Low back pain is extremely common. Almost every person will have at least one episode of low back pain at some time in his or her life. The pain can vary from severe and long term to mild and short lived. With proper care, It will resolve within a few weeks for most people.

Doctors have many ideas about what causes low back pain, but no single explanation applies to everyone. Low back pain may be related to aging of the disk. As a result of wear and tear on the spine, ligaments, and disks, a disk may begin to protrude or collapse and put pressure on the nerve root leading to a leg or foot, causing pain in those areas (sciatica).

The problem can be aggravated by associated conditions, such as narrowing (stenosis) of the canal or shifting of the vertebra (spondylolisthesis), one upon the other.

Low back pain is sometimes caused by:

• Excessive stress to the back, such as lifting something heavy
• Minimal movement, such as bending or reaching for something
• Arthritis of the spine
• Problems with tendons or ligaments in and around the spine
• Malpositioning of vertebrae
• Sedentary lifestyles, including prolonged sitting at work
• Prolonged poor posture

Occasionally, it happens with no cause. Doctors do not know why some people with acute back pain go on to suffer from long term (chronic) low back pain. They also don't know why some people go on to feel quite well between episodes of severe pain.
   
Symptoms
The symptoms of low back pain vary in some ways and are similar in others. Most people find that reclining or lying down will improve their pain and after their initial severe episode, many will be able to rest at night without severe pain. Most people experience more severe pain when they bend over to pick something up. Some get relief from arching backward (extending the back).
Leg pain also can be part of the problem. The pain is most common in the back or outer side of the thigh, and can go all the way to the foot. Pain that radiates down the back of the leg is called sciatica because it is pain that follows the course of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is often made worse by coughing or sneezing. With all these varying causes and symptoms of low back pain, proper diagnosis by a skilled physical therapist that specializes in this area is essential.
 
Physical Therapy Treatment
Treatments for low back pain are multiple and varied, however, Physical Therapy has been shown to be of a strong benefit with low back pain sufferers.

Rest
A few days of rest can often calm the acute initial pain of an injury. Prolonged bed rest (more than 2 days to 3 days) is no longer generally recommended for people with low back pain.

Braces
Although there is minimal scientific evidence of their effectiveness in treating low back pain, many people purchase over the counter back braces to improve their function. Most common is a corset type brace that can be wrapped around the back and abdomen. People who use corset type braces sometimes report feeling better supported and more comfortable. Long term use of these type braces, however have been documented to have a negative impact on normal function.

Passive Modalities
Passive modalities include the application of heat or cold, massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, and acupuncture. While these types of treatment can give good immediate relief of your symptoms, they should not be the only form of treatment used, as they have not been documented to provide long term relief of the symptoms.

Spinal Mobilization
Another form of passive treatment is spinal mobilization There are many different practitioners of spinal mobilization, each with their own style of mobilization or manipulation. This has also at times improved symptoms of low back pain. When joints are not aligned or moving freely, other joints must compensate to enable normal motion to occur. This often causes overuse or hypermobility of certain joints, which can cause increased edema and irritation. Prospect Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation is trained in several different mobilization techniques, including Karltenborn, Maitland, MacKenzie, Mulligan and Austrailian approaches to ensure that this technique is employed effectively and effieciently.

Exercise and Stretching
Exercising to restore motion and strength to a painful lumbar spine can be very helpful in relieving pain. Although there is controversy as to which are the most effective spine exercises, it is generally agreed that exercise should be both aerobic (aimed at improving heart and lung function) and specific to the spine. Aerobic exercises include walking, jogging, swimming, and bicycling. Prospect Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation employs a wide range of specific muscle strengthening techniques to aid in stabilization, proprioception and endurance of the effected musculature.

Proper Lifting and Sitting Technique
Instruction in lifting techniques can be helpful as well. Improperly bending over to lift can cause a large increase in strain on the low back. Proper lifting keeps the back straight while you bend with the knees. As our professions are moving more towards a sedentary posture, key areas need to be addressed towards workplace ergonomics, automobile driving posture, and proper use of dynamic office chairs. Prospect Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation has assisted in developing back training courses for large corporations, hospitals and call centers which enables us to be industry leaders in this area.