Low Back Pain

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Low Back Pain
Get real relief from low back pain. Strengthen your lower back with regular exercise and good nutrition. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
  • Take care of your back

    Practice good workplace and lifestyle habits, such as lifting and standing properly; learn proper exercises to reduce low back pain from a qualified instructor

  • Consider seeing a chiropractor

    A qualified practitioner may be able to help correct spinal problems that contribute to back pain and disability

  • Get a checkup

    See your healthcare provider to make sure your symptoms are not related to a medical problem

Also indexed as:
  • back ache,
  • back pain,
  • backache,
  • bulging disc,
  • chronic back pain,
  • chronic low back pain,
  • herniated disc,
  • LBP (low back pain),
  • low back pain,
  • lower back pain,
  • lumbago,
  • lumbar herniated disc,
  • lumbar radiculopathy,
  • prolapsed intervertebral disc,
  • prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc,
  • ruptured disc,
  • sciatica,
  • slipped disc
Alternative Treatments

About this treatment

About This Condition

The low back supports most of the body’s weight, and as a result, is susceptible to pain caused by injury or other problems. Over 80% of adults experience low back pain (LBP) sometime during their life. More than half will have a repeat episode.

It is often difficult to pinpoint the root of low back pain, though poor muscle tone, joint problems, and torn muscles or ligaments are common causes. A herniated or slipped disc may also cause low back pain as well as sciatica, a condition where pain travels down one or both buttocks and/or legs.

Standing or sitting for extended periods, wearing high heels, and being sedentary increase the risk of developing low back pain, as do obesity and back strain due to improper lifting. Up to half of pregnant women experience some low back pain. Long hours spent driving a car may contribute to a herniated disc. This is possibly due to the vibration caused by the car.

Many people with low back pain recover without seeing a doctor or receiving treatment. Up to 90% recuperate within three to four weeks, though recurrences are common, and chronic low back pain develops in many people. Low back pain is considered acute, or short-term, when it lasts for a few days up to many weeks. Chronic low back pain refers to any episode that lasts longer than three months.

While low back pain is rarely life threatening, it is still important to have chronic or recurring back pain assessed by a healthcare professional. Potentially serious causes include spinal tumor, infection, fracture, nerve damage, osteoporosis, arthritis, or pain caused by conditions found in internal organs such as the kidneys.

Symptoms

Low back pain may be a steady ache or a sharp, acute pain that is worse with movement.

Holistic Options

Acupuncture may be helpful in the treatment of low back pain in some people. Case reports and numerous preliminary trials have described significant improvement in both acute and chronic back pain following acupuncture (or acupuncture with electrical stimulation) treatment. In a single controlled study of acute back pain, both electroacupuncture and drug therapy (acetaminophen) led to statistically significant pain reduction and improved mobility.

Several controlled clinical trials have evaluated acupuncture for chronic low back pain. A controlled trial found acupuncture was significantly superior to placebo (fake electrical stimulation through the skin) in four of five measures of pain and physical signs. Controlled trials using electroacupuncture have reported either benefit or no benefit for chronic back pain. A double-blind trial compared acupuncture to injections of anesthetic just below the skin at non-acupuncture points, and found no difference in effect between the two treatments. Controlled trials have compared acupuncture to transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS). Some, though not all, demonstrated greater pain relief with acupuncture when compared to TENS, and one found improved spinal mobility only with acupuncture.

In one preliminary trial, acupuncture relieved pain and diminished disability in the low back during pregnancy better than physiotherapy.

A recent analysis and review of studies reported acupuncture was effective for low back pain, though another recent review concluded acupuncture could not be recommended due to the poor quality of the research. A third review concluded that acupuncture was beneficial for people with slipped discs and sciatica and could be recommended at the very least as a supplementary therapy. Since the vast majority of controlled acupuncture research addresses chronic low back pain, it remains unknown whether people with acute low back pain benefit significantly from acupuncture.

The federally funded Agency for Health Care Policy and Research has deemed spinal manipulation effective for acute low back pain during the first month following injury. This recommendation is supported by other research, though some has not been well controlled. People whose initial pain or disability is severe to moderate appear to benefit the most, though those with longer lasting or chronic pain may also be helped by spinal manipulation. One 12-month controlled study found no difference in benefit between manipulation and standard physical therapy. Another controlled study found a series of eight treatments with spinal manipulation was as effective as conventional medical therapy, but the manipulation group needed less pain medication and physical therapy. Practitioners who perform spinal manipulation include chiropractors, some osteopaths, and some physical therapists.

Some researchers suggest that spinal manipulation should not be performed on people with a herniated (slipped) disc, because it may lead to spinal cord injuries. However, other preliminary trials report that spinal manipulation helps those with herniated discs, as did one controlled study comparing manipulation to standard physical therapy. In one investigation of 59 people with slipped discs who received chiropractic treatment, including manipulation, 90% reported improvement. Those with a history of low back surgery had poor outcomes. People with LBP due to herniated discs who wish to try this method should first consult with a chiropractor or other physician skilled in spinal manipulation. A recent controlled study compared manipulation, acupuncture, and medication for chronic spinal pain. Only manipulation significantly improved pain and disability scores.

There is inconclusive evidence that massage alone helps people with low back pain, though preliminary research indicates it has potential. Many practitioners use massage in combination with other physical therapies, such as spinal manipulation or therapeutic exercise. People with low back pain who want to try massage should consult with a qualified massage therapist.

Some controlled trials indicate that biofeedback benefits people with chronic low back pain, but other trials do not. One study found that biofeedback was more effective than behavioral therapy or conservative medical treatment for people with chronic back pain. The study also found biofeedback to be the only method where people experienced significant reduction in pain for up to the two years of follow-up. People wishing to try biofeedback should discuss this method with a qualified practitioner.

Emotional distress has been associated with aggravating low back pain, including that caused by a herniated disc. The effects on back pain of counseling aimed at reducing emotional stress remain unknown, though it is used in some clinics employing multidisciplinary approaches to treating chronic lower back pain.

Last Review: 05-11-2011

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Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net

Learn more about Aisle7, the company.

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.

© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

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