Low Back Pain

Disclaimer: Instructions are for active patients of Fox West Medical/ Dr. Fox  

DESCRIPTION: BACK STRAIN

This is a tear or over-stretching of one of the muscles or several muscles in your back. This can be extremely painful since the muscles in the back are extremely sensitive. A pillow underneath your knees may help.

ACTIVITY: In order to avoid such injuries in the future, make sure that you always keep your back straight whenever bending. You should bend at the knees and keep your back upright at all times, even if you are lifting something as light as a pencil. Exercises such as sit-ups, which strengthen the abdominal muscles, are very helpful for the back. Exercises to improve flexibility, such as toe-touches are also very helpful. If you suffer from a back or neck injury that is work related, you will be off work, or on modified light duty, until you have been cleared for work by the appropriate referral physician. Avoid activities that create pain or cause you to move the area of you spinal column in extreme directions. Don't forget to perform all related movements of the injured body region with good posture. This includes performing lifting activities by bending you knees and keeping your back straight. 

For spine related injuries you should:

1) Avoid quick jarring movements

2) Avoid lifting anything over 10 lbs.

3) Lift with you knees bent, and your toe/hips pointed towards the object being lifting, as well as keeping your toes/hips pointed toward the place you area going to place an object you are going to set down.

4) When sitting or standing, try to keep the normal forward curve in your neck and lower back.

Diet as normal, unless otherwise instructed.

TREATMENT: Avoid bending, heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, and activities that increase discomfort. Back exercise rehabilitation program. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other anti-inflammatory pain medication as directed by your doctor. Sometimes sprains or strains to the ligaments and muscles surrounding the spine can be stiff or painful for 2-3 weeks. Usually the first 48 hours after such an injury is the most uncomfortable period of recovery. During the initial week after recovery it is important to move with purposeful movements. Sometimes pain medications mask the pain that would normally tell you not to over stretch a certain muscle group or joint. However, his pain relief doesn't mean that additional damage can't occur. If you are on Narcotic pain medications such as Hydrocodone, Codiene, or medications that are prescribed as muscle relaxers, it is important to avoid activity that requires concentration or coordination.

See your doctor for follow up care as recommended. A program for back injury rehabilitation with stretching and strengthening exercises is an important part of management. You are to return to the Emergency Department or seek immediate medical evaluation if the following occur:

1) Any sudden change or worsening of current symptoms

2) Any sudden increase in pain.

3) Any "foot drop". This is the inability to move your foot because of pressure on a nerve that results in nerve damage.

4) Any urinary or bowel incontinence.(inability to go, or unable to hold in.)

5) Any developing or sudden onset numbness or weakness in arms or legs