Lower back pain affects 60-80% of adults, it is the second common reason for consulting your family doctor, and is the most common cause of disability in patients under 45 years old.  There are many different causes, and 80% of patients do not have definite diagnosis.  However, 90% patients recover and do well with conservative treatment.

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What causes back pain?

The most common cause of back pain is a torn or pulled muscle or ligament strain

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How best to prevent back ache?

Exercise regularly, rest regularly, avoid heavy housework/ lifting, improve posture, maintain healthy weight,  avoid repetitive work/ strain, minimise mental stress, minimise injury/ trauma

 

Other lower back pain causes (chronic)

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Pain is considered chronic if the pain lasts for more than 3 months. Common causes include; disc degeneration, slipped disc, spinal stenosis, facet arthritis.  fractures.  Less common causes of back pain are from; infection and tumour

 

Types of pain symptoms

Fast (localized) and slow (aching/throbbing), somatic (skin, joints, muscles and bones), visceral (from internal organs)

 

and acute and Chronic

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Diagnosis

A diagnosis takes into account (and not limited to) the following; patient history, clinical examination, X-rays, blood/urine test, bone mineral densitometry, electromyography / nerve conduction test, special scans (MRI scan, CT scan, Bone scan etc)

 

Who needs an X-ray or MRI Scan?

It is recommended that a X-ray or MRI scan if you are experiencing the following;  pain, have numbness or suffer from weakness or tingling.   In older patients, if you have difficulty in walking.  Other symptoms may appear, if you may have difficulty in passing motion/urine or have discomfort pain at night.

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Non-surgery back pain relief - adequate rest, good posture & habits, appropriate exercises, activity modification, medication, relieve pain, anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic / antidepressant, bone strengthening, relieve numbness, physical & occupational therapy,  spinal injections, acupuncture and TCM therapy

 

Who needs surgery?

Pain from nerve compression

Pain from spine instability

Not better with non-surgery treatment

 

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