What to Do When Your Back "Goes Out."

I get a lot of concerned calls from patients when they or their loved one’s back “goes out.” It’s natural to be concerned, back pain can be debilitating, and a bit scary.

The aim of this article is to inform you of the steps you can take if you have injured your back.

More often than not, simple, everyday movements can initiate a flare-up of back pain. Picking up your child, twisting to grab the remote, doing the laundry, etc… This has certainly been the case when I have had back pain.

The mechanism of injury isn’t obvious, but evidence suggests that when we make these movements, our body’s muscles fail to activate at the right time or intensity. This is largely a subconscious error. After all, we don’t actively think about contracting and relaxing certain muscles when we move.

The stress of gravity, added to the weight of our upper bodies, instead of being dispersed along our muscles, falls to non-contractile tissues such as the ligaments and spinal discs, causing a sprain of those tissues.

The pain can become debilitating, making simple tasks like rolling over or standing up almost impossible. Inflammation and muscle spasms quickly follow.

So, what to do? The goal of acute care is to decrease pain and inflammation quickly, in order to begin rehabilitation as early as possible.

Anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants are often prescribed in healthcare settings. They do help. Side effects are certainly possible, so only take medications as prescribed by your doctor and follow the directions on labels.

I often recommend natural anti-inflammatory supplements like Curcumin and Fish Oil, but Devil's Claw has the most research for helping alleviate acute pain. Magnesium supports muscle and nerve function and can help with muscle relaxation and pain reduction. Certain medicines and supplements can interact, leading to reduced effectiveness, increased side effects, or serious health risks. Ensure your healthcare provider is aware of all the medications and supplements you are currently taking to prevent harmful interactions.

If your back "goes out," using an ice pack can help reduce inflammation and numb the affected area, providing relief. Follow these steps to use an ice pack effectively:

Use a commercial ice-pack or create your own by filling a plastic bag with ice cubes or using a bag of frozen vegetables. Wrap the ice-pack in a thin towel to protect your skin from direct contact with the ice. Place the wrapped ice-pack on the painful area of your back. Avoid placing it directly on your skin to prevent frostbite. Keep the ice-pack on for 15-20 minutes at a time. Repeat this process every 2-3 hours as needed.

TENS units are useful tools to help control pain. Previously you could get a TENS unit by prescription only, but you can now get these units at some retailers. It’s a good idea to let a physician familiar with TENS therapy instruct you on their proper use.

Topical pain-relieving creams such as Icy Hot or Biofreeze can be utilized as well, make sure to follow manufacturer's recommendations.

Bed rest is typically not advisable as staying active leads to a better prognosis. Staying active means attempting to perform your activities of daily living within the limits of your pain. This may simply mean getting up and walking around the house every 30 minutes or so.

Finally, get checked out by your doctor. It’s important to remember that the vast majority of back pain is not life threatening. Less than 2% of all back pain cases are due to serious spinal pathology (infection, tumor, fracture, etc…).

Only after a proper history, examination, and diagnosis can you be directed to the best course of treatment.

If you would like more information, feel free to call (304-840-2820) or stop by the office. No appointments are necessary, and consultations are free. You can also email me at DocLeviChiropractic@yahoo.com.

Yours in Health,

Dr. Levi G. Merritt, D.C., CPT, CHC