BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuLow back pain - chronicNonspecific back pain; Backache - chronic; Lumbar pain - chronic; Pain - back - chronic; Chronic back pain - lowLow back pain refers to pain that you feel in your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficulty standing straight.Low back pain that is long-term is called chronic low back pain. Test Your Back Pain KnowledgeWhich is the most common area for back pain? A. Upper back B. Middle back C. Lower back Correct Answer The correct answer is the lower back. The lower back is most likely to hurt because it supports your body's weight. You can help prevent low back pain by learning how to protect your back. Ask your health care provider about back-friendly ways to exercise, bend, and lift heavy objects.Which type of back pain is often caused by a sudden injury? A. Chronic B. Acute Correct Answer The correct answer is acute. A sudden injury to the muscles and ligaments that support the back causes acute pain. Chronic pain is present when your back pain lasts for longer than two months or continues to recur. Your doctor can help figure out what type of back pain you have and how to treat it. Most people with acute back pain feel better in four to six weeks. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is true. You should start to feel better after one week, and your pain should be completely gone in four to six weeks. To get better quickly, ask your doctor what you can do at home to help your back recover.Which is better to treat acute back pain? A. Ice B. Heat C. Both Correct Answer The correct answer is both. Heat, ice, or both help treat back pain. Try using ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, and then apply heat. If you hurt your back, you should rest in bed. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is false. Staying in bed can make back pain worse. You may want to take it easy for a day or two, and then slowly get back to your regular activities. You can start exercising again after about two to three weeks, but avoid heavy lifting or twisting for six weeks. If you recover more quickly, you will be more active sooner. Which activity should you avoid until your back is healed? A. Jogging B. Contact sports C. Dancing D. Golf E. A and B F. All of the above Correct Answer The correct answer is all of the above. Don't do any of these activities until your doctor or physical therapist tells you it's okay. You should also avoid weight lifting, racquet sports, sit-ups, and leg lifts when lying on your stomach. All these exercises can strain your back.People who smoke are more likely to have low back pain. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is true. You also may have a greater risk for low back pain if you are overweight, pregnant, don't exercise, feel stressed or depressed, are over age 30, or do a lot of heavy lifting or bending. Ask your doctor how to reduce your risk for back pain. Which of the following can help relieve chronic back pain? A. Physical therapy B. Massage C. Talk therapy D. Acupuncture E. A and B F. All of the above Correct Answer The correct answer is all of the above. Depending on what's causing your back pain, your doctor may recommend any of these treatments. A physical therapist can help you heal and recover from back pain. Massage may help ease tight muscles and acupuncture may reduce pain. Talk therapy can help you understand and deal with chronic back pain. You'll need prescription medicines for acute back pain. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is false. You can treat most acute back pain with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If these medicines don't provide enough relief for your back pain, ask your doctor if there's another medicine you can take. You may need an injection in your spine if your back pain doesn't improve. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is true. If your back pain doesn't get better with other treatments, your doctor may recommend an injection in your spine. This delivers powerful medicine that reduces swelling in the spine. If other methods haven't worked, ask your doctor if this treatment is an option for you. You'll need surgery if your pain doesn't get better in 12 weeks. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is false. Back surgery may be recommended only when you have nerve damage or have had back pain that doesn't improve after a long time with other treatments. Work with your doctor to try other treatments first. You should call your doctor when you have this back pain symptom. A. Severe back pain B. Numbness or weakness in an arm or a leg C. Bowel or bladder changes or loss of control D. Pain traveling down your legs below the knee E. Any of the above Correct Answer The correct answer is any of the above. Also call if you have been losing weight without trying, back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks, or you have had back pain before, but this time feels worse or different. Causes Low back pain is common. Almost everyone has back pain at some time in their life. Often, the exact cause of the pain cannot be found.A single event may not have caused your pain. You may have been doing many activities, such as lifting the wrong way, for a long time. Then suddenly, one simple movement, such as reaching for something or bending from your waist, leads to pain.Many people with chronic back pain have arthritis. Or they may have extra wear and tear of the spine, which may be due to:Heavy use from work or sports Injuries or fractures Surgery Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersYou may have had a herniated disk, in which part of the spinal disk pushed onto nearby nerves. Normally, the disks provide space and cushion in your spine. If these disks dry out and become thinner and more brittle, you can lose movement in the spine over time.Herniated diskA herniated (slipped) disk occurs when all or part of a disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. This may place pressure on nearby nerves...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersIf the spaces between the spinal nerves and spinal cord become narrowed, this can lead to spinal stenosis. These problems are called degenerative joint or spine disease.Spinal stenosisSpinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the openings (called neural foramina) wher...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Other possible causes of chronic low back pain include:Curvature of the spine, such as scoliosis or kyphosis ScoliosisScoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone's spine naturally curves a b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article KyphosisKyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a bowing or rounding of the back. This leads to a hunchback or slouching posture.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medical problems, such as fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a condition in which a person has long-term pain that is spread throughout their body. The pain is most often accompanied by fatigue...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Piriformis syndrome, a pain disorder involving a muscle in the buttocks called the piriformis muscle Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersYou are at greater risk for low back pain if you:Are over age 30 Are overweight OverweightOverweight and obesity mean having a weight than is higher than what is healthy for a given height. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Are pregnant Do not exercise Feel stressed or depressed StressedSnake bites occur when a snake bites the skin. They are medical emergencies if the snake is venomous. Venomous animals account for a large number of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DepressedDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have a job in which you have to do heavy lifting, bending and twisting, or that involves whole body vibration, such as truck driving or using a sandblaster Smoke Symptoms Symptoms may include any of the following:Dull aching pain Sharp pain Tingling or burning sensation Weakness in your legs or feet Low back pain can differ from person to person. The pain may be mild, or it can be so severe that you cannot move.Depending on the cause of your back pain, you may also have pain in your leg, hip, or on the bottom of your foot. Exams and Tests During the physical exam, the health care provider will try to pinpoint the location of the pain and figure out how it affects your movement.Other tests you have depend on your medical history and symptoms.Tests may include:Blood tests, such as a complete blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Erythrocyte sedimentation rateESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is commonly called a "sed rate. "It is a test that indirectly measures the level of certain protei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the lower spine CT scan of the lower spineA computed tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine makes cross-sectional pictures of the lower back (lumbar spine). It uses x-rays to create the im...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scan of the lower spine MRI scan of the lower spineA lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses energy from strong magnets to create pictures of the lower part of the spine (lumbar spine). An M...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Myelogram (x-ray or CT scan of the spine after dye has been injected into the spinal column) X-ray of the lumbosacral spineX-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your back pain may not go away completely, or it may get more painful at times. Learn to take care of your back at home and how to prevent repeat episodes of back pain. This can help you continue with your normal activities.Take care of your back at homeLow back pain refers to pain that you feel in your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficult...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider may recommend measures to reduce your pain, including:A back brace to support your back Cold packs and heat therapy Traction Physical therapy, involving stretching and strengthening exercises Counseling to learn ways to understand and manage your pain These other health care providers may also help:Massage therapist Someone who performs acupuncture Someone who does spinal manipulation (a chiropractor, osteopathic physician, or physical therapist) If needed, your provider may prescribe medicines to help with your back pain:Aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil), which you can buy without a prescription Low doses of prescription medicines Narcotics or opioids when the pain is severe If your pain does not improve with medicine, physical therapy, and other treatments, your provider may recommend an epidural injection.Epidural injectionAn epidural steroid injection (ESI) is the delivery of powerful anti-inflammatory medicine directly into the space outside of the sac of fluid around...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal surgery is considered only if you have nerve damage or bone damage that is causing the back pain does not heal after a long time. In some patients, a spinal cord stimulator can help reduce back pain.Other treatments that may be recommended if your pain does not improve with medicine and physical therapy include:Spinal surgery, only if you have nerve damage or the cause of your pain does not heal after a long time Spinal cord stimulation, in which a small device sends an electric current to the spine to block pain signals Some people with low back pain may also need:Job changes Job counseling Job retraining Occupational therapy Outlook (Prognosis) Most back problems get better on their own. Follow your provider's advice on treatment and self-care measures. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have severe back pain that does not go away. Call right away if you have numbness, loss of movement, weakness, or bowel or bladder changes.Open ReferencesReferencesAbd OHE, Amadera JED. Low back strain or sprain. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 48.Dixit R. Low back pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 50.Malik K, Nelson A. Overview of low back pain disorders. In: Benzon HT, Raja SN, Liu SS, Fishman SM, Cohen SP, eds. Essentials of Pain Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 24.AllVideoImagesTogSpinal stenosis - illustration Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal. This can develop as you age from drying out and shrinking of the disk spaces. (The disks are 80% water.) If this happens, even a minor injury can cause inflammation of the disk and put pressure on the nerve. You can feel pain anywhere along your back or leg(s) that this nerve supplies.Spinal stenosisillustrationBackaches - illustration Although stress can cause backaches it is wise to watch out for other signs that may indicate a more serious condition. Pain which radiates to the buttocks, arms or legs, and weakness or numbness in the arms and legs should not be ignored. BackachesillustrationBack pain - age factors - illustration Most people age 50 and older have experienced low back pain. This is caused by age-related wear and tear of the spinal disks, joints, and other spinal structures. As we age, the soft disks between the vertebrae dry out and start to bulge and can rupture. This condition is called disk herniation. Arthritis of the spine causes the bones and ligaments of the spine to thicken and grow larger. Arthritis and herniated disks can contribute to spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spinal column. This causes pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that leave the spinal column. These age-related changes to the spine can cause pain, weakness, or numbness.Back pain - age factorsillustrationHerniated disk - illustration A herniated (slipped) disk occurs when part or all of the soft, gelatinous portion of a disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. The disk may move out of place (herniate) or break open (rupture) from injury or strain. This can put pressure on nearby nerves or the spinal cord. This can happen to any part of the spine, but it most often occurs in the lower back. A herniated disk in the lower back may cause low back pain that radiates across the hips or to the ankle or foot. If the disk herniation is minimal, you may have no symptoms. Most people improve with nonsurgical treatment, but it may take several months or a year or more to return to all of your activities without having pain.Herniated diskillustrationSpinal stenosis - illustration Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal. This can develop as you age from drying out and shrinking of the disk spaces. (The disks are 80% water.) If this happens, even a minor injury can cause inflammation of the disk and put pressure on the nerve. You can feel pain anywhere along your back or leg(s) that this nerve supplies.Spinal stenosisillustrationBackaches - illustration Although stress can cause backaches it is wise to watch out for other signs that may indicate a more serious condition. Pain which radiates to the buttocks, arms or legs, and weakness or numbness in the arms and legs should not be ignored. BackachesillustrationBack pain - age factors - illustration Most people age 50 and older have experienced low back pain. This is caused by age-related wear and tear of the spinal disks, joints, and other spinal structures. As we age, the soft disks between the vertebrae dry out and start to bulge and can rupture. This condition is called disk herniation. Arthritis of the spine causes the bones and ligaments of the spine to thicken and grow larger. Arthritis and herniated disks can contribute to spinal stenosis, which is narrowing of the spinal column. This causes pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves that leave the spinal column. These age-related changes to the spine can cause pain, weakness, or numbness.Back pain - age factorsillustrationHerniated disk - illustration A herniated (slipped) disk occurs when part or all of the soft, gelatinous portion of a disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. The disk may move out of place (herniate) or break open (rupture) from injury or strain. This can put pressure on nearby nerves or the spinal cord. This can happen to any part of the spine, but it most often occurs in the lower back. A herniated disk in the lower back may cause low back pain that radiates across the hips or to the ankle or foot. If the disk herniation is minimal, you may have no symptoms. Most people improve with nonsurgical treatment, but it may take several months or a year or more to return to all of your activities without having pain.Herniated diskillustrationA Closer Look Low back pain(Alt. Medicine)Back pain and sciatica - InDepth(In-Depth)Fibromyalgia - InDepth(In-Depth)Prostatitis(Alt. Medicine)Viral hepatitis(Alt. Medicine)Exercise - InDepth(In-Depth)Osteoarthritis(Alt. Medicine)Chronic fatigue syndrome(Alt. Medicine)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Endometriosis - InDepth(In-Depth)Self Care Back pain - returning to workManaging your chronic back painSacroiliac joint pain - aftercareShin splints - self-care Tests for Low back pain - chronic BronchoscopyCerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collectionRheumatoid factor (RF)Parathyroid hormone (PTH) blood testLead levels - bloodCoronary angiographyPotassium testRelated Information Diskectomy(Surgery)Foraminotomy(Surgery)Laminectomy(Surgery)Spinal fusion(Surgery)Sciatica(Condition)Spine surgery - discharge(Discharge)Back pain and sciatica - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 4/27/2023 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Low back pain - chronicNonspecific back pain; Backache - chronic; Lumbar pain - chronic; Pain - back - chronic; Chronic back pain - lowLow back pain refers to pain that you feel in your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficulty standing straight.Low back pain that is long-term is called chronic low back pain. Test Your Back Pain KnowledgeWhich is the most common area for back pain? A. Upper back B. Middle back C. Lower back Correct Answer The correct answer is the lower back. The lower back is most likely to hurt because it supports your body's weight. You can help prevent low back pain by learning how to protect your back. Ask your health care provider about back-friendly ways to exercise, bend, and lift heavy objects.Which type of back pain is often caused by a sudden injury? A. Chronic B. Acute Correct Answer The correct answer is acute. A sudden injury to the muscles and ligaments that support the back causes acute pain. Chronic pain is present when your back pain lasts for longer than two months or continues to recur. Your doctor can help figure out what type of back pain you have and how to treat it. Most people with acute back pain feel better in four to six weeks. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is true. You should start to feel better after one week, and your pain should be completely gone in four to six weeks. To get better quickly, ask your doctor what you can do at home to help your back recover.Which is better to treat acute back pain? A. Ice B. Heat C. Both Correct Answer The correct answer is both. Heat, ice, or both help treat back pain. Try using ice for the first 48 to 72 hours, and then apply heat. If you hurt your back, you should rest in bed. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is false. Staying in bed can make back pain worse. You may want to take it easy for a day or two, and then slowly get back to your regular activities. You can start exercising again after about two to three weeks, but avoid heavy lifting or twisting for six weeks. If you recover more quickly, you will be more active sooner. Which activity should you avoid until your back is healed? A. Jogging B. Contact sports C. Dancing D. Golf E. A and B F. All of the above Correct Answer The correct answer is all of the above. Don't do any of these activities until your doctor or physical therapist tells you it's okay. You should also avoid weight lifting, racquet sports, sit-ups, and leg lifts when lying on your stomach. All these exercises can strain your back.People who smoke are more likely to have low back pain. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is true. You also may have a greater risk for low back pain if you are overweight, pregnant, don't exercise, feel stressed or depressed, are over age 30, or do a lot of heavy lifting or bending. Ask your doctor how to reduce your risk for back pain. Which of the following can help relieve chronic back pain? A. Physical therapy B. Massage C. Talk therapy D. Acupuncture E. A and B F. All of the above Correct Answer The correct answer is all of the above. Depending on what's causing your back pain, your doctor may recommend any of these treatments. A physical therapist can help you heal and recover from back pain. Massage may help ease tight muscles and acupuncture may reduce pain. Talk therapy can help you understand and deal with chronic back pain. You'll need prescription medicines for acute back pain. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is false. You can treat most acute back pain with over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). If these medicines don't provide enough relief for your back pain, ask your doctor if there's another medicine you can take. You may need an injection in your spine if your back pain doesn't improve. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is true. If your back pain doesn't get better with other treatments, your doctor may recommend an injection in your spine. This delivers powerful medicine that reduces swelling in the spine. If other methods haven't worked, ask your doctor if this treatment is an option for you. You'll need surgery if your pain doesn't get better in 12 weeks. A. True B. False Correct Answer The correct answer is false. Back surgery may be recommended only when you have nerve damage or have had back pain that doesn't improve after a long time with other treatments. Work with your doctor to try other treatments first. You should call your doctor when you have this back pain symptom. A. Severe back pain B. Numbness or weakness in an arm or a leg C. Bowel or bladder changes or loss of control D. Pain traveling down your legs below the knee E. Any of the above Correct Answer The correct answer is any of the above. Also call if you have been losing weight without trying, back pain has lasted longer than 4 weeks, or you have had back pain before, but this time feels worse or different. Causes Low back pain is common. Almost everyone has back pain at some time in their life. Often, the exact cause of the pain cannot be found.A single event may not have caused your pain. You may have been doing many activities, such as lifting the wrong way, for a long time. Then suddenly, one simple movement, such as reaching for something or bending from your waist, leads to pain.Many people with chronic back pain have arthritis. Or they may have extra wear and tear of the spine, which may be due to:Heavy use from work or sports Injuries or fractures Surgery Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersYou may have had a herniated disk, in which part of the spinal disk pushed onto nearby nerves. Normally, the disks provide space and cushion in your spine. If these disks dry out and become thinner and more brittle, you can lose movement in the spine over time.Herniated diskA herniated (slipped) disk occurs when all or part of a disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk. This may place pressure on nearby nerves...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersIf the spaces between the spinal nerves and spinal cord become narrowed, this can lead to spinal stenosis. These problems are called degenerative joint or spine disease.Spinal stenosisSpinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord, or narrowing of the openings (called neural foramina) wher...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Previous imagePlay SlideshowStop SlideshowNext image / Other possible causes of chronic low back pain include:Curvature of the spine, such as scoliosis or kyphosis ScoliosisScoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. Your spine is your backbone. It runs straight down your back. Everyone's spine naturally curves a b...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article KyphosisKyphosis is a curving of the spine that causes a bowing or rounding of the back. This leads to a hunchback or slouching posture.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Medical problems, such as fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a condition in which a person has long-term pain that is spread throughout their body. The pain is most often accompanied by fatigue...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rheumatoid arthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a long-term disease. It can also aff...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Piriformis syndrome, a pain disorder involving a muscle in the buttocks called the piriformis muscle Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersYou are at greater risk for low back pain if you:Are over age 30 Are overweight OverweightOverweight and obesity mean having a weight than is higher than what is healthy for a given height. A person may be overweight from extra muscle, bo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Are pregnant Do not exercise Feel stressed or depressed StressedSnake bites occur when a snake bites the skin. They are medical emergencies if the snake is venomous. Venomous animals account for a large number of...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article DepressedDepression may be described as feeling sad, blue, unhappy, miserable, or down in the dumps. Most of us feel this way at one time or another for shor...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Have a job in which you have to do heavy lifting, bending and twisting, or that involves whole body vibration, such as truck driving or using a sandblaster Smoke Symptoms Symptoms may include any of the following:Dull aching pain Sharp pain Tingling or burning sensation Weakness in your legs or feet Low back pain can differ from person to person. The pain may be mild, or it can be so severe that you cannot move.Depending on the cause of your back pain, you may also have pain in your leg, hip, or on the bottom of your foot. Exams and Tests During the physical exam, the health care provider will try to pinpoint the location of the pain and figure out how it affects your movement.Other tests you have depend on your medical history and symptoms.Tests may include:Blood tests, such as a complete blood count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Erythrocyte sedimentation rateESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is commonly called a "sed rate. "It is a test that indirectly measures the level of certain protei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the lower spine CT scan of the lower spineA computed tomography (CT) scan of the lumbar spine makes cross-sectional pictures of the lower back (lumbar spine). It uses x-rays to create the im...Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scan of the lower spine MRI scan of the lower spineA lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses energy from strong magnets to create pictures of the lower part of the spine (lumbar spine). An M...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Myelogram (x-ray or CT scan of the spine after dye has been injected into the spinal column) X-ray of the lumbosacral spineX-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Your back pain may not go away completely, or it may get more painful at times. Learn to take care of your back at home and how to prevent repeat episodes of back pain. This can help you continue with your normal activities.Take care of your back at homeLow back pain refers to pain that you feel in your lower back. You may also have back stiffness, decreased movement of the lower back, and difficult...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider may recommend measures to reduce your pain, including:A back brace to support your back Cold packs and heat therapy Traction Physical therapy, involving stretching and strengthening exercises Counseling to learn ways to understand and manage your pain These other health care providers may also help:Massage therapist Someone who performs acupuncture Someone who does spinal manipulation (a chiropractor, osteopathic physician, or physical therapist) If needed, your provider may prescribe medicines to help with your back pain:Aspirin, naproxen (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil), which you can buy without a prescription Low doses of prescription medicines Narcotics or opioids when the pain is severe If your pain does not improve with medicine, physical therapy, and other treatments, your provider may recommend an epidural injection.Epidural injectionAn epidural steroid injection (ESI) is the delivery of powerful anti-inflammatory medicine directly into the space outside of the sac of fluid around...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal surgery is considered only if you have nerve damage or bone damage that is causing the back pain does not heal after a long time. In some patients, a spinal cord stimulator can help reduce back pain.Other treatments that may be recommended if your pain does not improve with medicine and physical therapy include:Spinal surgery, only if you have nerve damage or the cause of your pain does not heal after a long time Spinal cord stimulation, in which a small device sends an electric current to the spine to block pain signals Some people with low back pain may also need:Job changes Job counseling Job retraining Occupational therapy Outlook (Prognosis) Most back problems get better on their own. Follow your provider's advice on treatment and self-care measures. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you have severe back pain that does not go away. Call right away if you have numbness, loss of movement, weakness, or bowel or bladder changes.Open ReferencesReferencesAbd OHE, Amadera JED. Low back strain or sprain. In: Frontera WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD Jr, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 48.Dixit R. Low back pain. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, Koretzky GA, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Firestein & Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 50.Malik K, Nelson A. Overview of low back pain disorders. In: Benzon HT, Raja SN, Liu SS, Fishman SM, Cohen SP, eds. Essentials of Pain Medicine. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 24.
