Acute Lower Back Pain is the first 24 hours to the first week of back pain. There may also be pain in the legs, hips or buttocks.
Causes
- Annular Tears – tears in the outer 1/3 of the disc which increase the probability of disc bulges and herniations.
- Disc Bulge/herniation – an actual bulging of the disc in one area.
- Facet joint sprain or locking – partial tearing of the ligaments surrounding the facet joints in the spine, or facet joints actually locking or being limited in their normal motion.
All of these conditions contribute to muscle spasms, since muscle spasming is the body’s way of protecting itself when something in the spine is injured or not functioning properly.
Treatment
- Ice – always on acute injuries of any type.
- No Heat – causes increased inflammation in acute injuries.
- Directional Exercise – to reduce disc involvement and inflammation.
- Modalities (passive physical therapy) – to decrease inflammation and muscle spasming.
- Spinal Decompression – to decompress discs, reduce bulges, assist healing and ensure proper tissue reformation.
- Mobilization – improves and increases joint mobility in the spine including facet joints.
Treatment should progress into a more specific exercise program for directional exercise and stabilization.
Be wary...
Medication can cover up the existing mechanical cause of your condition, and rehabilitation that doesn’t include specific and extensive exercising, plus instruction on how to manage pain when not in the clinic won’t solve problems of pain.