Acute mechanical back pain is a prevalent medical issue. When it comes to acute pain, it is obvious for less than 4-6 weeks. Since it is mechanical in nature, the root of the pain might be in the spinal discs, joints, vertebrae or soft tissues.
The exact cause of mechanical back pain might be identified in limited cases. Oftentimes, a specific form of trauma or strenuous activity might trigger the pain. Nevertheless, around 80% of the time, the main source is not determined. Luckily, most can recovery in a short span of time with simple measures.
What are the indications?
Many individuals with mechanical back pain usually experience pain in the lower back. This pain might radiate to the buttocks and thighs. Some might also suffer from spasms with the pain.
Take note that the symptoms of mechanical back pain are more evident if the back is flexed and when lifting heavy objects.
How is it diagnosed?
A thorough assessment of the medical history and a physical exam can help the doctor figure out if the individual has mechanical back pain.
If the pain is mechanical in nature, further testing might not be needed anymore. In case the symptoms or the assessment indicates the possibility for malignancy, infection or a pinched nerve, additional testing might be needed. These tests might include X-rays, blood tests, MRI, CT scan and/or nerve conduction studies.
Management of mechanical back pain
The non-surgical treatment with adequate rest and over-the-counter pain medications are usually enough in most cases. In some cases, a physical therapy regimen might be required for those with continuous mechanical back pain.
- Bed rest – a brief treatment might be suggested for some individuals suffering from intense back discomfort and muscular spasms. Bed rest longer than 48 hours is not advisable.
- Physical activity – in some instance, the doctor might suggest physical activity to promote quick recovery from back pain. For mild to moderate cases, some are encouraged to maintain a near-normal routine.
- Application of ice and heat – the application of heart and ice alternately on the back is beneficial in relaxing the muscles and reduce the muscular inflammation. Generally, apply heat for 20 minutes and apply ice for 20 minutes. If one application is more helpful than the other, only use that application. Remember that heat and/or ice can be applied 2-3 times in a day.
- Medications – in case of muscle spasms, a muscle relaxant might be given for a brief period, usually 3-4 days such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy – in rare cases, physical therapy might be vital in the rehabilitation of back pain. The active physical therapy regimen can help promote rapid healing. In this regimen, the individual performs home exercises as frequently as every 2 hours while awake. It might take than less than 5 minutes and does not require any special equipment.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on acute mechanical back pain is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to properly manage back pain, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are in Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Saskatoon, Victoria, Surrey, Mississauga, Winnipeg, Red Deer, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.