Lower back pain impacts almost 80 percent of Americans at some point in their lives, reports OnHealth. If you don't experience relief within 72 hours, contact Illinois Orthopedic Institute in Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Channahon, IL. Lower back pain is a specialty of Dr. Joe Matthew George, Dr. Rebecca Kuo, and Dr. Ryan Pizinger. Get your pain-free life back!
Causes of lower back pain
Doctors call the lower back the lumbar region of the spine. All you know is that it hurts, and you want to be able to move well again.
Causes of lower back pain include:
- Standing for long periods of time
- Lifting heavy objects, particularly if you use poor technique (twisting your lower back strains muscles, ligaments, and tendons)
- Obesity
- Poor posture
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor workout techniques (sit-ups strain the lower back)
- Accidents, including motor vehicle accidents and falls
- Arthritis, osteoporosis and other inflammatory and degenerative conditions
Treating lumbar pain
See your physician at Illinois Orthopedic Institute right away with unresolved pain, loss of movement in the legs or lower body, and problems with bladder emptying/bowel movements. However, if your pain is simply bothersome, but manageable, you likely need an ongoing treatment strategy to keep your lumbar regions working properly.
At Illinois Orthopedic Institute in Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Channahon, IL, your evaluation will include symptom review, X-ray imaging, and a hands-on exam of your lower back. Treatment plans vary with diagnosis and your medical history, activity, and other factors.
The simplest interventions include:
- Rest
- Ice or heat to the affected area
- Stretching exercises and physical therapy
- Pain medications (ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, or others)
- Steroidal or anesthetic injections
- Back braces
- Modification of your work and exercise routines
- Losing weight
Some conditions require surgery when pain and lifestyle impacts are severe. Decompression surgery to relieve pain intervertebral discs and spinal nerves are common procedures but require extensive rehabilitation, patience, and mental toughness.
Our physicians offer minimally-invasive arthroscopies and other computer-assisted surgeries (CAS) which reduce incision size and speed healing. They also deliver custom-tailored rehabilitation plans to improve range of motion and mobility as quickly as possible.
Your best back function
Regain it post-injury or when diagnosed with a degenerative condition. At Illinois Orthopedic Institute, Dr. George, Dr. Kuo, and Dr. Pizinger work with precision, compassion, and experience. We are here to help you! Regarding your lower back pain, call our Joliet, IL, or Channahon offices at (815) 741-6900, or our location in Bolingbrook at (630) 679-1111.