Patient Education For Low Back Pain Can Be A Game Changer For Quality Of Life

Low back pain is a very common condition that makes everyday activity painful and sometimes difficult. As we have discussed before, most back pain will heal in four to six weeks. Patient education for low back pain can be a game changer for quality of life.

The important thing is to not be discouraged and stay positive. Exercise and physical therapy can be very helpful.

Understanding the actual anatomy and where pain is likely to occur can be helpful for some patients.

There are four main regions of the back know as the (C)ervical, (T)horacic, (L)umbar , and (S)acral.

• 7 (C)ervical vertebrae in the neck

• 12 (T)horacic vertebrae in the upper back

• 5  (L)umbar vertebrae in the lower back

• (S)acrum and coccyx are fused bones, found at the base of the spinal

These vertebrae are numbered from top to bottom. As an example, the top region lumbar vertebra is called the L1. Low back pain occurs in the area of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, commonly at L4, L5, and S1.

There are a few very basic points of patient education that can be a game changer when added to your self-care, including:

• Staying active and returning to normal activities

• Avoid worrying and overthinking the problem

• Learning to adjust to some discomfort in the back

• Learning and practicing the ways to prevent straining your back

Patient education is an important part of treatment. Equally important is to be under the supervision of a heath care professional with expertise in this area of medicine.

If you have any questions or want a consultation we offer same day appointments.

Call is today at (440) 882-6382 or schedule an appointment online. And remember patient education for low back pain can be a game changer for quality of life.