I have back pain on standing, sitting and even while sleeping. Please help.

Question

Hello doctor,

I have back pain on the left side and cannot move on that side. The pain was between my belly and back, but now it is only on my back at the end of the spinal cord. While sitting, standing, or even sleeping, I can feel the pain in this area and it lasts for one week. I am currently taking Ibubrufen.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

You are very young to actually have persistent back pains. There are many causes of pain in the lower back region. It can be due to faulty posture, related to weak muscles, issues with disc, narrowing of spinal canal, or any bony instability besides many others. So accurate diagnosis is the key to proper management of the condition. You will have to elaborate on your problem of back pain which means the duration of pain and mode of onset. I would also like to ask you if it is associated with any leg pain or any other neurological symptoms like numbness, paresthesias (electrical shock like abnormal sensations) or any weakness in limbs? Please also tell me about any associated symptoms like fever, weight loss, etc. What medications you generally take for your existing problem? If you have localized back pain with no other symptoms like radiating leg pain, neurological symptoms like numbness, weakness, paresthesias, etc, then you can start with following recommendations for an initial period of two to three weeks.

1. Maintain proper posture of your back while working and sleeping.

2. If pain is more then you can take a short course of anti-inflammatory medication like tab Etoricoxib or Paracetamol or one which suits you.

3. Physical therapy initially under the supervision of a trained physiotherapist and then to continue at home.

4. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake if levels are low in the body.

5. Ice packs can be applied if your pain is acute, then hot fomentation can be done at home.

6. Analgesic spray for local application can be used and is easily available.

7. Avoid lifting heavyweight or acute forward bending in the mornings, etc.

We will observe you for the next two to three weeks on how you respond to this conservative management protocol. If you are not feeling better, then we will have to get some investigations like, dynamic x-rays of lower back and few blood tests for evaluation.