This article is from the WebMD Medical News Archive

Acute (Lower) Back Pain

WebMD Medical News

Acute lower back pain is the recent onset of back pain in the lumbar region. Pain in this area can derive from any of the region's structures, including the spinal bones, the discs between the vertebrae, the ligaments around the spine, the spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.

Overview | Treatment and Diagnosis | Complementary Therapies

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Overview

The materials in this section have been chosen to provide a solid introduction to your health condition.

Articles of General Interest

What to Do When Your Back Is in Pain
From: FDA Consumer
A personal story illustrates this nice overview of lower back pain.

Anatomy and Physiology Spinal Physiology
From: The Back Pain Sourcebook
A straightforward description of the spine -- how it's built and how it works. Etiology: Causes and Origins of Disease Why So Many Backs Hurt
From: The Back Pain Sourcebook
Looks at other conditions, like bone spurs or obesity, which might contribute to your back pain.

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Treatment and Diagnosis

The materials in this section are more technical in nature. They go into detail about examinations and diagnosis and standard allopathic (medical) approaches and treatments.

Articles of General Interest

Education and Counseling to Prevent Low Back Pain
From: Guide to Clinical Preventive Services
This analysis of data looks at low back pain and suggests education and counseling as effective preventive measures. Initial Care for Acute Low Back Problems in Adults
From: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Guidelines for the initial treatment of acute low back pain. Written for doctors. Diagnosis Special Studies and Diagnostic Considerations for Acute Low Back Problems in Adults
From: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Treatment guidelines that discuss the conditions under which special diagnostic studies are warranted. Written for a professional audience.

Assessment and Treatment of Acute Low Back Problems in Adults
From: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
A solid article about assessing and diagnosing low back pain. Written for practitioners, but important for patients. Surgery Surgical Considerations and Further Management Considerations for Acute Low Back Problems in Adults
From: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Treatment guidelines for acute low back pain, with an emphasis on surgery and its limitations. Written for doctors.

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Complementary Therapies

The materials in this section offer information on nontraditional therapies such as herbs and acupuncture, as well as other treatments that might complement, but do not replace standard medical diagnosis and treatment. These approaches are generally not well-researched, and often have explanatory systems that do not follow conventional biomedical explanations. Many of these areas are the focus of growing interest on the part of mainstream medicine. This information is intended for your information only, and these therapies should be pursued only after full consultation with your doctor, under the supervision of a licensed practitioner.

How to Evaluate and Use Complementary Therapies How to Use Alternative and Complementary Medicine
From: WebMD
Vivekan Flint writes an excellent overview article on alternative therapies. It answers common questions such as steps to choosing a therapy, how to choose a practitioner, and where to go for help. A must read. Side Effects of Treatment Contraindications and Possible Adverse Effects of Chiropractic
From: WebMD
No approach is without risk. Read this important article for possible adverse effects of chiropractic and for those instances in which it should not be used.