By CINDY LADAGE

Illinois Correspondent

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Farming is a physical occupation and back pain is common among farmers. Ohio State University Extension online published an Agribility Fact Sheet about farming and back pain and they state, “Farmers are required to do heavy lifting and a tremendous amount of walking, and utilize pushing/pulling to complete tasks. Back injuries can be chronic or short term. Once a back injury has occurred special consideration needs to be given to the spine, muscles and tendons to prevent a reoccurring injury. Common injuries to the back occur to the muscles, tendons or spinal column.”

They break down back injuries into muscle, tendon and spinal injuries. To avoid they offer a few tips like: “Avoid working in awkward positions or standing for long periods of time; when changing directions turn with the feet, not at the waist, to avoid a twisting motion; wear boots with high-quality insoles to support the ankles and reduce back pain; use correct lifting posture every time - use your legs to lift, instead of your back.”

More instructions are to carry smaller loads and make more trips, limit repetitive tasks. Use long-handle tools to reduce need to bend and reach. Pull Replace older equipment seat cushions with new ones that have adjustable lumbar support, arm rests and adjustable thigh support. Other advice is just plain good housekeeping keeping things picked up to decrease the chance of falls.

No matter how careful a farmer may be though, he or she is likely to injure the lower back at some point and time and has some advice what to do when this happens. Dr. Lou Graham, a doctor at Southern Illinois University Medical School said that back pain is a common ailment. Dr. Graham is a physiatrist, which he said, “Is a mix between orthopedics and neurology with a rehab focus.”

The first question with back pain is what to do? Dr. Graham said one of the first things is to decide if the pain requires a visit to the Emergency room or not. “Are you becoming progressively weaker or paralyzed by this pain? Do you have new bowel or bladder changes associated with the back pain? Do you have lack of sensation when going to the bathroom? If experiencing any of the items listed above, you need go to the emergency room or be seen right away to resolve what is causing the issue before progressing with any type of treatment.”

Once the farmer has ruled out the acute onset of any permanent neurological damage that will have a long term affect, Dr. Graham recommends a visit with the primary care physician. “Most primary care physicians are skilled in evaluating low back pain and will refer you to a specialist when appropriate. If you are not established with a back specialist, I recommend contacting your primary care doctor if your problem is not an emergency,” Dr. Graham recommends.

Once an injury is deemed not an emergency, Dr. Graham said to keep moving is key. “Bed rest is a thing of the past. Work through the symptoms.”

For older adults especially he said, “After 24 hours rest, get up and move or you risk losing function. The worst thing is to lie in bed for two to three days. You lose muscle mass everyday you lie in bed.”

Once an injury has occurred Dr. Graham said to ice the area for the first few days, then alternate ice and heat after a few days. “Anti-inflammatory medications and Tylenol can help if not medically contraindicated. Stay active to maintain a range of motion in your back.”

He said in these injuries that there is no room for painkillers like opioids and that those low risk anti-inflammatory drugs will work fine. “You are going to hurt after straining your back. The goal is to manage your pain, not necessarily kill the pain. Fifty percent of the people with back strain will be better in one to two weeks and 90% within 6-12 weeks.”

To help prevent a back injury from reoccurring, Dr. Graham recommends maintain a range of motion and core strengthening. “The core abdominal muscles help unload pressure from the spine. This can be learned in Physical therapy. Good core strength can decrease pain in arthritic joints. I also like yoga. It is awesome for both physical and mental health.”

“Look for activities you enjoy to find a way to move that works for you,” Dr. Graham added. If exercise and therapy and injections have all been done, then surgery may be the next step, but Dr. Graham warns that surgery is not always a fix for life.

 “Surgery cannot guarantee you will be pain free for life, it just treats the one specific issue, and the spine is very complex.”

He also added, “People underestimate how bad tobacco is for you. Nicotine is terrible for you. Stop smoking. You need to know that it contributes to your cardiovascular fitness and worsens back pain.”

Taking Ohio State University Extension’s suggestions to reduce the risk of low back injury and if an injury occurs, follow along with Dr. Graham’s suggestions. Spring planting is here and long days will be spent in tractor seat. A little precaution can go a long way in making it a safe season!