Ask around Orange, Lawrence, or Crawford County and you’ll have a hard time finding an adult who hasn’t thrown their back out at least once. Whether from lifting a feed sack, hoisting a grandchild, or simply bending over to pick up a dropped phone, back problems can come out of seemingly nowhere.

How common is it? Back pain is one of the top three reasons people call a doctor’s office, right alongside colds and the flu. Unlike a cold, back pain has a way of parking itself in the middle of your life until you can’t work, sleep, or sit through church without shifting uncomfortably in the pew.

Presently suffering from back pain? Here’s some good news. Most back pain is not a sign that something is seriously wrong. Here’s even better news: there’s a lot you can do about it.

Where back pain usually comes from

Here are a few facts to consider. The vast majority of back pain is what providers call “nonspecific,” meaning there’s no single dramatic injury behind it. Chronic pain usually traces to one of a few everyday sources:

• Muscle and ligament strain. Lifting in a wrong manner, twisting suddenly, or overdoing a weekend project. This is the most common culprit by far.
• Disc problems. The cushions between your vertebrae can bulge (or herniate) and press painfully on a nerve. That’s often the pain that seems to shoot down a leg.
• Wear and tear. Arthritis and the ordinary narrowing of spinal spaces that sometimes comes as people get older.
• How you spend your days. Long hours behind a steering wheel, on a factory floor, at a desk, or on your feet all shift. A weakness in core muscles and extra weight both raise the load your spine carries, creating a possible situation of resulting pain.

Typical symptoms are a dull ache or stiffness across the lower back, muscles that feel locked up, or pain that worsens with certain movements. Sometimes pain can seem to radiate into the buttock or down a thigh, accompanied by numbness.

When to call us

Most episodes of back pain improve on their own within a few weeks. But some symptoms are signals to be seen promptly. If these describe what you’re experiencing, don’t wait these out:

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs
• Any loss of bladder or bowel control
• Back pain following a fall, a crash, or another significant injury
• Fever, chills, or unexplained weight loss along with the pain
• Pain that wakes you from sleep or won’t ease when you lie down
• A history of cancer or osteoporosis
• Pain that isn’t improving after four to six weeks

Also call if the pain is simply keeping you from working or living your life. You don’t have to earn your way into an appointment through suffering.

Why timely examination is important

If the condition causing pain turns chronic, it is important to know that stress, poor sleep, and low mood can make it worse. So don’t wait if you’re in one of the above categories.

Preventing the next episode

Build core and hip strength through regular walking, swimming, and simple daily stretching. These all count. Also, don’t forget these tips: lift with your legs, keep the load close when carrying, and ask for help with the heavy stuff. Break up long stretches of sitting every 30 to 60 minutes. Work toward a healthy weight, sleep on a supportive mattress, and if you smoke, quit; tobacco reduces blood flow to the spine and slows healing.

Your back is worth taking care of. If yours is telling you something, talk with your medical provider. You can also call the SICHC office nearest you—we have six locations in Crawford, Lawrence, and Orange counties, and a nurse is on call after hours.

Board-certified in family medicine, Dr. Curtis Thill has been serving families in southern Indiana for more than 30 years.

The post Your back went out. Now what? appeared first on Southern Indiana Community Health Care.

It’s time for enjoying outdoor activities – and with increased activity comes the possibility of sprains and pain from overdoing it a bit. And speaking of pain, regardless of the season, many people regularly experience chronic back or joint pain, or occasional headaches, toothaches or mild fever. 

What do these all have in common? Much of the time we treat these conditions with over-the-counter (OTC) nonprescription pain relief medicines like aspirin, acetaminophen (trademarked brand name Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve).  All of these OTC medications also have variations that help promote sleep for people who experience pain (such as Advil PM, Tylenol PM and similar).

These OTC medications are generally available without a prescription. Physicians and providers often suggest them for mild conditions.

All of these pain relievers are common, but they are also all different. 

So, while all of these can provide welcome relief, it’s important to know what they are and what they do. Here’s a brief summary:

Aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Anacin, generic)

Aspirin, called the “wonder drug” by one manufacturer because of its ability to both reduce pain and inflammation and to possibly lessen risk of heart disease, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is widely used and is readily available nearly everywhere. Taken according to directions, aspirin reacts with your blood chemistry to reduce the effect of naturally occurring prostaglandins, which helps reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.

Aspirin also creates a blood-thinning effect. This, combined with its anti-inflammatory capacity, can be effective in reducing risks of heart issues. A drawback is that it also can cause uncomfortable stomach problems, heartburn, and other digestive issues.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol, generic)

Similar to aspirin, acetaminophen provides relief for mild-to-moderate pain (including moderate back pain) and fever reduction. A key difference is that it does not reduce inflammation (it is not an NSAID). This can limit its effectiveness for those suffering from a sprain injury or arthritis. Also, people should not drink alcohol while taking acetaminophen, as the combination can lead to severe liver damage. Acetaminophen is commonly included in branded remedies like Excedrin, Nyquil, Sudafed, Mucinex and Theraflu. Acetaminophen is also sometimes preferred for people with sensitive stomachs. It is generally regarded as safer for children than aspirin.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, generic)

Similar to aspirin, ibuprofen inhibits pain-transmitting and inflammatory-creating prostaglandins. Unlike acetaminophen (which works only in the brain), ibuprofen works throughout the body. Because of these qualities, ibuprofen (which, like aspirin, is an NSAID) is often recommended for arthritis and menstrual pain, as well as pain from sprains, headaches, back and muscle pain, and other common issues. It is generally less likely than aspirin to cause stomach upset.

Naproxen (Aleve, generic)

Like ibuprofen, naproxen is classified as a NSAID for its pain-reducing, anti-inflammatory effects. A key difference is that ibuprofen is generally faster-acting than naproxen, which makes it useful for dealing with acute pain. The effects of naproxen are longer-lasting than ibuprofen, which often makes the medication preferred for chronic pain and inflammatory conditions (like arthritis). But naproxen can cause stomach and related issues over time. 

Special note: because of research linking some NSAIDs to serious cardiovascular issues, many providers prefer acetaminophen as a first choice over ibuprofen, particularly in people older than 60. Also, all NSAIDs have been associated under certain conditions with kidney toxicity and allergic-type reactions. Anyone taking any OTC drug should be aware of potential side-effects.

While OTC medications can benefit us, it is important that they be taken according to directions. And always consult your provider if you’re experiencing chronic or lasting pain or inflammation. 

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