Whenever I get to attend to clients, backpain is undoubtedly one of the commonest complaints. Sometimes I wonder if it’s the norm or I simply attract people suffering from backpain.
Approximately 40% of all people will complain of significant back pain some time in their life. About 95% of these cases resolve spontaneously within 6 weeks. Most cases of back pain go away on their own after a few days but if yours lasts more than a week, see a doctor. Usually the pain will be due to muscle strain or ligamentous sprain which heals with time with or without treatment.
A small proportion of acute back pain may have significant, serious pathology as its underlying cause. Examples include fracture, neoplasm, infection or other conditions that adversely affect a nerve (e.g. a disc between vertebrae bulge or burst open and presses on a nerve such as the sciatic nerve).
Some people complain of back pain after lifting heavy objects using an abnormal posture or sitting for long periods but several others may not remember any triggers.
Often the patient’s complaints and the doctor’s findings will clinch the diagnosis but your guess is as good as mine; the management/treatment is usually the same.
Laboratory tests are often not helpful except for the few cases where infection or neoplasm is a concern.
X-rays are not indicated in most cases of back pain, especially within the first six (6) weeks. It may only become necessary when pain persists, or there is concern for fracture, neoplasm, infection or other serious condition. Other studies that may be helpful are, Bone Scan, CT Scan or MRI.
The mainstay of management is:
Other Options for Management Include:
In general one may not need to see a doctor immediately with most brief episodes of back pain but if the following are associated with your pain then get to the hospital NOW!!!
Back pain is a major public health issue since it results in a substantial decrease in productivity and days lost from work.
Use the appropriate furniture at work and take occasional one-minute breaks to stand.
If you need to lift and bend often make sure you learn the proper posture.
DO NOT wait for BACK PAIN to strike, start a healthy life style today!!!! Everyone has one back and one back ONLY. We need to take very good care of it. Simply pamper your back.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – 1. “The most efficient way to reach your realistic health goals, is to make small healthy choices daily.”
References: