Understanding Your Low Back Pain

At some point in time, almost everyone will Can Low Back Pain Be Prevented? Treatment Options experience low back pain. This pain can vary No. There is not a 100% guarantee method to In many cases, a combination of treatments from mild to severe and can be short-lived or prevent anyone from developing low back pain. will help relieve the pain enough for you to do long-lasting. However it happens, low back There is no way to avoid the daily normal wear all of your normal daily activities. pain can make many everyday activities and tear on our backs. However, steps can be tak- difficult to do. en to lessen the impact of low back pain. Activity Modifications Many people find that taking periodic breaks Anatomy Exercise throughout the day helps relieve their low back Understanding your spine and how it works Combine aerobic exercise, such as running or pain. It is important to try and avoid sitting for can help you understand why you have low swimming, along with specific exercises, such as extended periods of time. back pain. abdominal contractions and wall squats to help keep the muscles in your back and abdomen Medication Your spine is made up of small bones, called strong and flexible. Taking anti-inflammatory medicine or NSAIDS vertebrae, which are stacked on top of one (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as another. Muscles, ligaments, nerves, and Proper Lifting Motrin, Advil, Naproxen or Aleve as directed by intervertebral disks are additional parts of your Be sure to lift heavy items with your legs, not your your doctor can be effective. This medication spine. back. Do not bend over to pick up something. should be taken for 10 to 14 days to allow the Keep your back straight and bend at your knees. medicine to build up therapeutic levels in the Vertebrae body. Taking the medication infrequently allows Vertebrae connect to one another to create a Weight the medicine levels to drop, which decreases canal that protects the spinal cord. The spine Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases pres- effectiveness. consist of three sections: sure on the lower back. cervical (neck area), Physical Therapy thoracic (chest area), Proper Posture Therapy can involve treatments such as heat, and lumbar (lower back). Good posture is important for avoiding future back ice, and massage. Active physical therapy These three sections problems. should consist of stretching your back and Cervical create the natural curves abdomen region, aerobic exercise such as in the spine. The lower Rest running and swimming, and strength training. section of your spine Getting sufficient amount of sleep at night (sacrum and coccyx) is combined with a supportive mattress is important Thoracic made up of vertebrae in maintaining a healthy and happy back. that are fused together.

Back Packs Five lumbar vertebrae A heavy or incorrectly worn back pack can cause connect the upper spine Lumbar upper or low back pain or neck pain. Make sure to to the pelvis. choose a backpack with two wide, padded shoul-

der straps. A rolling backpack may also be helpful. Do you have Low Back Pain?

Common Causes Jeffrey B. Neustadt, M.D. Strains and Sprains Gregory V. Hahn, M.D.  Muscle soreness from over activity is one of Drew E. Warnick, M.D. the most common caus- Paul L. Benfanti, M.D. es of low back pain. Lee G. Phillips, M.D. Muscles and ligament Low Back Pain fibers can be over- Daniel C. Bland, M.D. stretched or injured. T. Cooper Wilson, M.D.

Herniated Disk  An intervetrebal disk herniates when its gelatinous like center or nucleus, pushes against its outer ring. When the herniated disk bulges out, through a crack in ring toward the spinal canal, it puts pressure on the sensitive spinal nerves, causing pain.

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3440 W. Dr. MLK Jr. Blvd, Suite 200 Tampa, FL 33607 Disk Degeneration/Osteoarthritis Phone: (813) 879-2663 - Fax: (813) 872-0286  Intevetrebal disks begin to shrink with age. In some instances, they may completely col- 5881 Rand Blvd lapse causing the bones to rub against each Sarasota, FL 34238 other. As a result, pain and stiffness occur. 4443 Rowan Road New Port Richey, FL 34653

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