What is acute low back pain? (LBP)

Acute low back pain (LBP) is pain that has come on recently  – the last 4 weeks, and is located between the rib cage and the buttocks.

Pain may be located

• Over the central spine just above the buttocks
• Over the central spine radiating outwards each side (pants line)
• On one side at the very base over the bony pelvis
• On one side radiating out to the flank, below the ribs
• In the centre of the lumbar spine below the ribs.

The pain can come on after a major incident (such as a fall or accident), but often seems to come after minor events – such as bending, lifting, or waking up.

Once the pain has been present for 4 weeks it is no longer considered “acute” anymore.

Once resolution occurs about 25% of people will have a recurrence in the next year.

According to research studies it is difficult to predict who will have a recurrence within the next year. Our own clinical experience would tell us that people who more thoroughly address the CAUSE of the problem are more likely to be able to prevent re-occurance, and maintain normal function.

“Treatments” for acute low back pain

It should be reminded that Chiropractic’s original intention is not as a “treatment” for any one condition – Chiropractic is a method for creating health.

There are various treatment options for ALBP, such as Chiropractic care, rest, muscle care (e.g. massage), and pain relief medications

Bed rest has long passed as a recommended treatment for ALBP.

Medication is one option for treatment. A recent high level review study found NSAIDS are only slightly more effective than placebo (doing nothing), with small effects that were not clinically relevant. Furthermore, medications may have side effects, and do not look at searching for cause – they simply suppress symptoms.

Chiropractic care has been found to have moderate quality evidence that there is a statistically significant improvement in pain. In addition, there is improvement is function.

The other benefits of Chiropractic is that is corrects something that is present – if subluxation is present we simply correct it. The role of the Chiropractor is to find dysfunction and correct it – therefore there is no “generalised treatment approach for ALBP” – we search for specific issues and remove them.

References

Available on request