Key Points About Low Back Pain
- Specific treatment for low back pain depends on the cause of the pain and the severity. But it often includes pain medicines and muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and assistive devices such as a back support. It also may include lifestyle changes such as stress reduction, weight loss, and increased physical activity.
- A back rehab program may be used as part of the treatment for low back pain.
- Measures to prevent back pain include using safe lifting techniques, maintaining correct posture, staying at a healthy weight, not smoking, and reducing stress.
Arthritis Of The Spine
Arthritis of the spine the slow degeneration of the spinal joints is the most frequent cause of lower back pain. All of us experience wear and tear as we age, and it is normal for your lower back to start acting up as you get older. As the cartilage breaks down between the spinal joints, surrounding tissues may become inflamed. The inflammation and the thinning of cartilage increase friction in the joints, which may cause pain in the lower back.
Reasons You Should Take Your Childs Back Pain Seriously
Back pain is common in older adults, but it isnt normally thought of as a childhood ailment. When your child complains of back pain, it may leave you wondering if its a simply a normal ache or if its time to see a pediatric spine specialist.
Like any ache or pain, it isnt uncommon for children to develop back pain. Fortunately, it normally isnt a sign of a serious condition. However, it is important to know if your childs back pain warrants a trip to a pediatric spine specialist. Here are four reasons you may want to take your childs back pain seriously.
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Who Should I See For Lower Back Pain
Your primary care physician knows you best and should be your first contact for lower back pain. If he or she is unable to diagnose or treat the issue, you may get referred to a specialist, such as a rehabilitation physician . These specialists practice a comprehensive approach to lower back pain, and can diagnose and treat a variety of conditions that have lower back pain as a symptom.
Later, you may get referred to a physical therapist, a chiropractor or another practitioner depending on the nature of your back pain. The good news is that surgery is rarely needed for lower back pain. Only about one in ten patients needs lower back surgery, Chhatre says.
Mechanical Lower Back Pain

Because it represents 97% of cases, mechanical low back pain deserves to be discussed first. To determine the factors that bring out the pain, the doctor will consider the following causes of mechanical low back pain:
- Spondylolisthesis .
- Osteoarthritis .
- Spinal stenosis .
Low back pain that gets worse with sitting may indicate a herniated lumbar disc . This is because certain positions of the body can change the amount of pressure that an out-of-place disc can press on a nerve. This is one reason we suggest to people with low back pain to periodically get up and stretch or walk around rather than continually stay sitting. Acute onset, that is, pain that comes on suddenly, may suggest a herniated disc or a muscle strain, as opposed to a more gradual onset of pain, which fits more with osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis.
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Examining Back Pain In Kids
Your childs doctor will first complete a physical examination of your child, which may include physical movements like bending to touch toes or twisting, and will ask several questions to determine the cause and location of the pain. Your childs doctor may also recommend additional tests, such as:
Once our pediatric spine specialists determine the specific injury or cause of your childs back pain, we may suggest treatment. Below are examples of treatment based on common sources of back pain in children:
Your Chiropractor Can Relieve Pain
You might be wondering if a chiropractor helps to treat lower back pain. The answer is yes! Lower back pain is the #1 reason people take time off from work. A fever is one of the most often ignored symptoms, with most people waiting it out or sweating it out. Combined, these two problems are your bodys way of telling you that something is wrong. Your chiropractor can help to diagnose your problem. Of course, if you need to see a different medical professional, your chiropractor can give you the referral of a trusted professional in your area.
After your diagnosis, your chiropractor will most likely do adjustments to relieve both the pain and open the nerve pathways so that the body will have increased communication with the problem area. This will also relieve one area of stress so you will feel more relaxed.
If the chiropractor deems it beneficial, you may also receive a chiropractic massage. Chiropractic massage has a wide range of benefits, including reducing stress, relieving low back pain, and reducing depression. This should also reduce your fever unless it is due to another issue.
If you are in pain, dont wait another day. Call Better Health Chiropractic Anchorage for a same-day appointment or, if you prefer, you can make an appointment online. We accept more than 100 different types of insurance and we will be more than happy to call to verify your coverage.
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Causes Of Fever & Back Pain
The combination of fever and back pain can be worrisome for a patient, since it is one of the patterns doctors look for when ruling out dangerous disorders such as cancer or infection. Fortunately, the most common cause of fever and back pain together is simply a coincidental occurrence of their most common individual causes, neither of which is a serious medical problem.
Inflammatory Lower Back Pain
Although comparatively few patients have low back pain due to a systemic inflammatory condition, the problem can be life long and can impair function significantly. The good news is that treatments can help essentially all patients, and can lead to major improvements.
Seronegative are a group of inflammatory diseases that begin at a young age, with gradual onset. Like other inflammatory joint diseases, they are associated with morning stiffness that gets better with exercise. Sometimes fusion of vertebrae in the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine occurs. Drugs called TNF-alpha blocking agents, which are used for rheumatoid arthritis, are also used to treat the stiffness, pain, and swelling of spondyloarthropathy, when the cases are severe and not responsive to traditional medications
People who have spondyloarthropathy have stiffness that is generally worst in the morning, and have decreased motion of the spine. They also can have decreased ability to take a deep breath due to loss of motion of the chest wall. Its important for the physician to look for problems with chest wall expansion in patients with spondyloarthropathy.
syndrome is one of the forms of spondyloarthropathy. It is a form of arthritis that occurs in reaction to an infection somewhere in the body, and it carries its own set of signs and symptoms. The doctor will look for:
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Back Pain And Fever: Should I Be Worried
Nothing quite compares with waking up one morning and discovering that, not only is your lower back killing you, youve got body aches. You feel the chills and you just know that you are coming down with the flu or a fever. Great, back pain and the flu, just what you need, right?
After checking your temperature, you find that you do indeed have a fever but no other symptom, other than that annoying back pain. Then you start to wonder are these two items related? Could this be a sign of something serious?
There are many sources of pain in the back, even an inflamed set of muscles from playing too hard with the kids can set you up for back pain. The fever, however, unless you are certain that you have the flu, is another issue that may or may not be related.
Back pain without a fever is often one of the signs you have a misaligned spine.
Dont Ignore Any Warning Signs Your Body Sends You If You Spot Any Of These Six Conditions Make Sure To Take Medical Advice As Soon As Possible
Most of us are less likely to seek medical attention thinking that any nagging problem will settle on its own. However, if you wait too long, these may result in serious complications.
We are not suggesting that every time you have mild headache or a stuffy nose, you run to a doctor. However, if you spot any of these 6 signs, it is time to pay a visit to your doctor.
Your muscles are sore for more than a week
If youve recently done some heavy physical activity, then soreness of muscles is normal. And it will settle on its own. However, if youve been feeling soreness for more than a week, it could be an indication of something more serious. Although very rare, intense exercise may cause rhabdomyolysis, which if left untreated can cause permanent kidney damage.
You have chronic lower back pain
While most often than not lower back pain settles on its own with some rest. However, if the pain is so bad that you cant even rest, then its time to visit a doctor and get it checked. And if the pain lingers for beyond 6 weeks, it is best to get another opinion. Pain or tingling down one leg or other can indicate a slipped or herniated disk.
You have a fever over 102 degrees
You have intense, abnormal headaches
You have sharp, shooting stomach pain
You cant sleep
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When To See A Doctor
If youve suffered from back pain before, you know it might go away on its own with rest and self-care measures. But with a spinal infection, your symptoms likely wont get better with rest.
Although unrelieved back pain doesnt always mean you have a spinal infection, you should seek help if your pain doesnt go away within a week. There are other signs that alert you to the need for medical care, including:
- Severe pain at night
- Back pain with weight loss
- Weakness or tingling
- Pain down your legs
Other more serious concerns that mean you need emergency treatment include loss of bowel or bladder control or pain after significant trauma like a car accident.
The sooner you seek treatment for your back pain, the better the outcome. If your pain goes untreated and its the result of some kind of infection, that infection could spread to other parts of your body.
Back pain isnt something you want to mess around with. If you need help, our Highland, Indiana, office or schedule an appointment through our online system today.
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How Is Low Back Pain Treated

Treatment may include:
- A prevention program
- Assistive devices
Rehabilitation is often a part of treatment for low back pain. Generally, there are 3 phases of low back pain rehab.
- Acute phase. During this initial phase, the physiatrist and treatment team develop a plan to reduce the initial low back pain and source of inflammation. This may include using ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or specialized injections.
- Recovery phase. Once the initial pain and inflammation are better managed, the rehab team focuses on helping you return to normal daily activities while starting a specialized exercise program to regain flexibility and strength.
- Maintenance phase. In this phase, you will learn ways to prevent further injury and strain to the back. You will also learn how to start a fitness program to help further increase strength and endurance.
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Ready To Address Your Back Pain
The University of Maryland Spine Network can help you put your pain behind you. With convenient locations throughout the state, the UM Spine Network is home to the region’s leading spine surgeons and specialists that can help you identify the source of your pain and put an end to it for good.
Put an end to your back pain. Find a spine specialist near you.
In This Section:
How Common Is Lower Back Pain
Two out of every three adults suffer from low back pain at some time. Back pain is the #2 reason adults visit a doctor and the #1 reason for orthopedic visits. It keeps people home from work and interferes with routine daily activities, recreation, and exercise. The good news is that for 9 out of 10 patients with low back pain, the pain is acute, meaning it is short-term and goes away within a few days or weeks. There are cases of low back pain, however, that take much longer to improve, and some that need evaluation for a possible cause other than muscle strain or arthritis.
Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and/or range of motion, or an inability to stand straight.
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Can Covid Start With Back Pain
Although physicians are still learning about the effects of COVID-19, back pain alone isn’t usually a symptom of COVID-19. However, if you have general muscle aches, headache, fever, chills, cough or shortness of breath along with back pain, it is possible that you could be dealing with a COVID-19 infection.
When Should I Go To The Er For Upper Back Pain
Upper and middle back pain, in most cases, does get better with time and rest. If your back pain is unrelenting and not relieved by rest, you should immediately visit the closest emergency department. If the pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, you should also seek emergency care: Fever.
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Fever And Chills With Back Pain
Back issues are often accompanied by fever or chills. Fever may signal an infection, which requires treatment as quickly as possible.
No matter how mild lower back pain may be, if it is coupled with chills or a feverish feeling, it deserves medical attention before it becomes worse. This pain may also be accompanied by unexpected and abrupt weight loss.
What Are Some Symptoms Of Back Pain During Pregnancy
The symptoms of back pain during pregnancy are very similar to the symptoms of back pain prior to pregnancy. Some of the symptoms include:
- Pain in the center of your back
- Pain above or at the sides of the waistline
- Pain over the pubic bone
- Pain in the buttocks or thighs
- Pain that can radiate to the legs
- Stiffness or discomfort after sitting or standing for long period of time
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How To Fix Lower Back Pain In Women
The treatment of low back pain depends on the underlying cause, which is yet another reason why you should schedule an appointment and see the doctor for symptoms you experience. The doctor evaluates each patient, assesses your health status and physical activity level and recommends different tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms in order to make an accurate diagnosis.
In cases when lower back pain is associated with other health conditions, then treatment for that problem can also help alleviate pain and discomfort. Depending on the diagnosis, patients have different treatments to try, but a combination of different approaches seems to be the most effective.
When it comes to lower back pain, youre not helpless. There are many things you can do to alleviate pain and discomfort and improve quality of life. Here are some treatment options even your doctor will recommend:
Muscle Injury Damage And Death

Individuals who overwork the muscles can be particularly prone to a condition called rhabdomyolysis. This is characterized by the death of muscle tissue usually as the result of very strenuous activity.
The muscles of the back are some of the most utilized muscles in the body. Simple activities like standing, sitting, walking, and other, seemingly mundane postural actions all require the engagement of the lower back muscles. Combine this with demanding activities like heavy lifting and muscle injury and subsequent damage are certainly a risk.
Individuals who are most at risk of this type of overworking the back muscles are athletes and manual laborers who are consistently pushing their muscles to their limits.
If the muscles are overworked, not only can this lead to back pain and even fevers, but the tissues can die and breakdown, resulting in a release of toxins throughout the system. These toxins and muscle break-down products then enter the bloodstream which can significantly burden the kidneys. This can lead to kidney damage and in severe cases, potentially even kidney failure,
Treatment of rhabdomylosis depends on the severity of the case. In minor cases, the condition can be addressed with rest and fluid intake to help normalize the blood chemistry. In severe cases that lead to kidney damage, however, hospitalization may be necessary.
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