Dear Readers,
L.W. is a 38-year-old truck driver, who lives in Kingston. He contracts his truck to a local business and works with two other employees, who load and offload goods, daily, during deliveries. At times, he has to assist with the lifting. His complaint is that, since late last year, he has lower back pain, which he feels in the small of his back when he bends over, when driving and when sitting, anywhere, for long periods.
L.W. takes Panadol and Cataflam for the back pain and says that he experiences some relief when taking the pills. However, over the last few months, the pain recurs often.
Uncomplicated lower back pain is a common complaint, as up to 80 per cent of adults suffer from this at some point in their lives. Typically, the pain seems to be lodged in the small of the back, below the waist. It remains localised to the lower back area and does not spread.
Severe debilitating pain
The pain can occur after simple household chores such as mopping the floor, squatting and bending to work in the garden, or even after simply coughing. It can gradually develop as a nagging, recurring pain or can occur suddenly as a severe debilitating pain which limits movement.
Back pain is often worse with sitting, as this increases pressure on the lower-back muscles. This type of back pain is muscular and often affects people, who are out of shape and who don't exe-rcise regularly. People who are out of shape are often at risk of back pain when they do decide to exercise. When lax muscles are used to perform athletic tasks, they often cannot respond adequately, resulting in painful muscle spasms. Truck drivers often sit for long periods of time and then have to lift weights. Nurses have to lift and turn patients. Many of these very busy people do not find the time to exercise and keep in shape.
Large-breasted women
A sudden wrong move can result in a strained (pullet) or torn muscle, leading to painful muscle spasm. One very common cause of back pain and back muscle strain is the improper method used to lift objects. It is much better to stoop with a straight back rather than to bend over to lift an object. Stooping, with a straight back, protects the lower back and transfers the strain to the leg muscles where as bending over puts the entire burden of lifting the object on the lower back. Lower back pain also occurs in people when their mattress is too soft or when they sit at work in an uncomfortable chair, which is not the correct height for the desk. It is also experienced by truck drivers and bus drivers due to poor posture. Overweight individuals and large breasted women can also experience back pain due to the body's effort to compensate for the condition. Overweight people also often have weak abdominal wall muscles which can also contribute to back pain. Pregnant women commonly experience lower back pain, as their spine attempts to compensate for the burden carried in front.
Back pain can be treated
There are other very significant disorders, which can also cause back pain and should be checked if back pain persists. Bone and skeletal disc disease, nerve compression, osteoarthritis and other muscular and ligament diseases can all cause back pain.
Back pain can be treated with over the counter painkillers such as Panadol, Tylenol, Advil, et cetera but, if these don't work, Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Analgesic Drugs (NSAIDS) can be prescribed to reduce both pain and inflammation.
Cataflam, Voltaren, NISE, Feroene and Indamethacin are some of these drugs. The Cox 11 inhibitors, such as Celebrex and Mobic, are also used to relieve muscle pain. For severe back pain, a narcotic drug can be added after a doctor's ass-essment. Example, Codeine or Trammel, Cetadine. Muscle relaxants such as Scutamil C., Mydacalm and Parapon can also be used to reduce the painful muscle spasms. Physiotherapy is also very useful to relax spasmed back muscles and reduce pain. The physiotherapist can also teach the individual special exercises to strengthen the lower back muscles and prevent the condition recurring.
When back pain persists, see your family physician and have it investigated.
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Kingston 8
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