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LOWER BACK PAIN
Low
back
pain
can
affect
the
back
anywhere
below
the
ribs
and
above
the
legs.
The
lower
back
is
the
connection
between
the
upper
and
lower
body,
and
it
bears
most
of
the
body’s
weight.
Because
of
these
roles,
it
is
easily
injured
when
you lift, reach, or twist.
Almost
everyone
has
low
back
pain
at
one
time
or
another.
The
good
news
is
that
most
low
back
pain
will
go
away
in
a
few
weeks
with
some
basic
self-care.
But
if
your
pain
is
severe
or lasts more than a couple of weeks, see your doctor.
Low
back
pain
is
often
caused
by
overuse,
strain,
or
injury.
For
instance,
people
often
hurt
their
backs
playing
sports
or
working in the garden, or lifting something too heavy.
Aging
plays
a
part
too.
Your
bones
and
muscles
tend
to
lose
strength
as
you
age,
which
increases
your
risk
of
injury.
The
spongy
discs
between
the
bones
of
the
spine
(vertebrae)
may
suffer
from
wear
and
tear
and
no
longer
provide
enough
cushion
between
the
bones.
A
disc
that
bulges
or
breaks
open (herniated disc) can press on nerves, causing back pain.
In
some
people,
low
back
pain
is
the
result
of
arthritis,
broken
vertebrae
(compression
fractures)
caused
by
bone
loss
(osteoporosis),
illness,
or
a
spine
problem
you
were
born
with.
Often
doctors
don't
really
know
what
causes
low
back
pain.
But
it
is
more
likely
to
become
long-lasting
(chronic)
if
you
are
under stress or depressed.
To help keep your back healthy and avoid further pain:
•
Be dull, burning, or sharp.
•
Be felt at a single point or over a broad area.
•
Come on gradually or suddenly.
•
Occur with muscle spasms or stiffness.
•
Cause
leg
symptoms,
such
as
pain,
numbness,
or
tingling,
often
extending
below
the
knee.
These
symptoms
can
occur
on
their
own
or
along
with
low
back
pain.
Leg
symptoms
are
often
caused
by
lower
spine
problems
that
place
pressure
on
a
nerve
that
leads to the leg.
Having
ongoing
back
pain
can
make
you
depressed.
In
turn,
depression
can
have
an
effect
on
your
level
of
pain
and
whether your back gets better.
Only
a
few
people
with
low
back
pain
need
surgery.
Surgery
may
help
if
you
have
a
herniated
disc
or
back
pain
along
with
symptoms
of
nerve
damage,
such
as
numbness
in
your
legs.
Even
in
these
cases,
most
people
will
improve
without
surgery.
Having
surgery
does
not
guarantee
that
all
your
pain
will
go
away.
Before
you
have
surgery,
it
is
a
good
idea
to
get
a second opinion.
After
the
first
time
you
have
had
low
back
pain,
you
are
likely
to
have
it
again.
To
help
keep
your
back
healthy
and avoid further pain:
•
Practice good posture when you sit, stand, and walk.
•
Get
regular,
low-impact
exercise.
Walk,
swim,
or
ride
a
stationary bike. Stretch before you exercise.
•
Wear low-heeled shoes with good support.
•
Sleep
on
your
side.
A
medium-firm
mattress
may
put
the
least stress on your back.
•
Watch
your
weight.
Being
too
heavy,
especially
around
your waist, puts extra stress on your back.
•
Don't
try
to
lift
things
that
are
too
heavy
for
you.
When
you
must
lift,
bend
your
knees
and
keep
your
back
straight,
keep
the
object
you
are
lifting
close
to
your
belly
button,
and
avoid
lifting
and
twisting
at
the
same
time.
If you sit or stand for long periods at work:
•
Pay
attention
to
your
posture.
Sit
or
stand
up
straight,
with your shoulders back.
•
Make sure your chair has good back support.
•
Take regular breaks to walk around.
If your work involves a lot of bending, reaching, or lifting:
•
Talk
to
your
human
resources
department
to
see
if
there
are other ways you can do your work.
•
Don't
depend
on
a
"back
belt"
to
protect
your
back.
Studies
have
not
shown
these
belts
to
be
effective
in
reducing
back
injuries.
The
most
they
can
do
is
to
help
remind you to use good techniques for lifting.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Below
you
can
find
PDF
documentation
outlining
different areas of Osteopathy and how we can help you: