Low Back Strain

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Low back strain is an injury to the lower back muscles or ligaments (tissues holding bones together). The lower back supports most of your body weight and is involved with moving, twisting, and bending. Lower back strains more commonly occur if you need to lift or pull heavy items frequently.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines: These medicines are also called NSAIDs. They help decrease pain and swelling. They can be bought without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems if they are not taken correctly.
  
  
• Muscle relaxers: When your muscles relax, you may move more easily and have less pain.
  
  
• Pain medicine: You may be given medicine to take away or decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before taking your medicine.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Activity:

• You may be told to rest in bed for 3 to 5 days if your back injury is severe. This will decrease the pain and help the injury heal faster. Ask about positions that may decrease back pain when you lie down.
  
  
• Avoid activities that make the pain worse, such as picking up heavy things. When the pain decreases, begin normal, slow movements as directed.
  
  
• After your symptoms have improved, exercises that strengthen your back muscles may help prevent further problems. Before you exercise, ask about exercises that will not cause further injury to your back. Walking, stationary biking, and swimming are good exercises. Avoid exercises that put strain on your back, such as rowing.

Physical therapy:

You may need to see a physical therapist to teach you special exercises. These exercises help improve movement and decrease pain. Physical therapy can also help improve strength and decrease your risk for loss of function.

Prevent another low back injury:

Good posture and correct lifting methods will decrease the risk that you will injure your back again. You can injure your back if you lift or pick up objects the wrong way, no matter how light the object. The following are good ways to keep from hurting your back again:

• Change your position often when you stand for long periods of time. Rest one foot on a small box or chair, and then switch to the other foot often.
  
  
• Do not sit for long periods of time. If you must, always sit in a straight-backed chair with your feet flat on the floor.
  
  
• Never reach, pull, or push while you are sitting.
  
  
• When you pick things up, bend at the hips and knees. Never bend from the waist only. Use bent knees and your leg muscles as you lift the load. Do not use your back.
  
  
• As you lift the object, keep it close to your chest. Try not to twist or lift anything above your waist. Do not reach above your waist for long periods of time.

Follow up with your primary healthcare provider as directed:

Write down any questions you may have so you remember to ask them at your follow-up visits.

Contact your primary healthcare provider if:

• You have back pains that go to your buttocks, groin, or legs. The groin is the area where your upper leg and lower abdomen meet.
  
  
• Your symptoms do not go away with medicines.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, medicines, or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have increased swelling, pain, or redness in your lower back.
  
  
• You have trouble moving your legs.
  
  
• Your legs feel numb or you cannot feel them.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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