Almost everyone feels lower back pain at least once in their life. Most often we ourselves are to blame for it, together with the way we live. To help yourself, listen to your body, keep a good posture and stay physically active.
Long hours of sitting, a hunched posture, no physical activity at all or, on the other hand, heavy physical work are just some of the causes of lower back pain, one of the most common health problems today.
“Lower back pain, or lumbago, is a condition of the body, a syndrome that shows up as pain in the lumbar part of the spine. The pain can be present at rest or during movement. It can start suddenly, as a result of a jolt, a sudden movement or heavy lifting, or gradually, as a result of long periods spent in bad positions (a bad mattress, a bad pillow, poor positions at work, such as the chair or the height of the computer…)”, explains physical therapist Dejan Spasić, adding that we spend two thirds of our lives sleeping and working, so this has to happen in positions that are as correct as possible.
It is estimated that as much as 80% of the population experience lower back pain at least once in their lives.
“The pain can sometimes be very sharp and unpleasant, and sometimes dull and deep. It all depends on the cause of the problem, and that has to be diagnosed. The treatment depends on the clinical picture, the intensity of the pain and mobility. First of all, listen to your body’s signals and find the position in which the pain is least, try stretching exercises (never strength exercises) up to the pain threshold, apply ice packs (for acute and sharp pain) and heat (for chronic pain)”, advises Dejan Spasić.
If the pain persists, you should see a doctor, who will assess how serious the situation is and, based on your medical history and the clinical picture, decide whether more detailed tests are needed or whether to prescribe physical therapy, medical massage, spinal mobilisation and manipulation, preventive exercises, anti-inflammatory therapy and the like, notes D. Spasić, who also warns of the signs of sciatica:
“This is pain that spreads along the whole leg, often down to the big toe, an inability to walk on your toes and heels, and numbness in part of the leg or the whole leg. The pain usually spreads from the outer side of the thigh over the calf to the big toe, and in that case you should definitely seek medical help straight away.”