Back injuries affect the muscles, ligaments, discs, and joints of the spine. Some injuries happen suddenly during a fall, and others develop slowly from repeated strain. When you injure your lower back, you may notice stiffness, sharp pain, or numbness in your legs. Here are some prevention habits and medical treatments:
Proper Lifting
Many back injuries occur when people lift heavy objects with poor form. Bending at the waist places extra force on the lumbar discs. Your legs contain larger muscles, so let them do most of the work. Before you lift any heavy item, follow these steps:
- Stand close to the object with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Bend your knees and keep your back straight.
- Tighten your core muscles.
- Hold the load close to your body.
- Pivot with your feet instead of twisting your torso.
Some loads are too heavy for one person, and a second set of hands lowers the strain. If your job involves frequent lifting, use carts, dollies, or lift-assist devices. Short breaks also reduce muscle fatigue during long shifts. Store heavy items between knee and shoulder height to limit bending.
Regular Stretches and Exercise
Regular movement keeps the muscles around your spine strong and flexible. When your core and hip muscles stay weak, your lower back absorbs more stress. Aim for moderate activity each week, and add stretching on most days. Typical options include:
- Knee-to-chest stretches
- Cat-cow stretches
- Bird-dog exercises
- Pelvic tilts
- Walking or swimming
Various Injections
Doctors may recommend injections when rest and physical therapy do not relieve pain. Each injection targets a specific source of pain, and procedures are typically quick. Facet joint injections deliver medication into the small joints along the back of the spine. Arthritis or injury may inflame these joints and cause localized pain.
The sacroiliac joints connect your pelvis to your spine, and they absorb force from walking. Inflammation in these joints causes buttock or leg pain. A sacroiliac joint injection uses a numbing agent and steroid, which may help identify the pain source. Patients rest for the remainder of the day.
Doctors use X-ray guidance during most spinal injections. Epidural steroid injections treat nerve pain from herniated discs or spinal stenosis. The doctor places the medication into the epidural space, which surrounds the spinal nerves. Relief may last weeks or months, but results vary from person to person.
Surgical Interventions
Most back injuries heal without surgery. Doctors typically recommend surgery only after conservative treatments fail to help. Leg weakness or loss of bladder control may require faster surgical action. Lumbar spine surgery addresses problems in the lower back, and it includes several procedures.
An endoscopic lumbar rhizotomy targets the nerves responsible for transmitting pain signals in the lower back. During the procedure, a surgeon uses a small camera and specialized tools to disable these pain-carrying nerves, providing long-term relief. Disc compression procedures focus on reducing pressure caused by damaged or bulging discs. Both procedures are minimally invasive, which typically means shorter recovery times compared to traditional open surgery. Talk to your surgeon about the risks, recovery steps, and whether these options are right for you.
Get Treated for Back Injuries
If back pain lasts longer than a few weeks, schedule an evaluation with a qualified provider. A doctor will review your symptoms, history, and imaging. You and your provider will compare prevention steps and treatment options, and you will choose a plan together. Contact an orthopedic clinic today to book your back pain consultation.
