of the back. These soft tissues support the back and help hold it together.
What causes low back pain? " ” In most cases, doctors and nurses do not know what causes low back pain. Pain can happen if you strain a muscle or hurt a tendon or ligament. But if that is the cause of your pain, doctors and nurses have no way of knowing it for sure. Pain can also happen if you have: ‚
- Damaged, bulging, or torn discs
- Arthritis affecting the joints of the spine
- Bony growths on the vertebrae that crowd nearby nerves
- A vertebra out of place
- Narrowing in the spinal canal
- A tumor or infection (but this is very rare)
Should I get an imaging test, like an MRI? " ” Most people do not need an imaging test. Most cases of back pain go away within 4 to 6 weeks " ” or in even less time. Doctors and nurses usually do not order imaging tests before then unless there are signs of something unusual. ‚
If your doctor or nurse does not order an imaging test, do not worry. He or she can still learn a lot about your pain just from looking you over and talking with you. Plus, treatment can start right away, even without an imaging test. ‚
How can the doctor or nurse tell what is wrong just by talking to me? " ” Your symptoms tell your doctor or nurse a lot about the cause of your pain. If your pain spreads down the back of 1 thigh, for instance, that could be a sign that 1 of the nerves that go to your leg is being pinched by a bulging or torn disc. If, on the other hand, your pain goes all the way down both legs, that could be a sign that you have bony growths on your spine. ‚
What can I do to feel better? " ” The best thing you can do is to stay as active as possible " “ even if you are in pain. People with low back pain recover faster if they stay active. Walk as much as you can. If you stopped working because of your pain, try to get back to your normal routine soon. But do not overdo it. ‚
When you start to feel better, ask your doctor or nurse about exercises that can help strengthen your back. These exercises can help you get better faster and might make it less likely that you will have pain again. ‚
How is back pain treated? " ” A small number of people end up needing surgery to treat back pain. But most people do well with simpler treatments, such as: ‚
- Pain medicines that you can get without a prescription. If these do not work, doctors and nurses can prescribe stronger pain medicines.
- Medicines to relax the muscles (called muscle relaxants). But keep in mind that muscle relaxants are not generally used in people older than 65. In older people, these medicines can cause side effects such as trouble urinating or confusion.
- Injections of medicines that numb the back or reduce swelling
- Physical therapy to teach you special exercises and stretches
- Spinal manipulation, which is when someone like a physical therapist or a chiropractor moves or "adjusts the joints of your back
- Acupuncture, which is when someone who knows traditional Chinese medicine inserts tiny needles into your body to block pain signals
- Massage
What can I do to keep from getting back pain again? " ” Stay active and learn exercises that help strengthen and stretch your back. Learn to lift using your legs instead of your back. And avoid sitting or standing in the same position for too long. ‚
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. ‚
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. ‚
Topic 15460 Version 8.0 ‚
Release: 22.8 - C22.208 ‚
‚ © 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. ‚
figure 1
Anatomy of the back
Low back pain can be caused by problems with the muscles, ligaments, discs, bones (vertebrae), or nerves. Often back pain is caused by strains or sprains involving the muscles or ligaments. These problems cannot always be seen on imaging tests, such as MRIs or CAT scans.
Graphic 56246 Version 3.0
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Anatomy of the back
Low back pain can be caused by problems with the muscles, ligaments, discs, bones (vertebrae), or nerves. Often back pain is caused by strains or sprains involving the muscles or ligaments. These problems cannot always be seen on imaging tests, such as MRIs or CAT scans.
Graphic 56246 Version 3.0
View Original
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‚ © 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. ‚