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Strains and Injuries of the Lower Back.

You have injured your Lowe Back. You have been thoroughly examined and are now fit to be discharged. The following instructions will aid your recovery.

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Care Instructions for Sprains and Injuries of the Lower Back

Those who already suffer from low back disorders should always use the ‘knees bend’ to reach the floor, even for picking up a pin. There are, in addition, many other ways of sparing the back. Most of the following suggestions have the same object – to maintain or support the hollow of the back.

Pain relief

Beware of ‘easy’ chairs; many of these are badly designed and give no support to the lower part of the spine. Choose a chair with a bulge in the lower part of the back or insert a firm cushion here if this support is missing. If you drive a car or lorry take a small cushion with you to fit into the hollow of the back when driving.

Standing

Avoid stooping forward over your work. Raise the work or sit down. Housewives should engage a plumber to raise a low sink or else do the washing on the draining board. Long‑handled self-wringing mops are obtainable for washing floors. Digging the garden is traditionally ‘back breaking’ and should be avoided by low back sufferers.

Sleeping

The mattress can be soft and springy if desired; but must rest on a firm flat base. For this purpose it may be necessary to insert a large board beneath the mattress.

Exercise

Practise the movements of bending and straightening the knees as would be used for lifting an object from the floor. The possibility of overbalancing during this movement may be one of the reasons why people are often reluctant to use it. Swimming is a good exercise; if this is not possible, go through the movement of the breast stroke while lying face downwards.

Support

Keep your weight within normal limits. A protruding abdomen causes a drag on the spine and should be controlled by a corset or abdominal belt. Some men find relief by wearing an ordinary leather belt.

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