Lumbago - Low back pain

Signs and Symptoms

Moderate to severe pain in the low back with no radiation to the leg

Description

The muscles and ligaments of the lumbar spine have been strained

Causes

This condition usually follows a lifting type of injury where the person is bent over and suddenly feels something go in the back and the pain comes immediately or within hours of the incident. There is usually swelling from the strain of the fibers of the back. These include muscles and ligaments.

Standard Treatment

RICE - which stands for rest, ice and possibly a support brace. This is accompanied by taking anti-inflammatory medications and at times a muscle relaxant. Failure to respond to this care is followed by physical therapy using ultrasound, muscle stimulation and then at times strengthening exercises if it is chronic.

AK Approach

In addition to most of the standard treatment, the structures of the back are tested to find the ones that were weak that allowed the injury to occur. Specific muscle therapies are used to reduce the spasm muscles and you are taught to do some of these at home. Manipulation is performed to align the pelvis and the lumbar spine to equalize the weight on the disc structures. Dietary recommendations to speed the healing and reduce inflammation are also considered.