SGBP Final 4

TEN ACTION POINTS FOR SEVERE BACK PAIN

1 If the pain is intense, stop doing whatever you are doing. Find a comfortable position or lie down. to sit

2

Severe back pain warrants a visit to your doctor or an orthopod. If you can’t go to the clinic

arrange for the doctor to come and see you. Look for any of the red flags that we discussed

earlier. Obviously if any red flags are present, your doctor will advise accordingly. This may

mean surgery.

3

If there are no bladder or bowel problems; numbness and tingling in the toes; inability to

move your toes; changes in gait or slowing down or absent leg reflexes, you do not have

any red flags. Obtain a prescription for anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen

and/ or a muscle relaxant.

4

You may need to reduce your activity for a SHORT while. Bed rest for more than a day or

two usually does more harm than good. Stay active and continue with your normal routines

as far as possible.

5 Use ice packs for a couple of days followed by heat treatment.exercises. Set into practice all the preventive measures discussed.^ Start^ simple stretching

6 If the pain is still not gone, recheck for any red flagschanging the medication. ,^ go back to your doctor^ and then try

7

Before going for any alternative treatment (spinal manipulation, acupuncture, lumbar

traction, etc.), make sure that it is OK to do so. If in doubt check with your doctor. Some

therapies, especially spinal manipulation may be dangerous in certain spinal disorders.

Others may simply be a waste of time and money.

8

Invasive treatments (facet joint and epidural injections) should be resorted to after all of the

above have been tried. It should be done by an orthopod or pain specialist and should

provide temporary relief for a few months.

9

Irrespective of the method used for relief of pain, start doing the exercises listed in this

book. At the same time set into practice all the preventive measures that we have

discussed.

10

In longstanding or chronic back pain of more than 3 months, active rehabilitation is highly

recommended to improve lost function and relieve the pain. This may be done at home or

in a specialized orthopedic rehabilitation unit.

THINK POSITIVE ALWAYS HOWEVER SEVERE OR LONGSTANDING THE PAIN