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BACK PAIN IN ADULTS
Back pain is very common
and can affect 3 in 4 adults. Most bouts
ease and are not due to serious back
problems. The usual advice in most
people is to keep active and continue
normal activities as far as possible.
Painkillers i.e. anti-inflammatories are
usually helpful.
Self care:
Most cases of low back pain that develop
suddenly (acutely) are due to simple low
back pain. Many people just 'get on with
it' and treat it themselves - and indeed
most get better quickly.
Exercise and keep active:
Try to continue with normal activities
as far as possible. If you are on the
computer desk or watching TV, remember
to get up and walk around every 20mins
to prevent your muscles stiffening up.
Medication:
Simple analgesia is helpful such as
paracetamol (two 500mg four times per
day) with ibuprofen (400mg three times
per day). If you are unable to tolerate
ibuprofen tablets then using topical
medications such as balmosa or
transvasin can help.
If you feel you need stronger
medications please call the doctor who
may be able to issue a prescription.
Generally if your back pain has not
resolved after 4 weeks, it is
appropriate to be reviewed by a doctor.
Seek advice from the Doctor:
As a general guide, if any of the
following occur then it may indicate
that this is not simple low back pain,
and there may be a more serious
underlying cause such as a nerve root
problem (often referred to as “trapped
nerve”), or another disorder. Therefore,
tell a doctor if you have any of the
following:
• The pain first
develops under the age of 20 years
or over the age of 55 years.
• Pain travels to the chest, or is
higher in the back behind the chest.
• If the pain developed gradually,
and slowly gets worse and worse over
days or weeks. (Most cases of simple
low back pain occur acutely, that
is, suddenly.)
• In addition to back pain, you
have:
o Weight loss,
fever, or if you feel generally
unwell.
o Recent history of violent
trauma or injury to the back.
o You have or have had a cancer
of any part of the body.
o You have taken steroid tablets
for more than a few months.
o If you have a poor immune
system. For example, if you are
on chemotherapy or have
HIV/AIDS.
• If you are
unsure about any symptom.
Call the Doctor
urgently if in addition to back pain you
notice these new symptoms:
• Numbness (lack
of feeling) in part or parts of a
buttock, around the anus, or in a
leg or foot.
• Problems with
your bladder or bowels such as not
being able to pass urine or loss of
control (incontinence).
• Weakness of one
or both legs.
Evidence suggests that
the best way to prevent bouts of low
back pain is simply to keep active, and
to exercise regularly. This means
general fitness exercise such as
walking, running, swimming etc. There is
no firm evidence to say that any
particular 'back strengthening'
exercises are more useful than simply
keeping fit and active. It is also
sensible to be 'back aware'. For
example, do not lift objects when you
are in an awkward twisting
posture.
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