The most prominent part of a human skeleton is the stack of disk-like bones, located one on top of the other running almost the whole length of one’s back. This is called the spine.  Pictures and even models of the spine figure prominently in Biology classes.  The bones themselves have holes, which encase the spinal column, the most important part of the body’s nervous system. Without the spine, we cannot stand erect, walk, run or do many of the things that we often take for granted. Lower back pain happens when these disks become herniated, get torn, ruptured or get misaligned. It can occur almost instantaneously because you lifted something heavy the wrong way, swung a golf club and missed the ball entirely or picked up a piece of paper from the floor or bent to tie your shoe laces from a bad angle.

On the other hand, the condition leading to the lower back pain may have been building up over a given period like being hunched in front of a computer for a week or so trying to meet some work commitments. Lower back pain is one of the most common neurological disorders in the United States, second only to headaches. It is one of the major reasons why workers become absent from work. Strained back muscles or when the ligament tissues in the spine are stretched to the limit and got hurt in the process causes most lower back pain problems. The resulting pain can be mild and may go away after a few days or it may be excruciating and persist for a few days or so.

What first aid measures can you take to relieve the lower back pain after it has started? You can take any of the over the counter anti-inflammatory pain medications that will help bring down the swelling and the inflammation in your spine, making the pain go away. You can apply an ice pack or a hot compress to the affected area. In the short term, you can stop the strenuous activities that may have caused you to throw your back. In the long haul, you can be more conscious of keeping the correct posture so as not to apply pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause the lower back pain.  You can use proper back support like changing your mattress into a firmer model for more back support even while you sleep. In bad cases, your doctor may recommend that you wear a back harness several hours a day.

Alternatively, on a regular basis, you may be asked to do an exercise regimen that will strengthen your lower back muscles. If the pain persists, you may have to undergo a more thorough medical examination to determine what is causing the pain. More than a muscular ache, your lower back pain may be due to a herniated disk, a spinal stenosis, spondylosis, osteoporosis or even a bone tumor.  All these conditions may manifest itself as lower back pain. Only a medical practitioner can tell you for sure and recommend the appropriate approach to remedy the condition..