Lower back pain affects people from all walks of life, from bodybuilders to office workers. If we’re not careful, the stress our backs endure from carrying weight can lead to strains and other painful issues.
With so many treatment options, finding the best one can help relieve pain and allow you to return to your daily activities easily.
We will uncover proven treatments and practical solutions that can bring you closer to lasting relief and better health.
What Is Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain refers to discomfort or pain in the area between the lowest ribs and the tailbone, affecting a person’s ability to move freely and often limiting day-to-day activities.
It can range from a mild ache to a sharp, debilitating pain. Lower back pain may arise from various problems, but the most common causes include:
- Muscle strain: Overstretching or tearing of the muscles due to sudden movements, heavy lifting, or improper posture.
- Herniated discs: When the cushioning discs between vertebrae slip out of place, they can press on nearby nerves, causing significant pain.
- Arthritis: Conditions like osteoarthritis lead to inflammation and wear-and-tear of the spinal joints, contributing to stiffness and pain.
Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can show up in various forms, and recognizing specific symptoms can help in identifying the cause and best treatment methods. Common symptoms include:
- Limited mobility: Pain restricts basic movements, such as bending or standing, making daily activities difficult.
- Radiating pain down the legs: Known as sciatica, this occurs when pain extends from the lower back down through the hips and legs, usually due to nerve compression.
For some, symptoms are manageable and fade with rest, but severe symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs may indicate nerve involvement.
Types of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can vary not only in intensity but also in duration and origin. Identifying these differences is essential for finding effective treatment. There are two primary categories:
- Acute pain: This type of pain usually comes on suddenly and lasts for a short period (usually a few days to a few weeks). Acute pain is often due to a specific event, like a strain or minor injury, and typically improves with rest and conservative treatment.
- Chronic pain: Defined as pain that persists for 12 weeks or longer, chronic lower back pain may develop from unresolved acute pain or arise from long-term conditions like arthritis. It requires a more sustained approach to management.
Diagnosing Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain has various potential sources; a thorough evaluation by a healthcare provider helps identify the exact cause. Here’s a look at each step in the diagnostic process.
Medical and Family History
Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your medical history, family health issues, lifestyle habits, and how pain affects your daily life. These questions give insights into potential factors that could be contributing to chronic back pain.
Typical questions include:
- Pain rating: Patients are often asked to rate their pain on a scale from 1 to 10. This helps the provider understand the intensity of pain and how it might be impacting daily activities.
- Daily activity impact: Questions about physical activity, posture habits, occupation, and any recent physical exertions or injuries provide context for understanding possible pain triggers.
Physical Examination
Imaging and lab tests are important when physical exam and history alone do not provide a clear diagnosis. These tests can help confirm specific conditions, evaluate the severity of injuries, and rule out other health issues.
- X-rays: X-rays provide the most basic imaging view of your spine, showing bone alignment, potential fractures, or any deformities. While they don’t show soft tissues, they’re helpful in assessing structural integrity.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): MRIs are effective for examining soft tissues, such as discs, muscles, and nerves. They help detect conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or nerve compression, which are common causes of radiating pain.
- CT Scans (Computed Tomography): CT scans offer detailed cross-sectional images of bones and surrounding tissues, often used if an MRI is not suitable or additional detail is required.
Non-surgical Treatment Options for Lower Back Pain Relief
When it comes to treating lower back pain, a variety of options exist, nonsurgical treatments offers a minimally invasive approach that most people prefer for its perceived safety.
Pain Management With Medications
Medication can be an effective tool for managing lower back pain, especially when combined with other therapies. Options include:
- (OTC) Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as pain relievers like ibuprofen and paracetamol, can reduce inflammation and pain.
- Prescription drugs: For more severe cases, doctors may prescribe stronger NSAIDs, opioid medications, or muscle relaxants.
Physical Therapy for Chronic Back Pain
Physical therapy often includes core-strengthening exercises to reduce back strain, increases blood flow to prevent flare-ups, and targeted exercises to build resilience, helping patients reduce pain and reliance on medication.
For those dealing with chronic back pain, physical therapy offers a proactive approach to regain function and reduce reliance on medication.
Spinal Manipulation to Relieve Pain
Performed by licensed Chiropractors, spinal manipulation can provide back pain relief by improving alignment and mobility.
Using quick thrusts, gentle joint mobilization, and soft tissue therapy (like massage and stretching) to reduce pressure and ease pain in muscles and nerves.
Nerve Stimulation Therapies
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and similar therapies, such as Nerve Ablations, stimulate the nerves around painful areas, potentially reducing pain signals. Research shows that TENS can be beneficial for those with chronic lower back pain.
Acupuncture
This ancient practice that originated from China, involves inserting special needles at specific points on the body usually at the veins, thus promoting better blood circulation and eventually pain relief.
Acupuncture is recognized as a complementary therapy for lower back pain, with many patients finding it helpful alongside other treatments.
Lifestyle Changes to Support Back Health
Gentle Exercise such as walking and yoga strengthens muscles around the spine and enhances flexibility, making it easier to carry out daily activities without much discomfort.
The diet also plays an important role. eating foods rich in anti inflammatory agents such as fibers and polyphenols, found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains, can help reduce pain and prevent inflammation.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Alternating between hot and cold therapy is a simple and effective way to manage lower back pain at home.
- Cold therapy: Apply an ice pack to numb pain and reduce swelling, especially within the first 24-48 hours after pain onset. Use for 15-20 minutes every few hours.
- Heat therapy: For ongoing discomfort, use a warm towel, heating pad, or warm bath to relax tense muscles and improve blood flow. Apply for 15-20 minutes to enhance comfort and aid healing.
Trigger Point Injections
This treatment involves injecting a small amount of anesthetic or corticosteroid directly into painful muscle knots, or “trigger points.” Trigger point injections can relieve pain, release tension, and improve mobility for those with muscle-related lower back pain.
Medial Branch Blocks
These injections target the medial branch nerves that carry pain signals from the spinal joints to the brain.
By numbing these nerves, medial branch blocks can reduce or eliminate pain, particularly for those suffering from arthritis in the lower back.
Relaxation Techniques
Pain often leads to stress, which can make pain symptoms worse. Simple relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help relieve stress in your back and stomach muscles, improving how you feel overall.
Practicing relaxation regularly can help manage stress-related tension that might contribute to lower back pain.
Common Surgeries for Lower Back Pain
Surgery is usually a last resort for treating lower back pain and is recommended only when conservative methods have failed. Common surgeries for lower back pain include:
- Discectomy: This procedure removes the damaged part of a herniated disc that may be pressing on a nerve. Discectomy can relieve pain and improve mobility by reducing nerve irritation.
- Laminectomy: Often used to treat spinal stenosis, laminectomy involves removing a portion of the vertebra to create more space for the spinal cord and nerves, alleviating pressure that causes pain.
- Spinal fusion: In this surgery, two or more vertebrae are fused to prevent movement between them. This procedure is usually performed to stabilize the spine and reduce pain caused by conditions like spondylolisthesis or severe degenerative disc disease.
Let Our Team of Specialist Help Treat Your Lower Back Pain
At Wellness and Pain, we offer the most advanced and minimally invasive treatment options for lower back pain.Â
Our alternative treatments are specially tailored to reduce pain, minimize risk factors, improve mobility, and support long-term wellness.
With our team of physical therapists and our world-renowned multidisciplinary approach, we address the root causes of pain to help you regain your quality of life.
Contact us at (844)-588-3732 or fill out this form to learn more about our services.
FAQs About Lower Back Pain Treatment
How long does it take for lower back pain to improve?
Acute lower back pain may improve in days to weeks with rest and gentle movement. Chronic pain may take longer and often needs ongoing treatment.
Can lower back pain be a sign of something serious?
Yes, if pain is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder control, it could indicate a serious issue. Seek medical attention if these symptoms arise.
Are there specific sleep positions that help relieve lower back pain?
Yes, sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your knees helps keep the spine aligned and reduces pain.
What are the best exercises to strengthen my lower back?
Core-strengthening exercises (like planks, bridges) and low-impact activities (like swimming) are effective. Consult a physical therapist for guidance.
