Approximately 80% of adults will have low back pain at some point in their life. The majority of these patients will have self-limiting conditions that will likely resolve with conservative treatment only.
Conservative treatment usually involves anti-inflammatory medication, muscle relaxers, and physical therapy. Studies have shown that narcotic medications have no benefit over anti-inflammatory/muscle relaxer combination in terms of a speedier recovery time. This is a common and growing concern for patients. With the amount of narcotic medications prescribed in the U.S., patients believe that a pain pill will cure their condition. However literature shows this is not the case with acute low back pain Narcotic type medications may numb the pain, but have no effect on the underlying condition.
Activity and bed rest has also been a major question in the treatment of acute low back pain. It is now well accepted that earlier mobilization leads to a faster recovery. In the past, bed-rest was often prescribed. Clinical trials have suggested that patients placed on bed rest have a significantly longer recovery time than those who began earlier mobilization. One study found increasing activities as tolerated reduced the amount of work missed by 45%. Consequently, activity modification is now the preferred method of treatment for those with low back pain without radiating type symptoms. In summary, stay active rather than rest in bed. Don’t let your low back pain cost you time and money.
About The Author: Derek N. Morrow, PA-C is a physician assistant with Prairie Spine and Pain Institute. Derek works in the clinic setting as a health care provider seeing patients. He is also utilized in the operating room as a first assist in surgery. In the clinic setting, his key function is to diagnose new patients and conduct their initial treatment. He works directly with patients to establish customized treatment programs and to monitor their progress. He also conducts history and physical evaluations for many patients. He performs many office procedures including trigger point injections, large joint injections, and bursa injections, all with the help of ultrasound guidance. He is radiologically trained, and uses his knowledge of X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI, CT, and EMG-Nerve Conduction Studies to establish a diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment. Derek is surgically trained and plays a vital role in the procedures we perform at Prairie Spine and Pain Institute.