Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

I bet if I asked folks to raise their hands if they've had low back pain, there would be a lot of hands raised, including mine.

It can start as a nagging pain, or it can hit you all of a sudden. Many cases of back pain are caused by stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine.

These muscles can become vulnerable from lack of exercise or they can be damaged from too much exercise or injury. Extra pounds can put extra stress on the spine and the discs, which cushion the bones of the back.

When back pain strikes, our first impulse is to lie down. Resting is appropriate, but prolonged bed rest can weaken the muscles. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with the pain. If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant or other medicine. Some people are helped by applying ice in the first 48 hours for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. After the first two days, a heating pad or shower may provide relief. Back exercises can also help you get moving, and may also help prevent future occurrences. Your doctor can provide you with instruction; some worksites also have back schools.

Usually, low back pain gets better on its own, but you should call your doctor if any of these symptoms occur:

Severe pain
Pain radiating to your leg or foot
Leg numbness, tingling or weakness
Back pain with fever or vomiting
Pain lasting for more than a few days; though sometimes it can take weeks to fully recover
Inability to control bowel or bladder

Weight loss, stretching, and practicing good posture are some actions you can take to prevent back pain. Walking, swimming and stationary biking are good exercises that don't put excess stress on your back.

February 7
Low Back Pain
	I bet if I asked folks to raise their hands if they've had low back pain, there would be a lot of hands raised, including mine. It can start as a nagging pain, or it can hit you all of a sudden. Many cases of back pain are caused by stress on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. These muscles can become vulnerable from lack of exercise or they can be damaged from too much exercise or injury. Extra pounds can put extra stress on the spine and the discs, which cushion the bones of the back. When back pain strikes, our first impulse is to lie down. Resting is appropriate, but prolonged bed rest can weaken the muscles. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with the pain. If the pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant or other medicine. Some people are helped by applying ice in the first 48 hours for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. After the first two days, a heating pad or shower may provide relief. Back exercises can also help you get moving, and may also help prevent future occurrences. Your doctor can provide you with instruction; some worksites also have back schools. Usually, low back pain gets better on its own, but you should call your doctor if any of these symptoms occur: Severe pain Pain radiating to your leg or foot Leg numbness, tingling or weakness Back pain with fever or vomiting Pain lasting for more than a few days; though sometimes it can take weeks to fully recover Inability to control bowel or bladder Weight loss, stretching, and practicing good posture are some actions you can take to prevent back pain. Walking, swimming and stationary biking are good exercises that don't put excess stress on your back.

	What about alternative therapies for back pain? Spinal manipulation, acupuncture, and massage can provide short-term pain relief. Spinal manipulation can be effective in some people and at least one study found it to be as effective as medical treatment. Massage may also be effective, and in one study was found to be more effective than acupuncture. Acupuncture didn't fare as well-a review of controlled studies found no benefit to acupuncture for low back pain, but it may be that there just aren't enough good studies to conclude one way or another. When does someone need surgery? It's uncommon to need surgery for low back pain unless there's evidence for nerve problems or a herniated disc. Only about 1 in 100 people are actually helped by back surgery. If surgery is recommended to you, it's important to have a detailed discussion with your doctor to understand the risks and benefits. References and Resources: Back Pain National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke www.ninds.nih.gov/patients/Disorder/back%20pain/backpain.htm American Chiropractic Association www.amerchiro.org Acupuncture for low back pain www.cochrane.de/cc/cochrane/revabstr/ab001351.htm