What could be done to manage persistent lower back pain?

Question

Hi doctor,

My husband is a healthy 38-year-old, who does not smoke and drink. He has worked hard since he was 11 years old, and he held his current job for five years now, which includes laying carpet and floors of all kinds. He has never had any issue with his body in his entire life up until last week. The pain started suddenly in his lower back as he was lifting a bucket half filled with glue. He did not pay any attention at the time, but the next morning the pain shifted down to his left thigh and hamstring, and it was so severe he could not even walk or sleep. He said it gets tight for five minutes at a time then loosens up.

It has been like this for a whole week now, and he cannot get comfortable with anything. He went to the emergency room a couple of days ago hoping for relief, but he got a pain shot in one arm, a muscle relaxing shot in the other, and a prescription for pain and muscle relaxants. But, nothing seems to work, he uses a heating pad, baths in Epsom salt, uses Bengay, and does light exercises like stretching, but the pain remains. Could there be a medical condition causing this muscle spasm?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It sounds like a classic case of sciatica or perhaps aggravated lumbar disc herniation. Your husband will require an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of the lower back to confirm the diagnosis. If true, then you should visit a chiropractor to start conservative care. Low back pain can be helped drastically with conservative care.

The probable causes are repetitive motion injury, arthritis (inflammation in the joints) , and deconditioning (a decline in muscle strength and mass that occurs when muscles are inactive for a prolonged period). The differential diagnosis is lumbar disc herniation, sciatica, and sacroiliitis. Follow an active lifestyle, do stretching and yoga.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.