1. Oh, My Aching Back
Chronic lower-back pain is pain that lasts longer than 3 months. Chronic back pain is a long-term condition that may last for years. Acute back pain is a sudden incidence of pain and is usually due to an injury. Some patients who experience acute back pain may continue to experience back pain for several months. If the pain continues after the initial injury has healed, the pain may become chronic. Back pain is the most common cause of job-related disability and contributes to many missed days of work.
2. Is the Old Injury Back?
Old injuries and arthritis are common causes of low back pain. Degenerative disc disease can cause chronic lower-back pain from a damaged disc. A ruptured disc, also known as a herniated or slipped disc is also a common cause of chronic lower-back pain. Osteoporosis and damage to adjacent nerves can cause lower-back pain as well. Spinal stenosis is a condition where the spinal nerves become compressed by a narrowing of the spinal canal, and those compressed nerves cause lower-back pain.
3. Oh, Baby
Several factors can affect or worsen low back pain, many of which you can control. If you're overweight, lose weight. Excess weight on the spine adds a great deal of stress and increases pain. Poor posture, lack of exercise, smoking and stress can also be a contributing factor to lower-back pain. Pregnancy and sleeping in a poor position are common causes of lower-back pain for women.
4. Back On--Apply Directly to the Back
Chronic back pain is normally treated with anti-inflammatory medications or NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to relieve inflammation. When inflammation is reduced, pain is reduced. Most people with chronic lower-back pain use over-the-counter NSAID's to alleviate the pain. During a flare-up or if the pain worsens, prescription NSAIDs or analgesics are used quite successfully. Pain medication containing narcotics are seldom prescribed for chronic lower-back pain; narcotics become addictive and lose their effectiveness if taken for a long period of time. Applications of hot or cold, massages and muscle rubs also help relieve pain. Pain patches are available to be placed directly over the painful area. Chiropractic care and acupuncture have also helped many with chronic lower-back pain. Localized injections to block nerve pain and TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation) units have been successful treatments for some lower-back pain sufferers. Depending on the cause of your low back pain, the doctor may recommend surgery. Surgery is not common and is usually done if the patient gets no relief from any other treatments.
5. Back to Living
Staying flexible and strengthening the back are the best ways to live with chronic lower-back pain. Rest frequently when experiencing more pain but always move. Lack of movement causes more pain and more pain causes lack of movement; it can become a vicious cycle. Take medications before exercise to move without pain.
