Low back pain (LBP) or lumbago is a common disorder involving the muscles, nerves, and bones of the back. Pain can vary from a dull constant ache to a sudden sharp feeling. Low back pain may be classified by duration as acute (pain lasting less than 6 weeks), sub-chronic (6 to 12 weeks), or chronic (more than 12 weeks). The condition may be further classified by the underlying cause as either mechanical, non-mechanical, or referred pain. The symptoms of low back pain usually improve within a few weeks from the time they start, with 40–90% of people recovered by six weeks.
In most episodes of low back pain, a specific underlying cause is not identified or even looked for, with the pain believed to be due to mechanical problems such as muscle or joint strain. If the pain does not go away with conservative treatment or if it is accompanied by "red flags" such as unexplained weight loss, fever, or significant problems with feeling or movement, further testing may be needed to look for a serious underlying problem. In most cases, imaging tools such as X-ray computed tomography are not useful and carry their own risks. Despite this, the use of imaging in low back pain has increased. Some low back pain is caused by damaged intervertebral discs, and the straight leg raise test is useful to identify this cause. In those with chronic pain, the pain processing system may malfunction, causing large amounts of pain in response to non-serious events.
Nursing Diagnosis for Low Back Pain
- Acute pain associated with musculoskeletal problems.
- Impaired physical mobility related to pain, muscle spasm, and reduced flexibility.
- Deficient knowledge related to body mechanics techniques to protect the back.
- Ineffective Role Performance related to impaired mobility and chronic pain.
- Imbalanced Nutrition: more than body requirements related to obesity.
Nursing Intervention for Low Back Pain
1. Relieves Pain
To reduce pain nurses can encourage patients to bed rest and modification of the position is determined to improve lumbar flexion. Patients are taught to control and adjust the pains that go through the respiratory diaphragm and relaxation can help reduce muscle tension that contributes to lower back pain. Distract patients from pain with other activities such as reading books, watching TV and with imagination.
Massage of the soft tissue, gently is very useful for reducing muscle spasms, improve circulation and reduce the damming and reduce pain. When given the drug the nurse should assess the patient's response to each drug.
2. Improving physical mobility
Physical mobility is monitored through continuous assessment. Nurses assess how patients move and stand. Once back pain is reduced, self-care activities may be performed with minimal strain on the injured structure. Change of position should be done slowly and assisted if necessary. Circular motion and sway should be avoided. Patients are encouraged to switch activities lying, sitting and walking around for a long time. Nurses need to encourage patients comply with exercise programs according to established, that one just does not exercise effective.
3. Health education
Patients must be taught how to sit, stand, lie down and lifting objects properly.
4. Improving the performance of the role
Responsibilities associated with the role may have changed since the occurrence of lower back pain. Once the pain healed, patients can return to his role of responsibility again. But when the activity is impacting on the bottom of back pain occurs again, it may be difficult to return to the original responsibility without bearing the risk of chronic low back pain with disability and depression caused.
5. Changing nutrition and weight loss
Weight loss through eating way of adjustment can prevent recurrence of back pain, by means of the rational nutrition plan that includes changes in eating habits to maintain a desired weight.
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