Acute Low Back Pain

Acute low back pain is one of the most common reasons that we see patients in the office. Typically, patients present to the office with severe debilitating back pain. They have difficulty standing, and any movement causes severe pain in their low back. Typically they don’t have any numbness or tingling down their legs.

The severe pain is due to damage in the muscles and ligaments in the back and the resulting spasms. The spasms is what is causing the severe debilitating pain.

Oftentimes, the pain is precipitated by a known injury such as lifting or twisting. Other times it can be due to just a benign movement such as bending over to pick something up, or reaching up into a cabinet, or even rolling over in bed.

In the absence of any neurologic complaints such as weakness or tingling in their legs, this is typically managed with conservative measures. Typically we recommend using ice for the first 24-48 hours, and using anti-inflammatory medications. Occasionally we’ll prescribe physical therapy and chiropractic treatment.

The pain typically will subside within several days, and most patients are feeling quite a bit better by 2 weeks.

Typically, in the absence of any numbness or tingling, or any weakness, imaging of the spine is typically not required.

Although the pain initially can be quite severe and debilitating, this typically is a process that will get better, on its own, with conservative measures.