Vital Link | fall 2008

Don't Let Low Back Pain
Get You Down

The lower back is the most common site for back pain and injury. This area takes a beating from daily movements such as bending, stooping, sitting, and lifting.

Stretched or strained muscles and ligaments that support your spine are usually the culprit. The pain can range from dull and annoying to sharp and excruciating. Low back pain can also be caused by:

  • Arthritis of the spine
  • A herniated or ruptured disc in your spine.
This often pinches a nerve, also causing tingling down the buttocks and legs.

Conquering the Pain

Low back pain caused by strained muscles usually subsides in a few days or weeks, depending on the severity of the strain. You can take charge of your recovery by following these measures:
  • If you have swelling, apply an ice pack to your low back for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat every two hours as needed.
  • If you have no swelling or if swelling has subsided, apply a heating pad to your lower back for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat every two hours as needed.
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, naproxen, or ibuprofen.
  • If pain is manageable, keep moving!
  • Although a short period of rest—one to two days—may help ease minor pain, long periods of rest actually hamper recovery by weakening muscles.

When to Seek Help

If your lower back still hurts after following these self-care measures for three to four days, call your doctor. Notify your doctor immediately if you experience:
  • Radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or weakening in your arms or legs
  • Bowel or bladder problems
  • Fever or vomiting
Matthew Hannibal, M.D., is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in surgery of the spine. Dr. Hannibal attended medical school at Georgetown University. He completed his internship at Stamford Hospital in Connecticut, his residency in orthopedic surgery at St. Vincent Catholic Medical Center in New York, and his fellowship and residency in spine surgery at Stanford University in California. Dr. Hannibal has moved his practice to Caldwell County and joined Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists in Lenoir. All appointments with Dr. Hannibal are physician-referred. Physicians may make referrals at 828-758-7091. Carolina Orthopaedic Specialists is not a division of Caldwell Memorial Hospital.