Question
I hurt my back about 8 years ago while working as a nursing assistant in a hospital, I tried to lift a patient from a chair into bed by myself.  I did physical therapy for a couple months after but haven't had my back checked out at all after.  My back hasn't been the same since.  I get sharp pain in my lower back when I bend down or twist.  This does not happen all the time but has been happening more often lately.  Sometimes for a couple days straight.  On average about 2 or 3 days a week.  It will usually last the whole day and make it hard to sleep.  Is this a serious problem?  Should I see someone about it?  I'm a hairdresser so I'm on my feet all day and bending and twisting a lot during the day,  I don't know if this is making it worse or if there is something I should be doing to prevent the pain.  Thank you for reading my question.

Answer
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Hello J.,

I抦 sorry to hear about your back.  Of course I cannot provide you with a diagnosis over the Internet, so please don抰 take my analysis as a substitution for seeing a licensed healthcare provider.  

Your description sounds similar to the pain pattern of discs.  Even though there are many causes of pain that fit this pattern, discs are the most common to fit this pattern.  Specifically, pain most often presents when the patients bend forward, especially when lifting something, or sits down, as well as if they rotate or twist their spine.  All of these mechanics are very stressful to the disc.  If it is a disc, it doesn抰 mean necessarily mean the disc has herniated, but sometimes there is a minor bulge or the fibers are inflamed.  If it that is the case, they will often heal well, especially with conservative treatment.  As always, you should get evaluated by a knowledgeable chiropractor, orthopedist, or physical therapist.  Again, I don抰 know if your discs are involved without evaluating you, but if this is the case, discs can respond well to the McKenzie extension exercises, seen here:
http://www.mckenziemdt.org/images/BronzeLady.gif

Usually, these exercises are done very slowly, several times throughout the day, holding for 30-60 seconds.  They can cause slight discomfort in the affected region, but do not do these exercises if they irritate your condition or make it worse.  Also, if discs do not respond well with lifting or excessive sitting, so try to minimize these biomechanics.  If you have to bend over, bend your knees and keep your spine straight.  And as always, if your back flares up, or after working a long hard day, avoid the heat and ice your back for 10-15 minutes, no more than once per hour, with the ice wrapped in a towel to protect the skin.  

It sounds like a fairly classic condition that chiropractors, acupuncturists, and physical therapists see all the time, so I strongly recommend you to get evaluated and treated so that it can heal better.  Additionally, a health care provider can teach you exercises to rehabilitate and strengthen your spine so that it ages gracefully, with fewer flares ups over time.  

Best of luck, and I hope this helps!

Dr. JR Strecker, DC