Low back pain

Introduction
Low back pain affects 60 - 80% of the adult U.S. population. Low back problems affect the spine's flexibility, stability, and strength, which can cause pain, discomfort, and stiffness.

Signs and Symptoms

-Tenderness, pain, and stiffness in the lower back
-Pain that radiates into the buttocks or legs
-Difficulty standing erect or standing in one position for a long time
-Discomfort while sitting
-Weakness and leg fatigue while walking

What Causes It?

Low back pain is usually caused by strain from lifting, twisting, or bending. However, in some cases low back pain can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as an infection, a rheumatic or arthritic condition, or an ovarian cyst.
A ruptured or bulging disk, the strong, spongy, gel-filled cushions that lie between each vertebra, and compression fractures of the bones in the spine can also cause low back pain, especially in older women with osteoporosis.
Poor overall fitness, smoking, and general life dissatisfaction increase a person's risk for low back problems.

What to Expect at Your Provider's Office

Your doctor will ask you to stand, sit, and move. He or she will check your reflexes and perhaps your response to touch, slight heat, or a pinprick. Other tests may include strength testing on a treadmill, blood tests, x-rays, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and computed tomography (CT) scan.

Treatment Options

Lifestyle changes can often help relieve and prevent low back pain. You can lower your risk of back problems by exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and practicing good posture. Learning to bend and lift properly, sleeping on a firm mattress, sitting in supportive chairs, and wearing supportive shoes are other important factors.
For long-term back pain, your doctor may recommend stronger medications or surgery.
Medications used to treat low back pain include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, and oral or epidural steroids that reduce inflammation

Complementary and Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapies can be effective for easing muscle tension, correcting spinal imbalances, relieving discomfort, and averting long-term back problems by improving muscle strength and joint stability

Nutrition

-B-complex: B1 (50 to 100 mg), B2 (50 mg), B3 (25 mg), B5 (100 mg), B6 (50 to 100 mg), B12 (100 to 1,000 mcg), folate (400 mcg per day) helps reduce stress and pain.
-Vitamin E (400 IU per day), vitamin C (250 to 500 mg twice daily)
-Calcium (1,500 to 2,000 mg) and magnesium (700 to 1,000 mg) to regulate muscle contraction and ease spasm
-Bromelain: (250 to 500 mg three times per day on an empty stomach) anti-inflammatory, works especially well with turmeric

Herbs

You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Teas should be made with 1 tsp. herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Mix three to six of the following (one cup tea or 30 to 60 drops of tincture three to six times per day).

-Relaxants: Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) relaxant; petasites (Petasites hybridus), acute muscle spasm, not for long-term use; valerian (Valeriana officinalis), antispasmodic, especially with sleeplessness; wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), antispasmodic, especially with joint pains and long-term stress; turmeric anti-inflammatory, especially with digestive problems; Jamaica dogwood (Piscidia piscipula), relaxant
-Pain relief: White willow bark (Salix alba), anti-inflammatory and analgesic; devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), analgesic, anti-inflammatory; St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), anti-inflammatory
-Circulatory stimulants: rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis), especially with digestive problems; gingko (Ginkgo biloba), especially with poor circulation
-Topical treatment may be helpful for acute problems. Mix 1 to 2 drops of essential oil or 5 to 10 drops of tincture into 1 tbsp. vegetable oil, and rub into the affected area. St. John's wort for nerve pain; leopard's bane (Arnica montana) anti-inflammatory, external use only; lobelia (Lobelia inflata) antispasmodic

Homeopathy

Some of the most common remedies for this condition are listed below:
-Aesculus for dull pain with muscle weakness
-Arnica montana, especially with pain as a result of trauma
-Colocynthis for weakness and cramping in the small of the back
-Gnaphalium for sciatica that alternates with numbness
-Lycopodium for burning pain, especially with gas or bloating
-Rhus toxicodendron for stiffness and pain in the small of the back

Hydrotherapy

Contrast hydrotherapy may help. Alternate hot and cold applications. Alternate 3 minutes hot with 1 minute cold. Repeat three times to complete one set. Do two to three sets per day.

Castor Oil Packs

Apply oil directly to skin, cover with a clean soft cloth and plastic wrap. Place a heat source over the pack and let sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Repeat this procedure for 3 consecutive days

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