Low back pain? Keep moving

Low back pain is the second most common reason, after the common cold, for visiting a primary care doctor, generating more than 2 million consultations every year.

What is low back pain?

Low back pain is defined as “pain located between the lower edge of the ribs and the lower edge of the buttocks, whose intensity varies depending on posture and physical activity”. It is generally mechanical in nature, usually accompanied by painful limitation of movement, and may or may not be associated with referred or radiating pain.

There is currently no specific classification of low back pain. Its prognosis varies depending on several factors:

• Time since onset. Depending on how long the symptoms last, three categories can be established:

– Acute: pain lasting less than 6 weeks

– Subacute: pain lasting 6–12 weeks. In this type, we must keep in mind the factors that make the condition likely to become chronic: clinical (duration longer than a month), psychosocial (stress) or occupational (prolonged temporary sick leave)

– Chronic: pain lasting more than 12 weeks.

• Number of episodes. How many times have you had it? Not all cases become chronic; however, one year after an episode of acute low back pain, one in five patients goes on to develop chronic pain.
• Origin. According to its cause, low back pain can be classified into the following origins:

-traumatic (in the case of a blow or fall)

-mechanical (related to poor posture, significant or moderate physical effort in our daily activity, overload, etc.)

-non-specific (includes all cases where the specific cause of the pain is unknown, or even a combination of several factors)

-inflammatory (related to autoimmune-based diseases and family history)

What general treatment measures can we take?

• Rest/activity

Relative rest should only be recommended for the first 48 hours if the pain is disabling. There is sufficient scientific evidence that prolonged rest does not improve the prognosis; instead, it leads to a loss of physical fitness.

On the other hand, there is evidence that activity contributes to a reduction in symptoms and helps prevent low back pain from becoming chronic.

• Education

Providing information about the condition and its usual course towards resolution in a short period of time (90% resolve spontaneously within 4 weeks) is essential to encourage activity, take the drama out of the situation and help speed up recovery.

Add routines and habits that support a good prognosis for the injury, such as load management, therapeutic exercise guided by a physiotherapist and good postural habits.

• Removing risk factors and modifying activity
  Temporarily avoid activities that place mechanical overload on the lumbar spine. It is also advisable to stay active, taking into account your overall health and the demands of your job or daily activity.

In addition, at Akro we can help you improve this condition with dry needling and manual therapy, INDIBA® and therapeutic Pilates. Don't hesitate to ask us about your case: prevention and professional care are always the best choice.

We look forward to seeing you! 🙂