subject: Back To The Basics: What Is Back Pain? [print this page] Acute or short term low back pain usually lasts only a few days or a few weeks, and results from trauma to the lower back or an ailment such as arthritis. This pain may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress to spinal bones and tissues. Symptoms could range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than three months, and is often progressive and difficult to diagnose.
Most low back pain can be treated without surgery. Treatment involves the use of over-the-counter pain relievers to reduce discomfort and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation. The goal of treatment always is to restore proper strength and function to the back, and prevent recurrence of the injury. Medications are often used to treat both acute and chronic low back pain.
Effective pain relief may involve a combination of prescription drugs and over the counter remedies; in addition, cold and hot compresses may help reduce pain and inflammation and allow greater mobility for some people. Bed rest is recommended for a maximum of one to two days. Individuals should resume activities as soon as possible, and exercise is a vital means of recovering from lower back pain and strengthening back and abdominal muscles. In the most serious cases, when the condition does not respond to other therapies, surgery may relieve pain caused by back problems or serious musculoskeletal injuries.
Most patients with back pain recover without residual functional loss, but individuals should contact a doctor if a noticeable reduction in pain and inflammation does not occur after 72 hours of self-care. Recurring back pain resulting from improper body mechanics or other nontraumatic causes often is preventable. Engaging in exercises that don't jolt or strain the back, maintaining correct posture, and lifting objects properly can help prevent injuries. Many work-related injuries are caused or aggravated by stressors such as heavy lifting, vibration, repetitive motion, and awkward posture. Applying ergonomic principles using furniture and tools to protect the body from injury at home and in the workplace can reduce the risk of back injury and help maintain a healthy back.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct pain research in laboratories at the NIH as well as support pain research through grants to major medical institutions across the country. Currently, researchers are examining the use of different drugs to treat back pain; particularly chronic pain that has lasted at least six months. Other studies are comparing different health care approaches to the management of acute low back pain (standard care versus chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy). These studies are measuring symptom relief, restoration of function, and patient satisfaction. Other research is comparing standard surgical treatments to the most commonly used standard nonsurgical treatments to measure changes in health-related quality of life among patients suffering from spinal stenosis.
