Many musculoskeletal pains are often easily diagnosed and successfully treated, unfortunately lower back muscle pain is not one of them. The cause can sometimes be elusive, therefore the diagnosis can be incorrect and then the wrong treatments ensues.
PAIN AND WHAT IT TELLS YOU
"Pain is a signal something is wrong."
It the lower back pain is short lasting and mild it may be nothing to worry about, on the flip side if it severe and lasts for a few days up to a week or more, you body is most likely trying to tell you something is wrong. Not listening to your body’s signals can compound problems, extending the duration of lower back muscle pain, often for unnecessary periods.
General guides as to when to refer to a doctor are:
If the pain is severe
If there is swelling
If you hear a cracking or snapping at the time of the injury
If you cannot perform your normal day to day duties
If there is nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, paralysis, weakness or disturbed function following an accident or injury.
If the pain continues beyond 7-10 days.1
WHAT IS LOWER BACK PAIN?
Lower back muscle pain affects the muscles in the lower part of the back. It can be described as:
Acute if it is less than 6 weeks
Sub-acute if it 6-12 weeks
Chronic if it is more than 12 weeks
Many people have suffered from lower back pain, costing millions in lost work as well as medical and insurance resources. Lower back muscle pain is a very common back complaint and effects four out of five people at some point in their lives. Although most lower back pain will heal out within a few days to a few weeks.
LOWER BACK MUSCLE PAIN AMERICAN STATISTICS
80% of society will suffer back pain of some type
Lower back pain
88% will be asymptomatic in 6 weeks
98% in 24 weeks
99% in 52 weeks
97% of causes are unknown
2% attributed to disc problems
29% will require conservative treatment only
1% will require surgery
The rest will recover spontaneously2
RISK FACTORS LOW BACK PAIN
Postural deformities and leg length, in general, don t seem to predispose to low back pain. Studies of static work postures indicate an increased risk of low back pain sitting with a bent over working posture seems to carry significant risk, for example sitting in a car for more than half a work day can lead to three times the risk of disc herniation.3
Physically heavy, static work postures
Frequent bending and twisting, lifting and forceful movements
Repetitive work and vibrations
Tallness leads to increased risk
Sciatica is more frequent in obese people
Weak trunk muscles and decreased endurance
Coughing leading to decreased blood supply to essential areas
Social factors i.e alcoholism, history of divorce, level of education, history of depression.4
SYMPTOMS OF LOWER BACK MUSCLE PAIN
Lower back muscle pain means a pain or ache somewhere between the bottom of the ribs at the back and the top of the legs. That may begin suddenly or follow obvious strain or injury or it can come out of the blue .
It is possible that pain may also travel for example down the buttocks to the foot. It can be worse bending and sitting. Agonizing pain can be experienced when rolling over in bed or possibly sitting up. Sneezing or coughing can aggravate the pain. Back muscles can also go into painful spasms.
Lower back muscle pain may be combined with pain in the leg traveling down the knee. This is otherwise known as sciatica, because the main nerve in the leg (the sciatica nerve) is being irritated by pressure on it..
If in doubt consult your doctor, chiropractor, physiotherapist an osteopath or myotherapist.
GUIDELINES
The first thing to rule out is other obvious conditions which may cause back pain. Watch out for red flags or warning signs, which are factors that may need more rapid treatment. They may point to something more serious than a mechanical problem. If any of these apply to you it is recommended that you see your doctor.
You are younger than 20 when you first get back pain
You are older than 55 when you first get back pain
The pain follows a violent injury
The pain is constant and getting worse
You have had or have cancer
You are on steroids
You are drug abuser
You have HIV
You are generally unwell
You have significant and unexplained weight loss
You have significant trouble bending forward over a period of time
You have developed nervous system problems numbness, loss of power etc
You have developed an obvious structural deformities
If the pain continues over 4 weeks
CONCLUSION
If you are concerned about lower back muscle pain please consult your health care practitioner or doctor. To find out more information please visit YourBackHealth.com
1 Listen to Your Pain. B, Benjamin. Penguin Books. P6
2 Ibid
3 Ibid P543
4 Ibid P544
For a list of natural back pain treatments see natural pain relief
