Pain in the lower spine is the most common cause of visits to the doctor. At least 70-80% of Americans will experience pain in the lower spine in their lifetime. Mostly it is the result of an injury such as muscle strains or sprains due to overuse of a muscle, twisting awkwardly, and lifting something heavy or improperly. It can also be the result of certain diseases such as:
- A ruptured or herniated disc
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Cancer of the spinal cord
- Kidney infections
Pain in the lower spine of the body usually occurs in individuals between the age of 30 and 50. Acute pain can last for a few days to a few weeks whereas chronic pain lasts longer than three months. In this article, we will discuss the treatments for lower back pain. You may also want to read; How to prevent lower back pain.
What are the treatment options for lower back pain?
- Care at home:
Self-care treatment method is helpful for the first 72 hours after the pain starts, but if it does not improve during this time duration, you should immediately call your doctor. Apply ice to the affected area and stop your physical activities for a few days. Your doctor also might suggest using ice for the first 72 hours, then switching to heat. Also follow the RICE protocol – rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
You can also take over-the-counter pain-relieving medication such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Mortin IB). Sometimes a massage or a warm bath can often relax stiff muscles in the back.
- Medical treatment:
As lower back pain can occur due to different conditions, therefore there are several medical treatment options available. These include:
- Oral medications
- Medical appliances
- Physical therapy
Your doctor will decide the appropriate required dosage of drugs and medications based on your symptoms. He/she may prescribe muscle relaxants, steroids to reduce inflammation, narcotic drugs for pain relief, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroid injections. The next step is physical therapy which includes stretching, massage, back, and spinal manipulation, and strengthening exercises.
- Surgery:
In several cases, when all other treatments fail, surgery is usually the only option left. However, in some patients, if there is neurological loss or loss of bladder control, surgery is an emergency option. Some surgery options include:
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- Discectomy: It relieves pressure from a nerve root pressed on by a bone spur or bulging disc.
- Foraminotomy: This procedure opens up the foramen, releasing the pressure on compressed nerves.
- Intradiscal electrothermal therapy: In this surgical procedure, your doctor will insert a needle through a catheter into the disc and heat it up for 20 minutes to relieve back pain.
- Nucleoplasty: This procedure removes inner disc material by using a device that is inserted through a needle into the disc.
- Spinal fusion: Your doctor removes discs between two or more vertebrae making the spine stronger.
- Laminectomy: It is also known as spinal decompression, it removes the lamina to enlarge the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
If you are in Los Angeles and looking for a spine specialist, Dr. Moksha Ranasinghe at Southern California Brain And Spine Surgery is one of the best options. She is a board-certified neurosurgeon. Schedule an appointment by visiting the website or call at (213) 369-4583.