Almost everyone suffers from low back pain at some point in their lives. Most recover in a few days, but for some the pain lingers and becomes chronic, making low back pain the world’s leading cause of disability. Most commonly, mechanical issues and soft-tissue injuries are the cause of low back pain. These injuries can include damage to the intervertebral discs, compressions of nerve roots, and improper movement of the spinal joints. The single most common cause of lower back pain is a torn or pulled muscle and/or ligament. A low back sprain or strain can happen suddenly or can develop slowly over time and repetitive movements. Strains occur when a muscle is stretched too far and tears, damaging the muscle itself. Sprains happen when over-stretching and tearing affect ligaments, which connect the bones together. Both Sprains and strains have similar symptoms and PT treatments are also similar.
What are the common causes of a low back sprain and low back strain?
- Lifting a heavy object, or twisting the spine while lifting
- Sudden movements that place too much stress on the low back, such as a fall
- Poor posture over time
- Sports injuries, especially in sports that involve twisting or large forces of impact
While sprains and strains do not sound serious and do not typically cause long-lasting pain, the pain can be quite severe.
Pain is considered chronic once it lasts for more than three months and exceeds the body’s natural healing process. Chronic pain in the low back often involves a disc problem, a joint problem, and/or an irritated nerve root.
Common causes include:
- Herniated Disc
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Facet Joint Dysfunction
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Spinal Stenosis
Why are some people able to recover quickly from low back pain?
For many, the answer may be early treatment with physical therapy, according to a new study by researchers at John Hopkins Medicine. The goal of the study was to determine if early PT for patients with lower back pain had an impact on their overall heath care resource utilization. They analyzed healthcare data from 2010 to 2014 for nearly a million U.S. adults with acute low back pain, excluding those suffering from serious disorders such as arthritis or spinal cord injuries. About 10% of the patients received early treatment with physical therapy. The study showed patients getting early PT were significantly less likely to see a chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, or pain specialist after 30 days than those who did not get physical therapy. They were also less likely to get advanced imaging, epidural steroid injections, or visit an emergency room. The researchers also estimate healthcare costs for a typical patient getting early PT was about $500 less over those 30 days than those not receiving physical therapy.
As the U.S. population ages, the prevalence of lower back pain is expected to increase, along with the associated costs of treating it. With advances in imaging and treatments, the cost of managing lower back pain today has also increased substantially. Additionally, previous studies have found that physical therapy and regular exercise significantly reduce low back pain.
Other studies also found little evidence to support the use of opioids, spinal injections, and acetaminophen for low back pain. The findings of this John Hopkins study may have important implications that could guide health care policy when examining downstream health care costs and resource utilization.
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