Treatment of lower back pain

[ami9167]

The most important immediate step following an attack of acute back pain is to take complete bed-rest.Most backaches are due to muscle spasm resulting out of strains, sprains or tears, which, like a sprained ankle, need a period of rest followed by a period of rehabilitation and gradual mobilization. Bed-rest is truly treatment and not an idle or helpless 'giving-way' to things.

Bed rest literally means 'resting by lying in the bed. It does not mean sitting around the house watching T.V.-- that would be silly, indeed. But deciding to take bed-rest is not enough. Knowing how to lie down correctly, so that the injured muscles or ligaments get true rest, is vitally important. We have said earlier that the 'balanced pelvis' position is the position of health and strength for the back. It is also the position that is conducive to quick pain-relief and healing.

[admin]

All the information that I've seen DOES NOT RECOMMEND bed rest. In fact completely the opposite, it recommends moving around.

Bed Rest used to be recommended in the past, but the latest thinking has discredited this.

[Leeann]

Sitting and standing are terrible for the back injured patient. Either lying down or walking are best. What is ideal is using ice for 20 minutes every 2 hours ~ I was taught this by a Neurosurgeon. This reduces the swelling and numbs the pain.

Too often people use a heating pad! Nothing could be WORSE for the back! It doesn't matter if it's an acute injury or chronic pain. Heat draws blood to the heated area and causes MORE swelling to an already swollen area. Plus the area is inflamed, and heat will encourage inflammation. Ice reduces inflammation plus reduces swelling and numbs the pain. If continued on the schedule above for a few days, an acute injury should be gone ~ and chronic pain should be reduced to a more manageable level, along with proper medication.

[djcoyle]

Uncomfortable mattresses might give you back pain problem and therefore it is important that you must buy branded mattresses. In any case if you are suffering from back pain problem from long time Chiropractor Dacula GA will help you get rid from back pain problem.

[Leeann]

I'm afraid I have to disagree about Chiropractors. I've had 2 different Neurosurgeons tell me that going to a Chiro could put you in danger of paralysis and or ending up in a wheelchair. They both said that Chiros are NOT treated extensively in the central nervous system like M.D.s are and one wrong twist, push, pull could seriously damage a patient.

Before I was diagnosed, or went to any neuro, I was in alot of pain and went to a chiro = and he promptly broke my STERNUM. He compensated me by offering me a FREE VISIT. Obviously I never went back.

So spinal patients should be very careful about going to Chiropractors.

Thanks,
Leeann

[admin]

Hi djcoyle, have you had experience with the Chiropractor you are recommending? If so please post details of the treatments and there effect. Please also add the type of back pain you were/are suffering from - this will greatly help other visiting this forum.

Thanks

[pauljackson]

Ya i have been to a chiropractor he first step is assessing your body to find the cause of your problem with a thorough examination including physical, orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic tests.Posture Exercise designed for your body to retrain poor patterns of body motion.In general it is safe when employed skillfully and appropriately.you should consult an expert.

[Leeann]

Paul ~ Your posts always end with the tag "Chiropractor Lawrenceville Ga." Are YOU the chiropractor in Lawrenceville??? Why do you always have this at the end of your posts?? If you ARE the chiro, why not just SAY so? This is confusing to the rest of us when you post about Chiro's.

Please let us know. Thanks. Leeann

[eve4094]

I don't know where that thinking comes from but certainely not from peoples who had herniated disc! In fact what is good to relieve the pain,sciatica and helping healing it is not laying down all day long day after day (it is even impossible more than 3 hours at pain peaks periods) but alterning whatever position giving a break to the back as sitting, laying and walking (standing at the same place is harder than walking). Painkillers smooth the pain but they also smooth the brain. So when you need concentration at your work, it is hard to perform and can even be dangourous for some to take painkillers and work at the same time. I observed in the last years that more and more people in car are crossing stop sign and red light and don't even seem to have noticed it! Being strict with alchool and drugs driving but what about legal drugs that alterate the concentration????

I don't even talk about the tiredness of keeping doing your essential activities (working, homekeeping etc.) with that steady pain and limitations. So to rest is certainely not a bad thing.

From my experience rest and laying down is good when the pain is at its peak and at long term one's should have the opportunity to alternate positions, laying down is in fact difficult to be perform at one's job. I have a little camping mattress at my job and during diner time I use it when needed. Makes my co-workers happy to make fun at me! Like them anyway…..

I have problems with my back, hips and left sciatica since 2006 (L5-S1 herniated disc). I have been working at work's injuries insurances governmental organism before I had this herniated disc and when I had it, I was so proud of me to had been emphathic and comprehensive with the persons who had that kind of injury in not assuming that they were faking and have to kick their a...... to move on! One's body often indicates what is good or not.

[lowerbackpainfix]

While a short bout of bed rest (1-2 days at most) may be indicated immediately at the onset of a severe and acute back pain episode, the current research along with clinical evidence/experience strongly favours a more active approach. The old prescription of long duration bed rest only increased the level of disability, pain and secondary issues (e.g. muscles wasting, loss of fitness/strength) for the poor back pain sufferer! The current approach would include continuing with all activities as able, so long as those activities aren't increasing risk of further pain/dysfunction. One of the more appropriate activities would include walking (as tolerated and depending on the type of injury; e.g. disc injury may tolerate a faster paced walk with greater arm swings, while stenosis based back pain may do better with uphill walking).