The causes, prevention, and treatment of lower back pain
Lower back pain can dramatically affect your life, making even the simplest of movements extremely painful. If you suffer from lower back pain that never goes away, your orthopedic specialist can help. The doctors at Illinois Orthopedic Institute Dr. Joe George and Dr. Rebecca Kuo offer several successful treatments for lower back pain. They have offices in Joliet, Bolingbrook, and Channahon, Illinois to help you feel better.
There are many causes of lower back pain including:
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Heavy lifting
- Long periods of standing or bending
- Poor body mechanics or poor posture
You may also develop chronic lower back pain from a medical condition like spinal stenosis, degenerative joint disease, arthritis, or obesity. Normal aging can also lead to chronic back pain.
You can help prevent lower back pain by following a few simple, healthy rules. Remember to:
- Sit up straight and maintain good posture
- Use good body mechanics when you lift objects
- Warm up and stretch before physical activity
- Wear supportive footwear for what you are doing
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Sleep on a medium to firm mattress
If you do develop lower back pain, you can try some gentle stretches and put ice on your lower back. Try taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medication, and have a massage to relax tight, stressed lower back muscles.
For chronic lower back pain that doesn’t go away, it’s best to seek out an orthopedic specialist. Your orthopedic doctor will do a comprehensive spine and back examination, including x-rays to determine if your lower back pain is due to a medical condition. After a diagnosis of what is causing your lower back pain, your doctor can discuss treatment with you. Your orthopedic specialist may recommend:
- Prescription medications to reduce swelling and inflammation
- Thermal therapies including applying ice and heat
- Therapeutic massage to relax tense, strained muscles
- Back braces to keep you in proper alignment and realign your spine
- Surgery to realign or repair areas of your spine
- Counseling about proper body mechanics, lifting, and other movements