What Not to Do For Low Back in Hurst TX Pain Part 2

We recently looked at low back pain in Hurst TX from the point of view of what NOT to do. Today we will continue that discussion.

Stay Still

When you're facing an episode of low back pain it is important to be careful, but not overly cautious. You can easily determine how much activity and rest is appropriate by monitoring how you feel both during and after an activity. To help determine if an activity is causing more harm than good, there are two types of patterns to look for; achy pain and sharp, knife-like pains. If an achy pain is present it is generally safe to continue the activity with caution. Sharp, knife-like pains are a warning sign that you should stop the activity. If you are unsure if the pain you are experiencing is "safe," stop and rest. If the pain goes away in minutes or after a couple of hours, minimal harm was done. Conversely, if the pain lingers for days then you over did it and you need to adjust your level of activity. I often talked to patients about the proper way to bend, lift, pull, push and do other common activities. If there are certain activities that give you trouble, there is typically a better way to stay active safely!

Surgery Will Fix It

The majority of lower back pain cases can be treated effectively with conservative care and rarely end up needing surgery. What is done during surgery is permanent and can't be "undone" so it's best to consider less invasive options first. Guidelines for the management of lower back pain support an initial trial course of conservative care for 4-6 weeks followed by a re-evaluation to measure the patient's response to care. Many patients seek chiropractic care for low back pain because it's less costly, involves less time lost from work, and chiropractic carries the highest patient satisfaction.

While not common, some back pain symptoms require immediate medical attention. These signs include:

• Loss bowel or bladder control
• Progressive leg weakness
• Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite with pain
• Acute, severe stomach pain along with low back pain such that the patient cannot stand straight
• Fever with increased pain which does not respond to common fever reducers

Don't Stretch - It May Hurt You

You may have read or heard that stretching may not be as good for you as previously thought. Stretching can increase or worsen your time if you're a runner, reduce your ability to lift heavy weight if you're a weight lifter, or cycle as fast if you're a bicyclist. This may seem counter-intuitive, but there's actually a growing amount of research supporting this. Recent research shows that static, long hold stretching is not as beneficial when compared to dynamic stretching such as jumping jacks, high kicks and yoga. It is important to note, there is NO research showing that stretching (static or dynamic) has a negative effect on non-athletic activities or for low back pain. A good rule of thumb is if you feel better after stretching or exercising it is probably more beneficial to you than not. Follow our advice and KEEP ON STRETCHING!

Here's What to Do Now in Hurst TX

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