:

Bed Rest Isn't Best. Going about your normal, everyday activities—but perhaps at a slower pace, is a good way to start the healing process. Light activity speeds recovery, so avoid lying down for long periods of time.

Hot And Cold. Heat and cold, in the form of a hot bath or hot and cold compresses, can help relieve sore and inflamed muscles and tissue. Remember—cold comes first and apply to the affected area for up to 20 minutes several times a day. Once the acute pain and muscle spasms subside (about 48 hours after the first onset of pain is recommended), you can apply heat—to loosen muscle tightness.

Support Yourself. If you must sit or stand for long periods of time, consider using a brace or corset. Worn properly, they can relieve pain and provide warmth, comfort and support. But, don't rely on this type of external support too long—allowing it to perform your muscles' job will eventually weaken them, making re-injury easier.

If your back pain hasn't improved noticeably after 72 hours of self-care, contact your health care provider.

To prevent re-injury of your back—and hopefully avoid any recurrence of acute back pain—it's important to build and maintain the strength and flexibility of those muscles, tendons and ligaments that support your back and spine.

Massage Therapy

With the application of injury specific massage, follow-up treatment, and prevention practices, these patients typically return to full functionality in a few weeks.

The therapists at Advanced Alternatives Massage Therapy have specialized training in Myofascial Release Techniques and Trigger Point Therapy and have a track record for relieving symptoms of most low back pain disorders.

Sources:

1. http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/massage-therapy/massage-therapy-lower-back-pain
2. http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/lowback/backmusclestrain.htm