Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
UNWLA 100
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
OH MY ACHING BACK! by IHOR MAGUN, M.D. Lower back pain is a common physical complaint encompassing a wide range of age groups. This problem can range from benign to quite serious. With the increase in "weekend athletes", back pain is more prevalent than ever. It can manifest itself suddenly, can become worse over time, or can even reveal an underlying abnormality. Back pain is classified into three types. Acute back pain is temporary, less than six weeks in duration. Subacute back pain lasts between six and twelve weeks. Chronic back pain lasts for more than twelve weeks. As you can see from the given time frames, all back pain takes time to heal. The most common cause of back pain is musculo-skeletal in origin. The muscles are strained and compromised, but there is no involvement of nerves. We are usually aware of the pre-back pain activity that produced this discomfort. Sciatic pain is due to compression of a nerve root by a disc that has slipped out. The pain usually travels down a nerve-root pathway, usually radiating down the leg either to the knee or the foot. More significant causes of back pain can be associated with "sensory changes" such as numbness, loss of control of bowel/urinary habits, unrelenting pain, of unintentional weight loss. These symptoms warrant immediate attention and medical workup because they may be a sign of malignant disease. Fever or infection, especially tuberculosis of the spine, is possible even in this day and age. Abdominal aneurysm, a widening of the abdominal aorta, may be signaled by a sever, sudden back pain. Spinal artheoarthritis produces localized pain and stiffness. Osteoporosis can cause lower back pain symptoms occurring mostly from collapsed spinal vertebrae. Managing the more significant causes of back pain requires addressing the cause itself. For acute back pain which is musculo-skeletal in origin, ice is helpful (but only in the first twenty-four hours), followed by hot, wet heat. Immersing a towel in hot water is better than dry heat (heating pad). Bed rest is helpful only on the first day and a gradual return to normal activities is recommended. Anti-inflammatory agents such as aspirin or ibuprofin are helpful. Acetaminophen can also be used. Anti-spas modic medications prescribed by a physician are useful, but frequently not necessary. A word about preventing back pain: be kind to your back. Lift objects by bending your knees rather than bending over. Use caution carrying or pushing heavy objects. Get yourself a good, firm mattress. And finally, listen to what your mother said — Stand up straight! Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
