Low Back Pain – Treatment Options

Absolute rest is not recommended, so it is advisable to start gentle exercise after the first few days without making abrupt movements or lifting weight.

Lumbar  pain or pain in the lower back is related to the lumbar spine and the structure of the soft tissues associated with it (muscles, tendons and nerves, and intervertebral discs).

The symptoms can last for a few days but can also drag on for several weeks.

Various tests must be carried out before treatment to determine the exact causes. It is extremely important to rule out more serious conditions such as osteoporosis, infections, injuries that require surgery, or even cancer.

Most will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives. The pain can be felt all over the back, but the most common pain is in the lumbar region.

These complaints are very common as most of the body’s weight is supported by this area.

Lumbar pain is one of the most common reasons to see a doctor, right after colds and flu.

Most complaints arise in the workplace, after a lot of physical exertion, when lifting heavy objects or when someone has to hold the same position for a long time.

Acute lower back pain can also be caused by a fall  or improper exercise. Muscles or tendons in the back area can be affected and cause severe pain.

Causes of sudden low back pain

• Broken bones caused by  osteoporosis or arthritic diseases.
• When the spinal cord is attacked by cancer.
• Muscle spasms,  when the muscles remain tense.
• Herniated disc, injury to the intervertebral disc or infections in the spine area

• Overexertion, lifting weights that are too heavy
• Spinal stenosis, that is, narrowing of the spinal canal
• Scoliosis or kyphosis, which is curvature of the spine. This can be inherited and already occur in children and young people.
• Overstretched or torn muscles or ligaments.
• pregnancy
• Diseases related to the female reproductive system (e.g. cysts, ovarian cancer or uterine fibroids).

Recommendations to prevent or treat low back pain

• Rest for several days in a row without doing any heavy physical work to allow the lumbar region to recover and the pain to subside more quickly.
• Cold compresses are recommended for the first few days, followed  by hot ones. This can prevent cramps that cause pain.
• You can take pain relievers, especially in the first few days until the muscles relax. These must be prescribed by a doctor. Remember that self-medication is never advisable.

• Sleep in the fetal position with a pillow between your legs. If you like to sleep on your back, you can place a pillow under your knees to support them and relieve the pressure.

• After some rest in the first few days, you should start again with some exercise. No exercise for a long period of time is not recommended. The exercises should be gentle. Avoid lifting heavy objects and abrupt movements for at least the first three weeks.
• Do exercises to strengthen your back muscles. These too should be very gentle at the beginning and can be strengthened over time. You can walk, bike, and swim. Do not start these exercises too early, however, or the pain may increase.

• If these exercises and pain relievers do not go away with lumbar pain, you will need physical therapy assistance. A therapist can show you the correct stretching exercises to reduce pain and prevent new incidents.
• The best prevention is regular exercise and correct posture,  especially if you sit for long periods of time. Use a chair with a back to support your back. This is the best way to prevent lower back pain .
• Try to keep your weight down. Eating a healthy diet high in fruits and vegetables can help with this.

Home remedies for low back pain

• A very effective home remedy is a gentle massage with a mixture of almond oil and a few drops of diamond essential oil. The massage is performed in the direction of the muscles for five minutes and is repeated three times a day.

• Bring three spoons of verbena to a boil in a cup of water. Moisten a cloth with this infusion and place it on the affected area as hot as possible without burning yourself. This treatment can also be carried out several times a day.
• Add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil to the bath water and then bathe in it for at least 20 minutes.
• Boil three spoons of flaxseed and one spoon of mustard. Use this to make compresses in the pain area every night until you feel better.