Lake Edge United Church of Christ

For Our Spirits and Minds: My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. -- Psalm 38:7

For Our Bodies: Low back pain can be seriously debilitating and, sadly, nearly all of us will experience it at some time in our lives. This pain can be acute (lasting less than 3 months), recurrent (the symptoms subside and then return; most people have at least one reoccurrence), or chronic (discomfort lasting longer than 3 months).

What causes this type of pain? Typically overuse, strain, or other injuries are the culprits. Aging also has its part here – bones and muscles tend to lose strength as we age, increasing our risk for injury. And the spongy discs between the vertebrae can suffer from wear and tear, and so provide little cushion for our spinal column. Other causes of pain include: herniated discs, arthritis, compression fractures, disease, and congenital deformities.

Symptoms vary widely from dull, sharp, or burning pain to stiffness and localized or generalized pain. A rare but very serious problem (caudia equina syndrome) presents with weakness and/or numbness in both legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control. This requires immediate medical attention.

How should low back pain be treated? For the first day or two we should rest in a comfortable position. Lying on our side with a pillow between our knees, or on our backs with a pillow or two under our knees can offer some ease. However, we don’t want to stay in one position too long. Every 2 or 3 hours we’ll want to take a short walk (say 10-20 minutes), and then rest again.

Over-the-counter meds should be used if needed. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) often are helpful. If using these drugs, we should be taking them on a scheduled basis for a day or two, to keep the discomfort under control. Some folks find heat or ice to the area for 10-15 minutes is useful (every 2-3 hours).

Walking and other forms of exercise should be part of our routine. We might want to visit the website www.aaos.org and search under the heading of “low back exercises” or “low back pain” for more information. Or we can view a video on back exercises by going to www.usatoday.com and searching under “low back exercises.”

Studies have not found “back belts” to be effective in reducing back injuries. They can, however, serve to remind us to use good techniques while lifting. Using good techniques, practicing good posture, watching our weight, wearing low-heeled shoes, sleeping on our sides on a medium-firm mattress, and frequently changing our positions while we work and play, are all useful in easing back pain and preventing injury.

Many people find acupuncture, massage, and chiropractics helpful, too. If our symptoms continue longer than 2 weeks, or if our pain is severe, we should seek medical care.

May our bodies heal, may we be spared searing pain, may we know peace.