Back Pain - Prevention, Treatment, Exercises & More

Diagnosis of Back Pain

Medcare doctors will diagnose the causes of back pain after a discussion of symptoms & a physical examination. Further tests & possibly an imaging scan may be needed if:

• An injury has caused your back pain.
• Doctors suspect an underlying cause.
• You have been suffering pain for a long time.

Doctors can use X-Rays, MRI or CT scans to investigate further.

• An X-ray can display alignment of bones or reveal fractures, but it may struggle to show up damage to the nerves, muscles, discs or spinal cord.
• Issues with herniated discs can be revealed by an MRI or CT scan – as can some troubles with muscles, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons & tissue.
• When osteoporosis is suspected, bone scans can be used to see if there are any signs of tumours or fractures.

Nerve compression as a result of spinal stenosis or a herniated disc can be identified with the help of EMG or electromyography, which measures electrical impulses from nerves in response to muscles. When infection is a possibility, your doctor can request a blood test.

Other Types of Diagnosis

A chiropractor can diagnose your back problems through touch, palpation, & visual examination. Visual inspection & palpation help an osteopath make a diagnosis. Soft tissue & joint pain will be assessed & treated on evaluation by a physical therapist.

Treatment of Back Pain

While rest can often alleviate back pain, medical treatment is sometimes required.

Medical Treatment: Our doctors may prescribe medication, or they may feel physical therapy is required. A combination of both treatments can also be given.

• Medication: Back pain that does not respond to over-the-counter painkillers may require a prescription. Codeine or hydrocodone may be prescribed for short periods. Muscle relaxants help some patients.
• Physical therapy: Pain can be lessened with techniques such as heat application, ice treatments, electrical stimulation & ultrasound.
• Cortisone injections:  Swelling around nerve roots can cause pain, & this can be reduced with cortisone injections - anti-inflammatory drugs injected around the spinal cord into the epidural space.
• Traction: A herniated disc can be moved back into position using weights & pulleys to stretch the back. Traction like this helps ease pain when it is applied.

Complementary Therapies: It is possible to have other therapies alongside conventional medical & physical treatments.  These are known as complementary therapies. Back pain in some people can be alleviated by therapies such as yoga or acupuncture, while osteopaths manipulate the spine, muscles & joints. It is important to use the services of a therapist who is registered & qualified to an appropriate professional level.

Surgery for Back Pain or Spinal Instability: Back pain is rarely treated with surgery. It may be considered if someone has a herniated disc that leads to nerve compression causing persistent pain & muscle deterioration. These are some of the types of surgical procedures used in treating back pain:

• Fusion: The surgeon connects two or more vertebrae & removes movement between them.
• Artificial disk: A damaged disc is replaced with an artificial disc.
• Microdiscectomy: It is when a surgeon removes a herniated disc from a patient’s lower back.
• Laminectomy: If the lamina - known as the roof of the vertebrae - is partially or fully removed, nerve pressure can be alleviated.
• Fixation: Fixation is when spine fracture is fixed.
• Vertebroplasty: It is when fractured vertebrae is injected with cement.

Severe lower back pain or pain that doesn’t go away should lead to a doctor’s appointment.  Call Medcare for support, diagnosis & treatment plans for your back pain.

Home Remedies for Back Pain

Some back pain can be relieved by drugs you can buy from a pharmacist over the counter, such as anti-inflammatory drugs that are free of steroids. Relief can also come through application of heat or cold from a heat compress or ice pack. Some people find relief through rest. Walking when possible can keep muscles from degenerating & is shown to ease stiffness & reduce pain.

Back Pain & Pregnancy

Many women suffer back pain when pregnant, which is common during early pregnancy. Pain is sometimes caused because ligaments change in preparation for labour.  The ligaments soften & stretch, which can strain & cause pain around the lower back & pelvis. Try these tips to avoid pain in pregnancy;

• Lift objects with your knees bent & back straight.
• Try not to lift heavy items.
• Reduce the chance of a twisted spine by moving your feet when turning.
• Replace heels with flat shoes.
• Maintain a straight back with a maternity support pillow.
• Take plenty of rest.
• Soak in a warm bath or take a massage.
• Stay supported in bed – one way to increase this is with a piece of board under a soft mattress.

Paracetamol can be taken to ease pain. If you are trying to get pregnant & have back problem, consult your doctor first.

Exercises for Back Pain

Any form of exercise which strengthens the back muscles will reap benefits. However, in severe backache cases, exercise needs to be undertaken with supervision. We recommend taking advice from a Medcare professional before undertaking any exercise regime, which could actually further damage the back. The core, arm & leg muscles gain strength from back exercise – which allows increased blood flow to get to the lower back.  This can help fast forward healing & decrease stiffness.

Prevention of Back Pain

Preventing back pain can be as simple as making some simple lifestyle changes – even down to how we walk & sit. Other changes involve more effort, such as incorporating regular exercise into our lives or losing weight, but will reap dividends in the long-term health of your back. Prevention of backache can be better achieved with knowledge of the risk factors & important lifestyle changes, such as:

Exercise: Exercise helps build strength & manage body weight.  Also, there are heart health benefits from low impact aerobic exercise that doesn’t trouble the back.

• Back muscles can be built-up with core strengthening exercises
• Hip, spine & upper leg areas can be developed with flexibility training

Before undertaking any exercise programme, talk to your Medcare professional.

Diet: A simple change in diet could be to include calcium & vitamin D, for bone health. Bodyweight can be better controlled with a healthy diet. Remember, obese people suffer far more back pain on average than people who are not overweight.

Posture, Movement & Lifestyle: The way we live today gives rise to a number of potential back pain risks. Take a few moments to analyse your workspace, your posture, even what you wear, to help yourself avoid back pain issues.

• When standing, keep the back straight with your weight evenly distributed between feet.
• When sitting, use a chair with sufficient support for the back, one that swivels & has armrests. When using a keyboard keep your elbows at right angles.
• Make your legs take the weight when lifting weights – instead of your back. Never lift & twist together.
• When you move objects, your back will be strained less if you push forward rather than pull items towards you.
• Flat shoes stress the back less than heels.
• Support your back when driving.  Make sure pedals are directly in front of the feet. Take breaks on long journeys & make time to have a walk.
• When sleeping, use a mattress that supports the buttocks & shoulders. Don’t have pillows that put the neck up at a steep angle.

Severe lower back pain or back pain that doesn’t go away with gentle stretches & exercise should lead to a doctor’s appointment. Call the Medcare experts today for support, diagnosis & treatment plans for your back pain.