Get Off My Back! Understanding Back Pain

I was vacuuming my stairs this past weekend, which involves lugging a heavy vacuum up and down stairs, bending and twisting to get into the corners and not surprisingly, a dreaded chore. Lo and behold, the next day, my back started hurting.

Low back injuries are common. They can range from minor: a stiff back which loosens up after moving around a bit; to severe: back pain that has you stuck in bed and gasping for breath if you cough or sneeze.

Most acute back injuries resolve on their own over a few days to a week. Rest, alternating hot/cold compresses, gentle stretches and anti-inflammatories (natural or over the counter) are the hallmarks of treatment.

Here is what I’m doing. I have been taking extra magnesium, antispasmodic herbs like passionflower, valerian and skullcap to help with the pain (although they do make me sleepy) and curcumin for inflammation. If the pain is still bothering me, I might take 2 ibuprofen or acetaminophen. I also apply arnica cream to the sore muscles.

I like to lie on my back with my knees drawn up to help stretch out the tight muscles or do the yoga pose, “Happy Baby” which feels good. An Epsom salt bath can help relax the muscles, if you can get into and out of the bathtub.

Of course, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, and chiropractic can all be very helpful for acute and even chronic low back pain.

But when do you need to worry about back pain? If you have an underlying condition like osteoporosis or cancer and you develop back pain, you should see your primary care physician, to rule out a fracture or metastatic disease into the spine.  If you have a fever or pain that persists or throbs, despite the above-mentioned treatments, then you could have something more serious going on. An infection in the kidneys or a vertebra can cause back pain.

If you have shooting pain or numbness that accompanies your back pain, then there maybe a nerve entrapment. If you have any issues with holding in your urine or stool or lifting your feet, this is an indicator that the spinal cord might be impinged. These require further work up.

And of course, if the back pain is not getting better after 7-10 days, then go get it checked out.

For chronic back pain, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy can also be helpful. Nutrients like magnesium, vitamin B12, curcumin, and fish oil can also help. Reducing sugar, processed foods will help with inflammation. But it’s important to know why your back is bothering you.

The good news for me is that my back pain is already improving, but I have to be mindful about lifting heavy things or overdoing it in the garden.

And just for consideration: sometimes back pain is a sign that you need to be more flexible in your life or perhaps you need some emotional support.

Dr. Jennifer Means welcomes you for Primary Care for the whole family: Nutrition, IV Therapy, Naturopathy, and Acupuncture. Contact us at 503-641-6400.