YOUR BACK PAIN MANAGEMENT

It is important that you work with your doctor to formulate a pain management plan that is tailored to suit your individual needs.

Pain management plan should aim to:
- relieve your pain symptoms
- help you to recover from acute attacks of pain within 6 weeks
- minimise theamount of time you spend off work
- allow you to resume your normal level of activity
- prevent episodes of acute low-back pain from recurring and becoming chronic problems
- effectively manage back pain if it does become chronic

Over the course of your back pain management, you may come into contact with a number of different healthcare professionals. Quite often, people with chronic pain are seen by a combination of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, pharmacists, psychologists and occupational therapists, who offer their expertise and help them to deal with their pain.

As well as receiving treatment on a one-to-one basis, some people with chronic pain may be able to attend specialist pain clinics for treatment and advice on living a fuller life inspite of their pain. Some healthcare teams may bring together groups of patients with similar pain problems and look at how best to tackle them. Pain servives may vary from hospital to hospital.

WILL I BE REFERRED?
For vast majority of people with back pain, a referral to a specialist is not necessary. However, for some people, referral may help to confirm, establish or exclude a diagnosis. Raarely, it may be appropriate for a specialist to arrange or undertake a surgical treatment procedure.

Referral may be appropriate if:
- nerve root pain has not resolved after 4 weeks
- sciatica has not resolved after 6 weeks
- there are other symptoms such as bowel and bladder problems
- feelings of weakness or numbness are getting worse
- your GP suspects you may have an inflammed spine
- you have not got back to normal within 3 months

LIFESTYLE CHANGES
After 12 months, 9 out 10 people who stayed active during their pain were back at work. Only 5 out 10 people who did not stay active had resumed work by this time.

Before, or indeed as well as, using drug treatment to alleviate pain, there are a number of lifestyle changes you can make that may improve your back pain. These include:
- staying as active as possible
- losing weight
- learning how to bend and lift objects properly
- improving your posture
-avoiding bed rest

The number one misconception surrounding back pain is that putting your feet up or staying in bed will help you to get better. In fact the reverse is probably true - bed rest may slow down your recovery. Medical evidence has shown that staying in bed for 2 to 7 days is worse than a palcebo (is an inactive substance which may look like a medicine but has no medicinal value) or ordinary activity.

If you are able to, staying active is one of the best things you can do to relieve back pain. This is because it maintains your muscle strength, fitness and flexibility and speeds up your rehabilitation, helping you to resume your normal way of living more quickly. You should consult your doctor before taking up any new form of exercise and always remember to warm up properly before exercising.

WHY IS BED REST BAD FOR YOUR BACK?
- It stiffens your joints.
- It weakens your muscles.
- It can weaken your bones over long periods.






TOP TIPS FOR A 'BACK-FRIENDLY' BED

- Choose a mattress that is supportive enough to
take the weight of your body without sagging.
- Turn your mattress regularly (every 6 to 12
weeks).
- Choose a mattress that is comfortable to lie on
with sufficient 'give' to cushion your bony bits.
- Buy a mattress with a strong base. Always try
out the mattress and base together in the shop
before buying.
- Consider a water bed- they support the body
without distorting the spine, and are popular
with some people.







Sports that can help to relieve back pain:




- gentle exercises
- walking
- cycling
- swimming (very good because it strengthens
muscles whilst supporting the body with
water).
















Sports which are not very good for back pain:
- jogging
- football
- golf
- ballet/gymnastics
- weight lifting