Back Pain - First Response

What should you do when you back goes out? Common concern for those of us who have suffered from low back pain. The initial phase is incredibly painful and it hurts with all movement.

The common tendency is to lie in bad and avoid all movement. And sometimes, when the pain is bad and the spasm so severe, this is literally all you can do until some of the acute symptoms subside a bit. However, it is not he ideal treatment for the low back. In general, you want to try to keep the back loose as much as you can. Using ice and heat to control pain and inflammation and reduce spasms is an excellent approach at home, and typically is something you might have on hand. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications (for example ibuprofen or naproxen) can help to reduce inflammation and decrease the pain. Gentle stretches can help keep the back loose as well. Pulling a knee to check and holding it for a minute, rotating bent knees back and forth in a pain free range can also be helpful. Basically any gentle movement that does not provoke back pain is an excellent way to keep the back moving.

Once you can move around more comfortably, I strongly recommend Physical Therapy. It will help to manage pain and inflammation, strengthen the low back to help prevent the re-occurrence of low back injury. After your low back goes out it is more likely to do so again without addressing the problem. Improving mobility, strength and function is the goal of every Physical Therapy program. It can make the difference for your back health!