Back Pain

Dr Lee treats all conditions of the lumbar spine.

Back pain is very common and up to 80% of the population may suffer from back pain at some stage in their life. Fortunately for most patients, their back pain is not usually due to a serious problem. Often back pain is caused by a range of factors, such as:

  • Injuries causing muscle sprain or ligament strain (single episode or repetitive)
  • Back muscle deconditioning and wasting due to prolonged lack of usage (inactivity)
  • Poor posture

For some patients, the back pain they experience can be debilitating and may affect their work and lifestyle. Encouragingly, up to 80 – 90% of patients who suffer from acute back pain will improve over a period of six to eight weeks. Most patients with back pain do not require surgical treatment.

During flare up of acute back pain, patients may benefit from a short course of anti-inflammatory medication, application of ice or heat packs, massage and physiotherapy. It is important to keep active. Our body is build for movement and it is important to try to gradually increase level of activity despite having back pain. Studies have shown that bed rest for couple of days due to back pain leads to more stiffness and makes it harder to get moving again.

There are some spinal conditions that present with symptoms of back pain and may require further investigations should the pain not settle down. These include:

Adelaide Spine SurgeonVery rarely, back pain can be an indication of a serious problem. Please seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following:

  • Weakness in the legs
  • Difficulty urinating or controlling urination
  • Loss of control of bowel movement
  • Numbness in the genital area
  • Severe night pain, waking you up at night and not alleviated with the use of pain killers
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Fever and night sweats
Disclaimer

The medical conditions and treatments outlined on this website are of a general nature. Information given is not intended as specific medical advice pertaining to any given patient and should be seen as a broad guide only. You must not rely on the information provided on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other health care professionals. If you have any specific questions about a medical condition, please consult your health care professional or contact Dr Lee’s rooms for a consultation and advice.