Lower back pain is one of the most common health complaints. It’s the high price we pay for our two-legged stance. Our transition from four to two legs involved a series of adaptations which are still not as perfect as they could be.
The spine is a complex structure and can suffer from problems which prompt many visits to specialists. Lower back pain may be a symptom of a number of diseases. Congenital skeletal disorders, static disorders, vertebral instability, infections, inflammation, trauma, neoplasm, haematological disorders, immunopathy and a long list of other causes may be behind the pain. Lumbago and lumbalgia are both terms used to describe lower back pain. The difference is that the former refers to acute and the latter to chronic pain. So LUMBAGO means acute lumbar pain and LUMBALGIA means chronic lumbar pain.
Tips for preventing lower back pain.
• Lie face up or on your side in bed. You may find that putting a pillow between or underneath your legs can be comfortable.
• Use a suitable chair which provides good support, preferably with a foot rest, head rest and arm rests.
• If you have to move a large object, push it with your back against the object, using your legs. Always bend your knees and hips when picking up objects from the floor.
• The most suitable position is one in which the shoulders are relaxed (neither forward nor backward).
• Always be careful not to strain your spine when moving objects. Pushing is better than pulling. Divide large loads into smaller ones and carry them as close as possible to the body.
• Walk with your head held high, your pelvis forward and your feet straight.
• Rest every two hours on long car journeys.
• Avoid leaning forward as far as possible. Your shoulders should be a few centimetres behind your hips and rest on the seat back (provided the seat back is straight).
• Exercise is very important to keep your back muscles strong and to prevent problems later on. See your doctor to discover what is behind the problem if this is the first time you have suffered from back pain and check that there is a mechanical cause and that it is not a symptom of a general illness.
ASSSA Medical Services
The information published in this media neither substitutes nor complements in any way the direct supervision of a doctor, his diagnosis or the treatment that he may prescribe. It should also not be used for self-diagnosis.
The exclusive responsibility for the use of this service lies with the reader.
ASSSA advises you to always consult your doctor about any issue concerning your health.
