Acute low back pain can be emotionally upsetting and physically uncomfortable. It can interfere with normal daily activities, job performance or sleep. Symptoms may include discomfort or pain in your lower back, limited flexibility, inability to stand straight, or burning pain or numbness that moves down one leg.

A common problem

According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases’ handout on “Health: Back Pain,” low back pain affects nearly 80 percent of adults at some time in their life. The pain may come on suddenly or gradually.

Low back pain is considered acute if it lasts for less than a few weeks. Poor muscle tone in the back and abdominal region, muscle tension or spasms, back sprains, ligament or muscle tears, or joint problems are common causes. Sometimes slipped disks can irritate nerves from the spinal cord, causing pain in the buttocks or legs, or numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs.

Getting help

A visit to your doctor is a good idea if your symptoms are severe, you have pain after a fall or injury, or the problem does not go away within a few days. If, in addition to low back pain, you also have problems controlling your bowel or bladder, or you feel weakness or numbness in your legs, call your doctor immediately.

Following your visit, your doctor may recommend one or a combination of the following:

• Over-the-counter medications to help relieve your symptoms;
  


• Prescription medications, if your symptoms are more severe;
  


• Chiropractic therapy; and/or
  


• Applying hot or cold compresses to the affected area.
  

In addition to discussing these treatment options, be sure to ask your doctor which activities you can do and which you should avoid.

Each person’s situation is unique, so work closely with your doctor, and if your low back pain doesn’t improve, call him or her again for further evaluation.

Source: CIGNA HealthCare Well-Being