Discussion Question- Low back Pain
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Discussion Question- Low back Pain The discussion question that I am handling in this paper is related to low back pain. Most patients report having encountered low back pain at one time or another. Most of low back pain cases are not related to physical injury (Dagenais, 2012). My interest in this paper is to come up with a Comprehensive Teaching Plan for a patient diagnosed with low back pain that cannot be traced to any particular injury. My teaching program will comprise of three sections, these are general information concerning acute back pain, how to diagnose back pain and how patients can manage back pain (Ferguson, 2009). The primary cause of low back pain cannot be identified. Acute back pain is mostly encountered in primary care practices. Acute back pain is a symptom that is mainly caused by injury or disease to the bones, muscles and the nerves (Swezey & Calin, 2006). Pain arising from other organs in the chest, pelvis, and abdomen may also be felt at the back. The medical term for this type of pain is referred pain as it emanates from other body organs onto the back. Other disorders of the abdomen such as kidney disease, fibroids, urinary tract infections, ovarian infections, endometriosis and pelvic also causes pain that is referred to the back (Szpalski, 2010). Expectant mothers also experience back pain that is manifest in many ways. These include irritating nerves, strains in the low back and stretched ligaments within the pelvis. In pregnant mothers, these are often caused by the hormones estrogen and relaxin (Tulder, 2005). With appropriate medication and conservative management, the recurrence of acute back pain can be minimized. However, back pain that is caused by neurological disorders, rheumatologic diseases, infections and malignancy is dangerous and requires attentive medical care (Dagenais, 2012). Sometimes clinicians recommend that patients with acute back pain undergo surgical evaluation as it is the only way to determine the impact of intractable pain caused by neurological disorders. There are numerous ways of diagnosing back pain. Patients might be subjected to laboratory examinations or tests, Radiography, Physiological studies, imaging and magnetic resonance and bone scanning or bone scintigraphy (Tulder, 2005). Under normal circumstances, the symptoms of acute back pain may lead to sensory loss and distractions due to inconsistent responses. Diagnoses of low back pain determine what kind of pain a patient might be suffering from. It can either be acute low back pain that lasts up to six weeks or less. Subacute back pain that lasts from six to twelve weeks and chronic back pain that lasts for more than twelve (Ferguson, 2009). Chronic back pain raises the red flag, and it is recommended that patients should seek medical care if they encounter chronic back pain. Early diagnoses and treatment of acute back pain must be directed towards identification of its cause and if a patient has a severe neurological disorder (Swezey & Calin, 2006). Thorough and aggressive medical evaluation is recommended for a patient who has a history of underlying medical illness or recent trauma. Neurological disorder or dysfunction is an urgent medical condition that impacts on the spinal cord. Neurological disease is manifest in leg weakness, loss of bowel, sensory symptoms or bladder control (Szpalski, 2010). Conservative management of back pain is the only way to prevent recurrence and progression of back pain to neurological disorders more so to patients who have a history of underlying medical conditions (Dagenais, 2012). It is recommended that patients must first undergo correct diagnoses that will determine the kind of back pain they are suffering. This evaluation is critical in managing low back pain. The first way to manage back pain is simply to rest. Bed rest is significant in easing the pain as patients have to rest in supine and inclined positions. However, bed rest can adversely affect the outcome of treatment. Other methods of managing back pain include; pharmacologic therapies where anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Physical therapy, exercise, corsets, chiropractic, patient education, surgical evaluation and psychologic evaluation (Ferguson, 2009). Patient education is crucial in the management of low back pain as medics solicit active participation and involvement of patients in spine care (Tulder, 2005). A successful back pain treatment program is dependent on the patient understanding of the disease and their role in prevention or avoidance of activities that might result in re-injury. Currently, many medical facilities and hospitals are offering programs and training on back protection (Ferguson, 2009). These programs have been implemented to avoid injuries to the spine, appropriate postures for sitting, sleeping, lifting and driving. Weight loss programs are critical for the improvement of lifestyle that goes a long way to preventing neurologic disorders. In conclusion, patients, and the general public have to subscribe to aerobic classes. These ease the muscles, prevent back pain and improve the disorder to patients who have encountered it (Swezey & Calin, 2006). The mechanism of aerobics and general exercises is clear in alleviating acute back pain and in the prevention of re-injury.

References
Dagenais, S. (2012). Evidenced-based management of low back pain. St Louis, Mo.: Mosby.
Ferguson, F. (2009). A pocketbook of managing lower back pain. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
Swezey, R., & Calin, A. (2006). Low Back Pain. Abingdon: HEALTH Press.
Szpalski, M. (2010). Surgery for low back pain. Heidelberg: Springer.
Tulder, M. (2005). Non-specific low back pain. Amsterdam: Elsevier.