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What Does A Lower Backache Indicate?

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Posted on Thu, 21 Dec 2017
Question: I have pain that is wrapping around lower back
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (58 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
may be muscular, imaging may be needed if severe

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Pain that extends around the lower back usually implies that there is muscular involvement in most cases.
This is more likely so if the pain is worse with movement or bending.

It is possible for pain to be due to more than one source eg related to the vertebra and surrounding muscles.

If the pain is severe, then you should be assessed, in addition to examination, imaging of the back may be needed.

Treatment may involve--(1) rest, decrease any activities that seem to aggravate the back, no heavy lifting, careful how you bend

(2)warm compress to the back, applied 2 to 3 times a day for 10 to 15 mins

(3)a muscle relaxant would be helpful since spasm of the muscles in the back often contribute to pain eg flexeril, valium, XXXXXXX baclofen

(4)a topical pain killer such as voltaren gel

(5)oral pain killer such as cataflam, naproxen, ibuprofen

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (55 minutes later)
could it be a hernia
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
would need imaging to determine if a disc is herniated

Detailed Answer:
HI

Hernia are a protrusion through a space, a bulge would be seen protruding through an opening.

They do not usually present in the back.

The most common hernias would be umbilical hernia or inguinal hernia

IN the back there may be herniated disc. This means that one of the disc between the bones in the back is protruding backwards or forwards, this presents with back pain as well.
As mentioned previously, if the pain is severe then imaging would be needed, this is the only way to determine if a disc is herniated.
Unfortunately it cannot be diagnosed on examination or based on history

Please feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Does A Lower Backache Indicate?

Brief Answer: may be muscular, imaging may be needed if severe Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Pain that extends around the lower back usually implies that there is muscular involvement in most cases. This is more likely so if the pain is worse with movement or bending. It is possible for pain to be due to more than one source eg related to the vertebra and surrounding muscles. If the pain is severe, then you should be assessed, in addition to examination, imaging of the back may be needed. Treatment may involve--(1) rest, decrease any activities that seem to aggravate the back, no heavy lifting, careful how you bend (2)warm compress to the back, applied 2 to 3 times a day for 10 to 15 mins (3)a muscle relaxant would be helpful since spasm of the muscles in the back often contribute to pain eg flexeril, valium, XXXXXXX baclofen (4)a topical pain killer such as voltaren gel (5)oral pain killer such as cataflam, naproxen, ibuprofen I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions