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How to Beat Back Pain

Sarah Brewer

by Dr. Sarah Brewer

A Nutritionist and Doctor

You’re lifting a heavy load, or just twist and stand awkwardly, and Aghhhh! Searing pain shoots through your lower back, and you collapse in agony. Or perhaps you just have an annoying twinge that limits your ability to enjoy life to the full. Most people suffer from back pain at some time during their life. You’re most likely to be affected if your work involves heavy lifting or carrying, or you spend long periods of time sitting in one position, or bending, but almost any day-to-day activity can bring it on – even sex!

Back pain is most commonly due to excessive strain on muscles, ligaments and small joints in the lower, lumbar region of the spine. As well as discomfort from the damaged tissues, surrounding muscles may go into spasm so pain and tenderness spread over a larger area. More severe symptoms occur if the soft, jelly-like centre of an intervertebral disc ruptures through the outer fibrous coating under pressure. This ‘slipped disc’ may press on the root of a spinal nerve to cause muscle weakness, pins and needles, spasm and pain in the back. If the sciatic nerve is irritated, pain shoots down the leg.

Signs that you need to seek urgent medical advice include:

  • weakness or numbness in one or both legs
  • severe pain causing immobility
  • pains shooting down the leg
  • difficulty with, or loss of bladder control
  • difficulty with, or loss of bowel control
  • numbness or pins and needles at the base of the spine or between the leg

If any of these symptoms occur, tell your doctor straight away. Back pain due to more than a minor injury or fall also needs investigation to rule out a fracture or slipped disc.

Lifting correctly

Recurrent backache can often be prevented by learning the correct way to lift:

  • stand close to the load, feet either side of it
  • squat down by bending at the knees and hips, keeping your back straight and upright
  • keep your elbows tucked in and grasp the object with your both hands (not your fingers)
  • lean forward slightly and, in one smooth action, straighten your hips and knees while lifting the object and holding it close
  • to lower a heavy load, reverse this action, keeping your back straight at all times
  • never combine bending and lifting

 Lifting correctly

To help avoid backpain

  • avoid excess stress which can make you subconsciously tense your back muscles 
  • lose any excess weight
  • exercise regularly to strengthen abdominal and spinal muscles 
  • improve your posture - keep your spine straight when walking, and avoid slouching your shoulders
  • sit correctly: keep square on the chair with your bottom well back and your spine upright; use chair arms to take some weight off your shoulders and lower back
  • wear flat or low shoes
  • sleep on a comfortable mattress that is not overly hard or soft, and use only one pillow

Self help

Non-specific back pain is usually treated with simple painkillers such as aspirin, paracetamol and codeine. Applying hot or cold compresses will also help, and if necessary, your doctor can prescribe muscle relaxants to reduce painful spasm. Bed rest is no longer recommended routinely as keeping active has been shown to get you back to normal daily life more quickly - early mobilisation is essential to stop your back seizing up. Manipulation from a chiropractor or osteopath is often the most effective treatment and should be performed as early as possible – preferably within six weeks of the original injury.

Devil's claw

Devil's claw has a natural anti-inflammatory pain-killing action and is a popular traditional herbal remedy for low back pain. Do not take if you have peptic ulcers.

 

Dr. Sarah Brewer

Dr Sarah Brewer is a fully qualified doctor, as well as a registered nutritionist and is the Editor of Yourwellness digital magazine. Read the latest edition of Yourwellness here. Download the free app and get your free copy sent each month via your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
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