Lower Back Pain Management

Lower back pain is very common among elderly people and not so common among other age groups.  It is very fortunate that, the lower back pain subsides within a short span, with or without any treatment.  Lower back pain occurs when the lumbar region of the back experiences considerable stress if a person lifts or twists making the region sprain easily.  The pain caused by the lower back pain makes every movement stressful and painful making the sufferer hard to work during such period.  Rest is the best medicine for lower back pain.

Symptoms of lower back pain:

Pain or tenderness on movement is experienced within a short period after a muscle tear or an injury to the lower back.  This includes strain, sprain of the ligaments or muscles and usually experienced after heavy objects are lifted.  In the case of lumbar disk slips too the same kind of symptoms are seen but is more severe.  People suffering from lower back pain experience painful spasms, even the act of coughing or sneezing too can aggravate the pain.  In the case of sciatica, the pain spreads from the lower back to the buttock and down the leg. 

Dangers of lower back pain:

Dangers related to lower back pain are very rate, but some times when a symptom is untreated for long can be dangerous.  One such is the untreated disk pressing the spinal cord, if left unnoticed and untreated might even lead to paralysis.  Also infection of the spinal vertebrae if untreated may lead to cancer.  Such conditions are although very rare in occurrence.

Causes of lower back pain:

It might be due to the muscle injury, or might be due to the stress of incorrect bending or lifting excess weight.  It is characterized by stiffness and pain and subsides within a day or too, although some might even last longer.  Certain recurrent lower back pain might be due to the inflammation caused by osteoporosis, which is condition due to the degeneration of the backbone joint caused by wear and tear.  A prolapsed or skipped disc might also cause discomfort in the lower back.  Lower back pain can also be experienced due to the tipping of the uterus during childbirth.  Kidney infections can also cause lower back pain.

Treatment for lower back pain:

Mostly very minimal treatment is enough to treat the lower back pain.  An infrared lamp or heat pack can relax the muscles.  A massage or application of liniment on the  pain area soothes the muscles.  Unless the condition is worse due to infections, slipped disc etc, the recovery period is one or two days time.