Low back pain, which affects nearly every one of us at some stage of our active adult life, is one of the most common ailments afflicting mankind. It is described in many ways, such as fibrositis,slipped disc, lumbago, arthritis in the back, rheumatism; or, when it causes pain extending into the leg, sciatica.To most people low back pain remains a mystery. It often starts without warning and for no obvious reason; it interferes with simple activities of living, moving about and getting a comfortable night's sleep; and then, just as unexpectedly, the pain subsides. When in acute pain we are usually unable to think clearly about our trouble and simply seek relief from the pain. On the other hand, as soon as we have recovered from an acute episode, most of us quickly forget our low back problems. Once we have developed recurrent low back pain, we cannot do anything else but seek assistance, time and again, to become pain free. Usually, due to a lack of knowledge and understanding, we are unable to deal with present symptoms ourselves and until now have had no way of preventing future low back pain.
Of course, you can can call on people with particular skills-----doctors, physiotherapists or chiropractors-for treatment, but in the end only you can really help yourself. Self treatment of low back pain is now widely accepted; it will be more!: effective in the long-term management of your low back problems than any other form of treatment.
If you have developed low back pain for the first time, you should consult a health care professional such as your family doctor, a specialist physiotherapist or chiropractor. You should also seek advice if there are complications to your low back pain: for example,if you have constant pain which is referred into your leg all the way to your foot; if you have numbness or weak muscles; if, in addition to the back pain, you feel unwell. All these circumstances indicate the need to consult a health professional.