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Acute lower back pain: Sharing my experience of treatment for lumbar sprain and strain.
2025.02.22 21:40
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It seems that the day I slipped and fell on my buttocks while getting off the bus during a sudden heavy snowfall was the starting point. I initially thought it was nothing serious, but sitting became uncomfortable, and even standing for just five minutes caused pain in my lower back that spread to my buttocks, calves, and soles of my feet, along with numbness. It became difficult to carry out daily activities and work, so I eventually went to the hospital. When I decided to go to the hospital, I was unsure whether to visit an orthopedist or a neurosurgeon specializing in the spine. Ultimately, since I would be receiving treatment after work, I chose the neurosurgery clinic closest to my workplace.
- Neurosurgery Reception and Waiting Room -
After carefully taking the medical history and examining the patient, an X-ray was taken. The doctor showed enlarged images on the computer screen and explained in detail that there is slight degenerative change in the spine, but nothing serious. They mentioned that the muscles and ligaments might have been startled and suggested the following treatments: 1. physical therapy and medication, 2. extracorporeal shock wave therapy, and 3. nerve block procedures.
My eldest daughter previously received three sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on her wrist and recovered, so she wanted to try extracorporeal shock wave therapy first rather than nerve block surgery.
Actually, I saw a friend receive nerve block treatment and knew it was the fastest-acting method, but I was somehow scared, so I wanted to start with extracorporeal shock wave therapy first and observe the progress.
-Physical therapy and extracorporeal shock wave therapy-
I slept for a day, but I didn't feel much improvement.
Since it became daytime, sitting feels a bit better and standing less numb. You prescribed medication for about three days.
I thought I would be okay after taking medication for three days, but because of my job, I sit for long periods, and the pain has returned along with the numbness.
I returned again on that Saturday because I was thinking of taking the time to receive nerve block therapy since it was a day off.
I was very nervous because it was my first time, but the director didn't believe me. I guess I looked too calm.
I was lying face down in a room with a C-arm device, but I didn't feel anything at all, haha. The more I get scared, the more I tend to become silent and sink into myself.
Perhaps because I was so nervous, I didn't even realize I was in pain, and even after it was over, I had no response, so only then did the doctor and nurse tell me to relax. Anyway, they said I should rest in the physical therapy room, and they personally helped me to a vacant bed (there were so many people that there were no empty beds, but luckily, after waiting a while, a spot became available). I lay there for about thirty more minutes, and as the medication took effect, my soles of both feet felt numb and hot. It seemed like it took some time for the sensation to return, so I think they told me to stay still for my safety. I got up, took public transportation home, and the doctor said my back would be stiff for a couple of days, but that night, my entire back felt hot and tender, and I even wondered if I had received the injection incorrectly. By the evening of the next day, the pain subsided and the numbness lessened. However, after sitting and working for a while, I started to feel a slight pain near my buttocks (where I was sitting). This experience taught me that acute back pain shouldn't be taken lightly, and I became curious about what the proper response should be in case of sudden pain.
Let's learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis/complications, and prevention methods of acute lower back pain!!
Lumbar sprain refers to a condition where pain occurs due to damage to the bones and the ligaments, which are fibrous tissues connecting the bones in the lumbar (lower back) region. The term "lower back muscle strain" is also used, but strictly speaking, it refers to a state where pain is caused by abnormal muscle contraction, which is different from the definition of lumbar sprain. However, when experiencing back pain, it is difficult to clearly distinguish whether the injury is to the ligaments or caused by abnormal muscle contraction. Additionally, even in lumbar sprain, it is presumed that the pain is caused not only by ligament damage but also by abnormal muscle contraction occurring simultaneously. Lumbar sprain and lower back muscle strain are treated similarly and have the same prognosis, so they are used interchangeably without distinction.
Symptoms
The main symptom is lower back pain, but if there are other symptoms in addition to the back pain, it could indicate more severe damage than a lumbar strain, so caution is advised.
Cause
Sudden lower back pain often occurs when lifting heavy objects. It can also happen when maintaining an abnormal posture for a long time or receiving a relatively light impact from outside.
Related body organs
Lumbar vertebra, lumbar spine
Diagnosis
For diagnosis, the patient's medical history (especially trauma history), underlying diseases, physical examination, and neurological assessment should be performed. Differentiating other conditions such as fractures, infections, or neurological abnormalities is even more important.
Test
On a simple radiograph (X-ray), the normal lumbar lordosis is lost, and the lumbar vertebrae are observed to be aligned straight in a single line without lordosis. Since this finding can be observed in almost all conditions that cause back pain, it should not be diagnosed as lumbar strain solely based on this finding. Therefore, it is even more important to check for signs of more serious injury.
The summary of the treatment is as follows, but since treatment should be tailored to each individual's situation, consult a specialist.
1) Bed rest for less than 48 hours
When initial pain appears suddenly, bed rest can help reduce the pain. Lumbar sprain is an early stage injury of the lumbar ligament, so continuing activity despite pain can lead to additional serious damage. Staying in bed for more than 48 hours can decrease activity levels, leading to systemic muscle weakness and cardiovascular maladaptation, which can cause more serious complications. Therefore, lying in bed for too long is not advisable.
2) Taking anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants
Pain occurs due to inflammation caused by ligament damage or excessive muscle contraction, so it is best to wait for it to heal naturally. Anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants can help alleviate severe pain while waiting for natural healing.
Physical therapy and exercise performed within the range that does not induce pain
If the pain has been alleviated to the point where daily activities are possible, it is advisable to strengthen the back muscles to prevent further damage in the future. To achieve this, physical therapy and exercise within the range that does not trigger pain can be helpful.
Progression/Complications
Lumbar sprains are generally known to recover in about 90% of patients after receiving proper treatment for approximately one month, so correct treatment is important. If symptoms do not improve with proper treatment and persist, it may require additional examination by the attending physician or a specialist.
Prevention methods
During daily activities, the muscles and ligaments around the lumbar spine are always at risk of injury. Therefore, it is advisable to prevent situations that commonly cause lumbar sprains, as previously known. Movements that frequently lead to lumbar sprains include those requiring excessive force, lifting heavy objects, and twisting the waist in abnormal ways. Additionally, if the muscles and ligaments of the lower back are weakened, factors such as obesity, smoking, and improper lifting techniques can also lead to lumbar sprains, so these factors should be avoided.
Living Guide
During the acute phase of lumbar sprain (within 48 hours), avoid activity while managing pain.
Surprisingly, the lifestyle guide was so simple that I felt a bit disappointed. I wondered if the symptoms worsened because I couldn't rest, which might be the plight of a working person, haha.
And no matter how well I receive treatment, I realized that maintaining proper posture in everyday life is very important.
Following the doctor's advice not to sit upright with my back straight, but to lean back on the chair, I brought a curve support to the chair I use at work. Also, I was told never to sit in a cross-legged position at home, so I am currently sitting on a curved chair.
Please do not take acute lower back pain lightly, and I hope you avoid suffering through early intervention. That's all for now. ㅎ
Thank you for reading the long message.
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Comments 7
- 행복한일상
에고 ㅠ 그런일이 있으셨군요 앞으로 조심 하셔야 겠어요 관리 잘 해주세요
- 땡땡이
역시 자세가 제일 중요한 것 같아요 평소에 올바른 자세 갖도록 노력해야겠네요 이렇게 세세한 정보 감사합니다
- 얌이얌이
저도 허리 통증으로 인해 몇달간 병원치료를 받은 적이 있어요~ 그래도 치료 받으니 나아지긴하는데 한번 아픈 허리는 잘 관리를 해줘야하더라구요~ 꾸준한 건강관리 하시길 바랄게요~~~
- 김민정
커브 의자가 있군요 잘 보고 갑니다
- 콘센트
저도 갑자기 허리 통증이 찾아와서 병원에 갈까 하다가 혼자 스트레칭하고 운동하면서 어쨌든 증상이 완화된 적이 있었어요. 근데 님의 글을 읽어 보니까 병원에 갈 필요성을 느끼네요. 건강 관리 잘 하세요