Commonly, acute back pain radiates across the lower back and sometimes down towards the thigh. A more serious problem may be indicated if a patient experiences numbness, tingling sensations, clumsiness or has trouble controlling the bladder or bowels. If the pain is in the buttocks and radiates down to the calf, it may indicate a pinched nerve that requires surgery, said Bolesta. The real key for back pain is not to spend a great deal of time in bed lying around. Rest two to three days and, as you start improving, start going back to modified activities.
Back pain is considered chronic when it has lasted more than three months.
At this point, treatment should encompass the individuals' overall life as well as the back injury. This must be treated. The McDermott Center and the new UT Southwestern Pain Treatment Clinic at Doctors Hospital offer a range of rehabilitative, procedural, psychotherapeutic and medical treatments to treat chronic pain. Even if they still have a degree of pain, they may be more functional and have a better quality of life. To prevent back pain, individuals should avoid lifting while twisting, bending forward or reaching, keep all lifted objects close to the body, and stay in shape.