Question
My 15 yr old daughter has been experiencing low back pain for about 2-3 months. Xray reports from last week shows shortening and compression of L5 to S1. She returns for recheck in two weeks. How common is this in this age group, what can cause it and what do we need to look for in the future? I am asking for an MRI to confirm. She is healthy at 5'4" and 118 lbs. She complains of pain mostly in her lower back and right hip. Her doctor did prescribe an NSAID.
Any advice on what to ask our physician would be most appreciated. She is doing well in school and a star soprano in the shool chorus group. She is a very special young lady and I just want to make sure she will be fine.
Thank you

Answer
Low back pain is the common result low back muscles that are too tight and compress discs.  The pain is usually that of the muscles, themselves, in a state of fatigue and soreness.

I can't answer how common it is in that age group.

NSAIDs do not correct the problem, but only dull the pain of a condition that, if left uncorrected, can cause more serious problems in time, though, without her knowing it because she doesn't feel them developing.

This is not a medical problem, but a conditioning problem.  Please see the articles on back pain at somatics.com/page4.htm for more explanation and for what to do.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold

Lawrence Gold