It can happen anywhere at anytime to just about anyone — a sudden, severe case of low back pain.
Whether you were working in your yard, exercising at the gym or simply brushing your teeth, it seems that you've "thrown out your back." You can't straighten up, it's hard to walk and to sit, and it's remarkably difficult to find a comfortable position you can stay in for more than a few minutes.
Unfortunately, almost 100 percent of the population will experience an episode of acute low back pain like this over the course of their lifetime. These episodes are marked by intense pain, little relief, and can be scary for someone unaccustomed to dealing with injury.
At the onset of the injury, you will experience a variety of different thoughts, such as "Do I need to see my doctor?" or, "Am I taking the right medication for this problem?" Occasionally, in cases where pain is extreme, you may think that you need to be rushed into surgery.
Another popular and scary thought is wondering if this pain will ever subside. These are all common questions that race through the minds of people who are in significant pain immediately after an injury.
Most episodes of back pain presenting like this last for at least two weeks, and many cases last much longer. Clinicians often find that patients are content to implement a long rest period before they attempt some form of self-treatment.
Popular forms of self-treatment include yoga, self-stretching and jogging. Although these attempts at self-management may seem like a good idea and are made in the spirit of healing, all patients are strongly cautioned from taking matters into their own hands. The likelihood of causing further damage when self-treating is nearly guaranteed.
Most people have occasional aches and pains that are not cause for alarm or hasty measures. In the rare instance where you do sustain a substantial injury, here's a checklist that will help guide you through the initial stage of injury.
Don't panic. If you've suddenly injured yourself, either sit or lay still until you have fully assessed the extent of the injury. Don't get right up and try to stretch it out or loosen it up.
Apply ice to the affected area immediately. Getting ahead of the inflammation will help to dull the pain process and applying ice is generally a good first line defense. Inflammation is toxic to your tissues and minimizing it will expedite the healing process.
Get checked out. To put it into perspective, a twenty-dollar insurance co-payment is a small price to pay for the health of your back. See a professional if you think you're in trouble.
Do not attempt any form of self-stretching or exercise without the guidance of a clinician who is used to dealing with acute low back pain.
Back pain that radiates into the thighs, knees or feet must be evaluated immediately. If caught early enough, many patients can avoid long and painful bouts of sciatica. Patients that have referred pain but start a course of physical therapy within two weeks of their injury have much higher likelihood of having a pain-free outcome without chronic relapses.
Initially, avoid deep, forward-bent positions. Bending forward (and twisting) causes more low back injuries than any other type of trauma. Until you are sure of what is ailing you, avoid those positions altogether.
If your pain is intense or if it doesn't go away after a few days, have it evaluated by a physician or physical therapist. It's never too soon to start the healing process.
Joe DiVincenzo is a physical therapist and clinical specialist in manual therapy. He writes "On the Mend" weekly. Questions may be submitted to Joe by email: joedivincenzo@comcast.net.
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