Low Back Pain

Got my x-ray results to figure out how to get rid of my low back pain.

Although the back pain is less than in previous days, there's this feeling of fatigue in the lower back muscles. There are also occasional pain spikes when I do certain movements such as stepping on the clutch, but the painful points are now just above the buttocks (and also parts of the lower back).

So, what did the lumbo-sacral APOL x-ray show? Mild lumbar osteophytosis.

"Small marginal spurs are seen along the lumbar vertebra. The intervertebral disc spaces, facet joints, and posterior elements are unremarkable. The intervertebral foramina are intact. The normal vertebral body alignment and lumbar lordosis are maintained. There is no evidence of compression deformity or spondylolisthesis."

In other words, it looks like lumbar muscle strain.

And the marginal spurs? Similar to a brand new table whose edge is flawless at the start, but then gets nicks over time, a spine can have these tiny nicks... over time.

The doctor asked me to slowly bend forward at the waist (without bending my knees). Also asked me to raise my left leg in front of me while I was in a standing position.

Since the discomfort was mainly from the stretched hamstring, and since there was no sharp pain in the legs or under the buttocks, most likely I was not suffering from piriformis issues or even from sciatica.

In the meantime, 50mg of Eperisone Hydrochloride (Myonal) was prescribed (twice daily, for 3 days). This is some kind of muscle relaxant. To manage the pain, one 120 mg tablet of Etoricoxib (Arcoxia) a day, for 3 days.

If after 3 days my back still hurts, then it's back to the doctor for follow-up or check-up and other tests.

In the meantime, I should continue taking the once-a-day Polynerv Forte tablet. I started on January 6, 2010 (first of ten tablets). From Pharma Nutria, Polynerv Forte is marked as "vitamins/analgesic" and contains Thiamine Mononitrate (Vit. B₁), Pyridoxine HCl (Vita. B₆), Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B₁₂), and Paracetamol.

NOTE: I am not a doctor. It is much better and prudent for you to consult with your healthcare professional.

If you're lifting weights or doing bent-over rows, you can protect yourself from lower back pain by warming up properly and stretching the right way.

[ First posted on 01/07/2010 by Manuel Viloria ]