What is Low Back Pain?

Low back pain is when you are not able to sit, drive, or move without pain and discomfort.  Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it hard to move.

Statistics:

One quarter (¼) of all Americans have had low back pain which has kept them from sleeping, sitting or working in the past 3 months? If you are among the millions of Americans with low back pain, the information in this resource guide is for you. Economic research has found that low back pain costs our national economy approximately 100 billion dollars each year.

About 80% to 90% of U.S. adults get low back pain at some point in their lives. Men and women are equally affected. Low back pain is more common as we get older, with people often having their first episode between ages 30 and 50.

Back pain is the most commonly reported pain condition in America. About 65 million Americans have had a recent episode of back pain, and 8% of all adults are so bothered by back pain that it limits their daily activities in some way.

Important Facts:

• Low back pain can interfere with every aspect of daily life from getting up in the morning to driving to and from work.
• Worst of all, low back pain can severely interfere with and limit sexual activity.
• Common causes of low back pain may include an injury like: trying to lift a heavy or awkward object without assistance, repetitive bending and twisting.
• Many people who suffer from back pain actually begin to hurt from sitting too much, and being sedentary.
• A simple way to test yourself for back pain would be to stand still for 5 minutes. If your back aches when you stand still then you have low back pain, and you are an excellent candidate for Physical Therapy.
• In order to get the fastest relief from low back pain consult with an expert who specializes in back pain.

Treatment Duration:  Depending on the severity and complexity of your condition it may take anywhere from 4 to 6 visits to resolve the pain issues if you see a qualified expert.

There are many type of treatment for back pain and it all depends on what kind of pain you suffering from. Acute back pain usually gets better without any treatment, but to help ease the pain you may want to take an aspirin or ibuprofen and take a short rest.

To help your low back pain, Physical Therapy interventions may cost you as little as $49 per visit, depending upon the severity of your condition. When investigating ways to help heal your low back pain, you should be wary of solutions which will require a large initial investment of time and money without a 100% cash back guarantee.

Important Information:

• Most back pain is due to muscle spasms.
• Muscles spasms are easily and quickly relieved.
• You can use revolutionary techniques such as laser treatment, soft tissue massage, and spinal manipulation to effectively manage and treat low back pain.
• Low back is the #1 reason why someone will go see their doctor.
• 9 out of 10 people suffering from low back pain found lasting relief after having their psoas muscle released.

Do’s/Don’ts:

• Do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk if you are experiencing severe low back pain
• Do not lift and twist your body at the same time.
• Do not sit for longer than 20 minutes at a time.
• Do not drive for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
• If you are having problems with going to the bathroom, it may be an indication of an emergency. You will need to consult a physician immediately.
• A simple stretch of the psoas muscle once a day can be a safe and effective means of managing your back pain.
• Don’t rely on over the counter medications like Tylenol and Advil which may provide some relief at the beginning, but later will cause damage to you liver and other complications for your body.
• If your back hurts with prolonged driving, then pull over every 20 minutes, and get out of the car to stretch and walk for 1-2 minutes.
• Stop normal activity for a day or two, this allows your symptoms and inflammation to reduce gently. Bed rest IS NOT recommended!
• Use heat or ice on your low back (which ever feels better to you) as soon as possible. One rule of thumb which might help is to use ice for the first 1-3 days to reduce any localized inflammation, followed by moist heat to help loosen up the muscle spasms which normally come with low back pain.
• Begin GENTLY stretching and moving your back to keep the muscle tissues relaxed after a day of decreased activity.

Common Myths:

Myth: “Back pain is caused by a “bad” disc.”

This is a common myth of low back pain involves advice often related by some healthcare providers.

Myth: “You must stay in bed when recovering from a back injury.”

Did you know prolonged bed rest after a back injury might actually lead to a longer recovery time?

Myth: Back pain is a mystery.  No one knows why someone can have a herniated disc and be pain free while others can have healthy discs and yet suffer from severe back pain.

Because the cause of back pain is not readily known, doctors will often recommend cortisone shots or elective surgical procedures in order to manage you back pain.