Page 90 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

88 COMMON CONDITIONS: HEAD, BACK, AND LIMB PROBLEMS

Lower back pain

Most sudden back pain is due to a sprain or a small tear in a
WARNING
muscle or ligament. You may have a nagging ache in your lower
back or a sharp, localized pain and stiffness due to a muscle spasm Seek immediate medical help if:
in the area. Sciatica is pain that travels through one buttock to the ● You have difficulty controlling
your bowels or bladder; tingling
leg and foot, sometimes with numbness, tingling, and weakness
and/or numbness in the anal or
in the leg. It is caused by trapping or irritation of the sciatic nerve, genital area; or muscle weakness
often due to a “slipped disk” between the bones of the spine. The ● Back pain follows an injury
usual causes of back pain and sciatica include lifting awkwardly
or sudden twisting, but factors such as poor posture, pregnancy,
and being inactive or unfit may make the back more vulnerable.

See your doctor first
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
Make an appointment to see your doctor if:
● You have symptoms of sciatica Moving without pain Getting out of
● Back pain has been developing slowly and bed awkwardly can cause sudden, painful twinges
is gradually getting worse when you have back pain. This sequence of
● You are losing weight or have a fever movements will get you on your feet with minimum
strain on your spine, so continue to use them even
when your back is no longer painful.
Lying flat on your back, bring your knees
What you can do yourself up to hip level and roll yourself slowly onto
1 your side, facing the edge of the bed.
An episode of back pain usually gets better within
a few weeks. Take these steps to ease pain, staying Swing your legs
as active as possible rather than resting in bed. to the edge of
2 the bed and lower
● If the pain is tolerable, try to continue normal your feet to the
activities as much as possible. Gradually increase floor. Use your
what you do each day, but don’t overdo things. arms to push
Stop any activity that makes the pain worse. yourself into a
sitting position.
● If the pain is so severe that you cannot move,
rest in bed for a day or two. As soon as you feel
able to do so, get out of bed and start moving,
even if it causes some discomfort.
Using your arms
● Your mattress needs to be firm, but not too hard.
and your leg
If you have an old, sagging mattress that does not 3 muscles to push
support your back, put a board under it. You will yourself up, slowly
probably find that lying on your side is more rise to a standing
comfortable than lying on your back. position. Reverse
the procedure
● While your back is painful, try to move in ways
when you get
that are less likely to bring on or worsen the pain back into bed.
(see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right).
● Take analgesics to relieve pain and stiffness
(see DRUG REMEDIES, opposite page).