How to prevent lower back pain?

[lalila]

Hi, I have a very fragile lower back.  Yesterday I only sat in an uncomfortable hard chair for an hour at a student movie event, but i still feel pain in my lumbar even today.

is it that i have to avoid all bad chairs?  Its really debilitating when I can hardly do anything without my back hurting.  Please help.  Ive had xrays before but nothng wrong with my back, just maybe a pressed nerve.

[femmy29]

I should also add that sciatica is a symptom NOT a diagnosis.  Sciatica is typically caused by degenerative disc disease and/or SI joint dysfunction.  Sciatica typically feels like a massive charlie horse that shoots through the buttock sometimes down your thigh and it can shoot all the way down your leg to your ankle.  It can present itself on one side or both sides of the lower extremites. If you don't experience this type of pain, it most likely isn't sciatica.  And MRI should be the first step.

femmy  

[femmy29]

I second that notion.  X-rays or CAT scans do not have the resolution to see degenerative changes in the spine.  You really need to get an MRI of your lumbar spine to rule out degenerative disc disease.  

femmy

[lalila]

I have had xrays and no prob in the spine,
osteopath said it might be sciatica,
physio made me do some exercises that havent really helped that much, cos it wasnt from lack of abdomenal muscles that it hurts tho it could help
feldenkrais helped a bit when i rolled around and stretched more.
ok maybe i could ask for a MRI sometime thanks for the recommendation! yeah moving helps, sitting is my worse position. i need memory foam seat cushion and a back support chair to handle it.

[suffering32]

Hello,
If I was you I would go to a Physio and they will probably give you some stretches to ease the pain as well as strengthening exercises to strengthen your back. Keep doing these even when you feel better!!!
I get sore when I sit too long, would be hard to move around when your at school though. Maybe ask to go to the toilet so you can move around! If it was an ongoing problem I would get an M R I because sometimes an x ray doesn't help!
Hope you feel better soon!

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a detailed clinical evaluation it would be difficult to determine the cause of your symptoms. Likely causes include postural issues, spinal structural defects, neuro-muscular causes, injuries, inflammations, degenerations, nutrient/ micronutrient deficiencies etc. It is advised to sit and walk with a straight back. Physiotherapy to strengthen back muscles may also be helpful. If the pain does not seem to get better in a day or two, I would suggest getting this evaluated by a primary care physician initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or specialist care may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!