Back pain - low

To test nerve function, the doctor will use a rubber hammer to check your reflexes. Touching your legs in many locations with a pin, cotton swab, or feather tests your sensory nervous system (how well you feel). Your doctor will instruct you to speak up if there are areas where the sensation from the pin, cotton, or feather is duller.

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Most people with back pain recover within four to six weeks. Therefore, your doctor will probably not order any tests during the first visit. However, if you have any of the symptoms or circumstances below, your doctor may order imaging tests even at this initial exam:

Pain that has lasted longer than one month
Numbness
Muscle weakness
Accident or injury
Fever
If you are over 65
You have had cancer or have a strong family history of cancer
Weight loss

In these cases, the doctor is looking for a tumor, infection, fracture, or serious nerve disorder. The symptoms above are clues that one of these conditions may be present. The presence of a tumor, infection, fracture, or serious nerve disorder change how your back pain is treated.

Tests that might be ordered include an X-ray, a myelogram (an X-ray or CT scan of the spine after dye has been injected into the spinal column), a CT of the lower spine or MRI of the lower spine.

Hospitalization, traction, or spinal surgery should only be considered if nerve damage is present or the condition fails to heal after a prolonged period.

Many people benefit from physical therapy. Your doctor will determine if you need to see a physical therapist and can refer you to one in your area. The physical therapist will begin by using methods to reduce your pain. Then, the therapist will teach you ways to prevent getting back pain again.

If your pain lasts longer than one month, your primary care doctor may send you to see either an orthopedist (bone specialist) or neurologist (nerve specialist).

Prevention:

Exercise is important for preventing future back pain. Through exercise you can:

Improve your posture
Strengthen your back and improve flexibility
Lose weight
Avoid falls

A complete exercise program should include aerobic activity (like walking, swimming, or riding a stationary bicycle) as well as stretching and strength training.

To prevent back pain, it is also very important to learn to lift and bend properly. Follow these tips:

If an object is too heavy or awkward, get help.
Spread your feet apart to give a wide base of support.
Stand as close to the object you are lifting as possible.
Bend at your knees, not at your waist.
Tighten your stomach muscles as you lift the object up or lower it down.
Hold the object as close to your body as you can.
Lift using your leg muscles.
As you stand up with the object, DO NOT bend forward.
DO NOT twist while you are bending for the object, lifting it up, or carrying it.