Low back pain interferes with work, daily activities, and physical activity. Four out of five adults will experience some level of low back pain during their lifetime. Take this true/false quiz with eight questions to see how much you know about low back pain. After each question, you will find out if your answer is correct or incorrect. Information regarding ways to prevent and/or manage low back pain will be provided.

Wear and tear causing changes in the disks of the low back is the most common cause of low back pain.

Actually, muscle strain or sprain in the low back is the most common reason for low back pain. The muscles of the lower back provide the needed strength for daily activities such as standing, walking, and lifting. Often, low back pain occurs when these muscles are in poor condition and a forceful movement or overuse causes injury.

Usually low back pain improves within a few days, but if it continues after 72 hours, you should contact your physician.

Most cases of low back pain are caused by a mild injury and the pain disappears with home treatment. However, should your low back pain last several days and continue to be constant and intense, contact your physician. Symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or tingling in one or both legs, or symptoms including abdominal pain or bowel and bladder problems, should be communicated to your physician.

When low back pain begins after minor injury, you may first apply cold treatment followed by heat treatment.

Experts recommend using cold compresses first after low back injury to reduce pain, inflammation, and help restore function to the lower back. A bag of ice, wrapped in a cloth, should be applied several times until spasm and acute pain subside. At this point, a heat lamp or heating pad may be used on the lower back for brief periods (about 20 minutes) to relax muscles and increase blood flow.

Low back pain from injury requires a person to stay in bed without activity for at least one week.

Lengthy bed rest is not recommended for most people with low back pain. Experts say that light activity speeds the healing process and leads to recovery. Any activity that causes the injured back to hurt more should be stopped, but you should continue to find activity that is not painful.

Some back problems require medical care by a physician and physical therapist.

Your physician may recommend a rehabilitation program in order to aid you in developing strength in your lower back and abdominal muscles. Stretching exercises also may increase flexibility. Most cases of low back pain can be treated without surgery. However, medical conditions such as a “slipped disk” may require surgical treatment.

Weight loss, smoking cessation, and a medium-firm mattress may be on the to-do list for individuals with low back pain.

Carrying too much weight for your frame may be a factor in low back pain or contribute to back injury. If you are overweight, trimming down slightly may aid in reducing your low back pain. For smokers, chemicals in tobacco may cause reduced oxygen levels in your spinal tissue, thus interfering with the healing process. Regarding a back-healthy night’s sleep, use a medium-firm mattress and pillows for support, but do not force your neck into a sharp angle.

Pulling heavy objects, rather than pushing, is the best way to avoid a low back injury.

Actually, the best way to avoid a back injury is to push a heavy object rather than pull it. Other back-smart moves include:

• do not lift by bending over
• wear flat shoes or shoes with heels lower than one inch
• sit in chairs with straight backs or low back support
• do not slouch when standing
  

Strengthening the back through exercise is the leading way to prevent low back pain and/or injury.

Exercise is the best way to strengthen the lower back. While some exercises are designed specifically to improve lower back strength, overall fitness helps improve back strength. Exercise such as walking or swimming provides physical conditioning required for a healthy back. Before starting any new exercise program, see your physician for counseling on the best way to begin.

You answered out of 8 questions correctly.

Remember the following:

• After the common cold, problems caused by the lower back are the most frequent cause of lost work days in adults under age 45.
• Low back pain may be experienced due to a variety of medical reasons. Be sure to contact your physician to determine the cause of your low back pain.
• Most cases of low back pain are not serious and respond to simple treatments.
• When your back hurts, walking and stretching may get blood flowing to the painful area and help the tissue begin to heal.
• Following any period of prolonged inactivity, begin a program of regular, low-impact exercises recommended by a physician. From walking to riding a stationary bike to yoga, muscle strength and flexibility can be increased.

Consult your physician for more information.