By Robert Greenleaf, MD, Spine Surgeon, Virtua Orthopedics & Spine

Lower back pain is extremely common and one of the top reasons for missed workdays. That’s because the lower back supports the weight of the upper body and is subject to a lot of stress and strain—especially during everyday movements like lifting and twisting.

One of two things typically causes lower back pain: a sudden injury or the wear and tear of aging, arthritis and physical activity. No matter the cause of your lower back pain, here are 10 recommendations that can help you relieve it and prevent future problems.

1. Maintain correct posture during activities to avoid back pain.

To protect your lower back from injury, it’s important to maintain proper posture when performing physical activities—especially if you play sports or have a job that requires repetitive motions. Avoid slouching as much as possible and aim to keep your spine erect. When lifting, bend and straighten from the knees, not the waist. And be sure to move your hips when twisting from side to side.

2. Maintain correct posture when sitting.

You can avoid lower back pain by maintaining proper posture when sitting. If you have a desk job, keep your feet planted on the floor and use a chair that provides lower back support. Also, avoid hunching forward to see your computer screen and reaching far in front of you to use your mouse or keyboard. 

3. Use ice or heat.

If you’ve experienced a lower back injury, applying ice within the first 24-72 hours afterward can help ease pain and reduce swelling. After that, switch to heat to help relax tight muscles. Heat also is useful for chronic lower back pain that isn’t related to an acute injury. Regardless of whether you're using heat or ice, you shouldn’t use it for more than 20 minutes at a time. This will help prevent skin damage.

4. Stretch your muscles.

Stretching is a great way to relieve chronic and acute lower back pain—and prevent future lower back problems. Because the muscles in the back extend in many different directions, it’s important to do a variety of stretches. Basic lower back stretches include:

• Lying flat on your back and pulling your knees to your chest.
• Lying flat on your back with your arms outstretched in a “T” position, bending one knee and twisting in the direction of your straight leg while trying to touch your bent knee to the floor (called a spinal twist).
• Lying on your stomach with your arms stretched overhead and lifting your chest and/or legs off the floor (called a “superman”).

5. Wear proper footwear. 

Supportive footwear can improve your overall posture, increase stability and decrease your risk of suffering from lower back pain. Make sure you wear the appropriate footwear for the activity you are performing (sneakers for running or exercising, or boots for doing construction work). Although occasionally wearing unsupportive shoes such as flip flops or high heels is unlikely to cause lower back problems, prolonged or frequent wear can put increased pressure on your lower spine.

6. Maintain a healthy weight. 

Being overweight can increase the strain on your lower back, especially as you age. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for diet and exercise and aim to keep your weight within a healthy range for your height.

7. Stay active. 

If you're dealing with lower back pain, you should resist the temptation to stay in bed. In fact, moving around and engaging in gentle stretching can help your lower back muscles heal faster. However, carefully move within your comfort zone and avoid strenuous activities that cause more pain.

8. Consider using over-the-counter pain relievers.

Over-the-counter pain relievers—especially anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen—are the workhorses for lower back injuries because they also reduce swelling. To get the maximum benefit from these medications, it’s important to take them round-the-clock for several days in a row when you’re experiencing lower back pain. These medications aren’t safe for everyone, so check with your doctor before taking them.

9. Get a massage. 

In addition to stretching, massage is another way to help lengthen shortened muscles and relieve tension in the lower back. Healthy lower back muscles lead to increased overall stability, which can help prevent future lower back problems.

10. Sleep on a quality mattress. 

Lower back pain sufferers usually benefit from sleeping on a medium-firm mattress. However, your preferred sleep position also should influence your mattress selection. To maintain good posture, side sleepers should select a softer mattress. Back and stomach sleepers should choose a firmer mattress. If you have lower back pain, it’s a good idea to avoid sleeping on your stomach altogether.

If your lower back pain doesn’t improve after 4 to 6 weeks of home care using these suggestions, you should see your doctor. You also should contact your doctor right away if you have any “red flags,” including:

• A history of cancer or a recent infection
• A recent fall or other acciden
• Extreme fatigue
• Rapid weight loss
• Signs of infection, such as fever, chills, sweats
• Nerve problems, such as shooting pain, numbness or tingling
• Changes in bowel or bladder function

Other options for treating lower back pain may include physical therapy, pain management with cortisone injections or, in certain cases, surgery. Although lower back surgery can be beneficial for patients who are experiencing nerve problems and injured discs, it’s not typically recommended for patients with other types of lower back pain. There are many options for treating back pain, and at Virtua Orthopedics & Spine, we'll assess your unique needs and tailor your care plan to meet them. 

Take our Virtua Orthopedics & Spine back pain quiz to determine if it might be time to see a spine specialist about your back pain, or call 856-246-4272 to request a consultation with a Virtua spine specialist.