Getting Your Back to Work

If you have had pain in your low back, you are not alone.  In fact, over eighty percent of adults will have back pain at some time. Back pain is the second most common reason for seeing a physician.  Therefore, it is not surprising that lots of things seem to put people at risk for back pain.  The long list includes: smoking obesity, getting older, being a female, sterenous types of work, sitting too much at work, stress at  work, disliking your job, and being depressed or anxious. 

The good news is that most of back pain does improve  after a few weeks.  One of the most common types of  low back pain is from muscular strain and sprain.  It probably is due to all the twisitng, turning, lifting, bending, slouching, and overall wear and tear on our backs.

After some questions and an examination, your health care provider can help you decide the best treatment plan for your back pain.  You may not need any additional tests.  Occasionally, an Xray or MRI scan will help determine a reason for the pain.

Medications and Physical therapy are often used to help with back pain.  Surgery is considered only in certain more severe conditions.      

To prevent back problems, don't smoke, maintain a healthy weight , and stay active with regular exercise.  And while you are at it, it won't hurt to find a job that you love and that does not require too much heavy lifting or too much sitting around.  Otherwise, make sure to practice safe lifting technique (using your legs for most of the work), and take frequent walking/ stretch breaks from your desk.    

Getting back to work sometimes takes a lot of work on your back.