Lower back pain is number one condition in musculo-skeletal problems. It is a degenerative condition in intervertebral discs resulting in decreased disc amortization and compression of the nerve. In a lot of cases pain is related to disc herniation. As many as 8 of 10 Americans will experience lower back problems in their lives. On any given day, over 6.5 million Americans are under some sort of treatment for low back pain. Low back pain is one of the most common ailments in the U.S., and it is preceded only by colds and the flu for time lost from work.

Lower Back Pain Treatment

Nonpharmacologic treatment - weight loss, decrease or avoidance any weight-bearing work or exercises. Special exercises and stretchening while working.

In case of disc herniation – bed rest for 3 weeks.

Drug treatment: symptomatic use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in acute phase of the disease.

Surgery might be beneficial in rare cases, which are tolerable to other treatment modalities. But surgery might give a patient only symptomatic relief.

Physical Therapy for Lower Back Pain

The goal of physical therapy is reduction of symptoms of acute or chronic lower back pain as well as slowing down or stopping degenerative process in vertebral discs.

Acute Back Pain phase:

1. Manual therapy to relief muscle spasm in lumbar area 12-15 minutes every day for 10 days.
2. High frequency magnetic therapy 9-12 minutes every day for 10 sessions. In case of sciatica – the field of magnetic therapy extend to the buttock and posterior surface of the thigh on the affected side.
3. Electrical stimulation 6-8 minutes every day for 10 days.

Chronic Back Pain phase:

1. Massage 15 minutes every day or every other day for 12-15 times.
2. Manual therapy along with exercises for lumbosacral area 10-15 minutes every day or every other day for 12-15 times.
3. Vibration to the muscles of the lumbar spine 6 minutes 8-10 days. In case of sciatica extend to the way of sciatic nerve (buttock and posterior thigh).
4. Ultrasound for 5-7 minutes. Every other day 6-9 times.
5. Low frequency magnetic therapy 12-15 minutes every day for 10-15 sessions. In case of sciatica – the filed of magnetic therapy extend to the buttock and posterior surface of the thigh on the affected side.
6. Electrical stimulation 6-8 minutes every day or every other day for 10 days.

More on Lower Back Pain...

Lower Back Pain Symptoms

Those most often affected are young adults in their most productive years, between the ages of 17 and 45.

  • Pain may localize in lumbar spine area or irradiate via sciatic nerve way to the buttock and posterior thigh.
  • Pain, can range from a dull, annoying ache in chronic phase to absolute agony in acute stage and disc herniation.
  • Pain becoming worse during the day and after weigh-lifting work and get a little relief after rest with muscle relaxation. In acute lower back pain and in most cases of chronic just relaxation is not usually enough.
  • Local pain in lumbar and increasing local temperature while touching during the acute phase.
  • Muscles spasm in lumbar area
  • Decreased range of motion
  • Relief in the morning

The peak incidence is at the age 45-46 and usually occurs at the level L4-5 or L5-S1. It starts with sudden onset of pain precipitated by forced movement. The pain is extremely severe with irradiation down the leg (some people describe like “electrical shock that shoots down the leg”). The pain exacerbating by coughing, sneezing or defecating. To avoid pain, people keep the affected leg flexed (extension results in excruciating pain).

 

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