Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain

What is low back pain?

There are three types of low back pain: acute, subacute, and chronic. Fortunately, back pain improves or goes away with the proper care and therapy.

What are the risk factors for low back pain?

• Sedentary lifestyle
• Poor physical activity
• Obesity
• Smoking and drinking
• Pregnancy
  
  

What is etiology?

• Strains and sprains
• Herniated discs
• Disc degeneration
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoporosis
• Infection in spine
• Abnormal shape of the spine
• Inflammatory back pain
• Sacroiliac joint pain
• Posture-related back pain, such as bending, standing, or sitting
  
  

How is low back pain diagnosed?

• Complete medical and physical history.
• Blood test to rule out inflammatory markers, infection, cancer, or/and arthritis
• Bone scan to detect and monitor fractures, bone disorders, and infection
• A diagnostic imaging procedure, such as an MRI, may be needed if a problem is observed with the bone (vertebrae), soft tissue (spinal cord), nerves, and/or discs.
• X-ray to rule out abnormalities in the low back such as wearing of cartilages and bones; and narrowing of vertebrae
• Computerized Tomography (CT) helios to rule out any soft tissue injuries such as disc rupture, spinal stenosis, or tumors
  
  

What are the treatment options for low back pain?

Step 1

• Self-care management
• Hot and cold packs
• Exercise to strengthen the core or abdominal muscles
• Re-integration of everyday activities as soon as possible to ease pain and avoidance of strict bed rest

Step 2

Alternative techniques

• TENS is a wearable, battery-operated medical device that uses electrodes on the skin over the painful area to produce electrical impulses intended to reduce or alter the experience of pain.
• Physical therapy supports the low back, enhances flexibility and mobility, and encourages appropriate posture. It is frequently combined with other interventions.
• Using hands to move, adjust, massage, or stimulate the spine and surrounding tissues is known as spinal manipulation or spinal mobilization. Manipulation involves a swift action that the person receiving the treatment has little control over. Mobilization entails more deliberate adjustments.
  
  

Step 3

Injections

• Trigger point injections include PRP, local anesthetic, and/or corticosteroid drug into the trigger point(s) to lessen or relieve pain.
• Peptide injections help diminish degenerative processes in the early stages of the lumbar disease and relieve pain.
• Epidural steroid injections into the lumbar area of the back are given to treat low back pain and sciatica associated with inflammation.