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Home Care Instructions For The Patient With Low Back Pain
Dear Patient,
It is my sincere desire that you achieve a most rapid and complete recovery from your condition. I strongly urge you to consider the following suggestions:
Avoid sitting - The pressure within the lower back is up to eleven times higher in the seated position than it is while you are lying down.
Avoid all stressful maneuvers such as bending, lifting, arching the back, rotating the torso, or maintaining any prolonged posture.
The ideal positions are:
- Lying on your side with your knees and hips flexed. Pillows should be placed behind you and between your knees.
- Lying on your back with the pillows beneath your thighs so that your knees and hips are flexed.
Avoid lying on your abdomen for any reason.
Avoid constipation - Straining can aggravate low back and sciatic problems.
Avoid high heeled shoes - In most cases, high quality athletic shoes are best.
Guard your movements - Attempt to move as a unit. Avoid twisting at the waist.
Sleep on a firm mattress
Do the exercises prescribed precisely as directed - Avoid altering the movements in any way. Do not add any exercises.
Proper lifting procedures are essential in avoiding re-injury - When lifting, your back should be straight with your knees and hips flexed.
It is imperative that you realize the seriousness of low back pain and sciatica. I cannot over emphasize the importance of these home care instructions. Furthermore, it is wise to understand that all low back pain is not the same. A given condition in one individual is not the same in other individuals, even if the symptoms are similar, for this reason, we must stress that you avoid taking advice from well-meaning but untrained friends and relatives. This common pitfall can be counterproductive. Deviating form the treatment program that has been developed for you can be of little help, and can in some cases, do more harm. Please be aware that every effort has been made to evaluate your condition accurately and to treat it effectively and efficiently so that you can recover in the least amount of time. Call our Sparta chiropractic office if you have any questions!
Yours in health,
Dr. Eric Loewrigkeit
