1. By Kyle Hamblen & Austin Icaza

2. Overall The spine is one of the strongest parts of the body The spine is one of the strongest parts of the body Back pain ranks second only to headaches as the most frequent type of pain Back pain ranks second only to headaches as the most frequent type of pain 4 of every 5 adults at some time in their life will experience low back pain that causes them to see a doctor 4 of every 5 adults at some time in their life will experience low back pain that causes them to see a doctor

3. Causes of Low Back Pain can be Lifting something too heavy Lifting something too heavy Twist too sharply Twist too sharply Standing on your feet for long periods of time Standing on your feet for long periods of time Lack of physical activity Lack of physical activity Poor posture Poor posture Being overweight Being overweight Physical or mental stress Physical or mental stress Or even the slightest thing like a sneeze Or even the slightest thing like a sneeze Sometimes there is no apparent reason Sometimes there is no apparent reason

4. You should see a doctor if you have Severe pain Severe pain Pain that severely limits your day-to- day activities Pain that severely limits your day-to- day activities Signs or symptoms that don’t improve within 1-2 weeks Signs or symptoms that don’t improve within 1-2 weeks

5. What it could be Most often back pain is caused by straining a muscle or stretching a ligament Most often back pain is caused by straining a muscle or stretching a ligament About 1% of low back pain is serious, the other 99% is related to every day wear and tear About 1% of low back pain is serious, the other 99% is related to every day wear and tear Herniated Disk Herniated Disk Spondylosis Spondylosis Sciatica Sciatica Spinal Stenosis Spinal Stenosis

6. Muscle Strains/Spasms The most often cause of low back pain The most often cause of low back pain Where the muscle is pulled or twisted in a way it shouldn’t Where the muscle is pulled or twisted in a way it shouldn’t In spasms your back is designed to immobilize you so you cannot further injure yourself In spasms your back is designed to immobilize you so you cannot further injure yourself Any movement of the back can cause very sharp stabbing pain Any movement of the back can cause very sharp stabbing pain About 90% heal within four weeks and the other 10% take longer and can become chronic About 90% heal within four weeks and the other 10% take longer and can become chronic

7. Herniated Disk Where the jelly-like disk between the vertebrae in your back bursts or ruptures Where the jelly-like disk between the vertebrae in your back bursts or ruptures Symptoms- numbness in buttocks or legs, shooting pain when coughing/sneezing or straining, one arm or leg is affected Symptoms- numbness in buttocks or legs, shooting pain when coughing/sneezing or straining, one arm or leg is affected Cause- age or excess strain Cause- age or excess strain Treatment- will usually heal itself in 2-6 weeks with proper rest and no strain on the back, in rare cases an operation is needed Treatment- will usually heal itself in 2-6 weeks with proper rest and no strain on the back, in rare cases an operation is needed

8. Spondylosis A disorder in which, over time, the spine becomes stiff and loses its flexibility because the disks between the vertebrae narrow and they become so narrow that bone spurs may develop A disorder in which, over time, the spine becomes stiff and loses its flexibility because the disks between the vertebrae narrow and they become so narrow that bone spurs may develop Symptoms- difficulty moving, pain in the back of your thighs when standing Symptoms- difficulty moving, pain in the back of your thighs when standing Cause- excessive wear and tear or aging Cause- excessive wear and tear or aging Treatment- Physical therapy, heat or cold, gentle massage, and pain relievers Treatment- Physical therapy, heat or cold, gentle massage, and pain relievers

9. Sciatica Inflammation of a nerve or compression of a nerve root in the lower back Inflammation of a nerve or compression of a nerve root in the lower back Symptoms- pain radiating from your lower back to your buttock to your lower leg threw your sciatic nerve, can also cause numbness or muscle weakness Symptoms- pain radiating from your lower back to your buttock to your lower leg threw your sciatic nerve, can also cause numbness or muscle weakness Cause- torsion or a direct blow can cause abnormal stretching or pressure on the nerve Cause- torsion or a direct blow can cause abnormal stretching or pressure on the nerve Treatment- usually it heals on its own with rest in 2-3 weeks, but if severe surgery may be necessary, inflammatory medication Treatment- usually it heals on its own with rest in 2-3 weeks, but if severe surgery may be necessary, inflammatory medication

10. Spinal Stenosis The narrowing of an area in your spinal canal that causes compression on your spinal cord and nerve roots The narrowing of an area in your spinal canal that causes compression on your spinal cord and nerve roots Typically affects people over 50 years old Typically affects people over 50 years old Symptoms- Pain in lower back, difficulty walking- especially downhill, progressive numbness/weakness in legs, trouble with bladder/ bowel control Symptoms- Pain in lower back, difficulty walking- especially downhill, progressive numbness/weakness in legs, trouble with bladder/ bowel control Cause- Wear & tear, osteoarthritis, a previous injury Cause- Wear & tear, osteoarthritis, a previous injury Treatment- Medication, physical therapy, and bed rest Treatment- Medication, physical therapy, and bed rest

11. Prevention The best way to deal with back pain is to prevent it The best way to deal with back pain is to prevent it Exercise daily!! This is the key to prevent low back pain Exercise daily!! This is the key to prevent low back pain Practice posture Practice posture Lifting correctly Lifting correctly Sleeping properly Sleeping properly Avoid stiffness Avoid stiffness Maintain a healthy weight Maintain a healthy weight

12. Knee to Chest Stretch

13. Lower back Rotational Stretch

14. Bridge Exercise

15. Seated Lower Back Rotational Stretch

16. Good Posture

17. Lifting Properly

18. Sleeping Properly On your side On your abdomen On your back

19. References Mayo Clinic Family Health Book 3 rd Edition Mayo Clinic Family Health Book 3 rd Edition www.mayoclinic.com www.mayoclinic.com www.mayoclinic.com Essentials of Athletic Injury Management 7 th Edition Essentials of Athletic Injury Management 7 th Edition