Lower Back Pain Q & A

What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain can be due to an acute injury or continual strain on the back, or it may be due to problems with the spine. Typical causes of lower back pain include:

• Overdoing physical exertion
• Falling over or falling off something
• Having poor posture
• Repeating the same movements continually
• Moving suddenly or awkwardly
• Using unsafe lifting techniques
• Herniated spinal discs
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis (brittle bones)
• Scoliosis (curved spine)

Acute lower back injuries result in immediate pain and often an inability to move freely, whereas chronic lower back pain develops more slowly, or as a consequence of an acute injury not receiving appropriate treatment.

Lower back pain may last for months and sometimes years, causing reduced mobility and discomfort that can severely impact your work and home life.

What can I do to avoid lower back pain?

Leading a healthy, active life and maintaining the correct posture are essential in preserving the health of your back.

You should also think about how you lift, and indeed whether you need to lift something heavy or awkward at all.

Keeping active and building up strength in your core muscles help you lift correctly.

What treatments are available for lower back pain?

Treating mild back pain involves applying gentle heat to your back, stretching and exercising gently, and avoiding anything that aggravates the pain. Don’t be tempted to stay in bed, as it’s now known that remaining active is more beneficial, as long as you don’t overdo it.

It’s a good idea to find out what’s causing your lower back pain by visiting Camelback Spine Care before your condition gets any worse, so you can be sure you’re getting the right treatment.

The treatment our doctors recommend for your lower back pain depends on the cause. Pain medications and anti-inflammatory drugs can help with pain and inflammation, or you may need an epidural steroid injection.

There’s also a range of physical therapies that could be helpful, such as:

• Heat treatments
• Ice or cold therapies
• Therapeutic massage
• Ultrasound therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP)
• Stretching
• Weight lifting
• Cardiovascular exercises
• Back braces
• Manipulation therapies
• Pilates or yoga

Surgery for lower back pain may be an option if you’ve been receiving conservative treatments for at least six months with no improvement. The surgeons discuss the options with you, which may include spinal fusion or disc replacement.

If lower back pain is affecting your life, call Camelback Spine Care today to schedule a consultation, or book an appointment online.