Lower back pain: how do you get rid of it?

Lower back pain: how do you get rid of it?
Extract from the article: Back pain is very common after a certain age, and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 80. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), by 2020, around 1 in 13 people (or 619 million people) will have had at least one episode of this pro

Back pain is very common after a certain age, and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 80.  According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), by 2020, around 1 in 13 people (or 619 million people) will have had at least one episode of this problem.

« Certain occupations aggravate this pain, such as teaching, mechanics, farming or any other occupation where heavy loads have to be carried. Long hours sitting in an office in a chair that does not respect the curvature of the spine, overweight and stress can also increase the risk of developing lesions », explains Dr Raphaël Bogne, a Cameroonian general practitioner and founder and chairman of the « Allô docteur » website. According to the WHO, farmers are four times more likely to suffer from back pain than people working in other occupations.

Preventing lower back pain

It is advisable to maintain good posture at all times (back straight and torso slightly forward), especially when working in a sedentary job. « Regular exercise, avoiding wearing high-heeled shoes or flat soles, managing stress and avoiding excess weight and obesity are all tips that can help prevent lower back pain. In addition, maintaining an ergonomic work environment with a suitable chair and a properly adjusted workstation can help prevent lower back pain », informs Dr Raphael Bogne, General Practitioner.

Treating low back pain

In some cases, occasional pain can develop into chronic pain: this is known as chronic low back pain. The pain becomes more intense and resists all treatment. ‘The pain can become more complicated and intense. It can come and go no matter what the treatment. Nothing works. You get into a vicious circle of pain,’ explains Raphael Bogne.

However, there are a few things that can help relieve back pain, and it's the doctor's role to guide the patient. ‘First of all, the doctor will check that there is no infection or inflammatory disease, and then he or she will recommend daily exercises to slow the progress of the lesions. The aim of these exercises is to relax the muscles that contract as a result of poor posture and aggravate the damage. If these exercises are not done regularly, the lesions may return", explains the GP.

In addition, physiotherapy sessions and the use of lumbar support devices, such as belts or corsets, may also be recommended to relieve pain and promote healing. Lower back pain can originate in different parts of the body: it may be in the bones, muscles or nerves. Depending on where the pain is located, an appropriate treatment will be prescribed.

Nelly BELLAHCENE (Intern)

Author
santé éducation
Editor
Abel OZIH

Back pain is very common after a certain age, and generally occurs between the ages of 40 and 80. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), by 2020, around 1 in 13 people (or 619 million people) will have had at least one episode of this pro

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