Lower back pain radiated to the hip since yesterday

Dear Ask The Doctor: Yesterday I began having pain in my right lower back. I took prescription naproxen to help with pain thought maybe I pulled a muscle. But through the rest of the day and all night it proceeded to get worse. Right now it is creating pain in my hip area as I walk

Dear Roylene: Mechanical low back pain (LBP) is the second most common reason for seeing a physician in the United States. In the majority of cases the LBP resolves within 2-4 weeks. The conservative treatment of the mechanical lower back pain is basically relative rest, avoiding all the activities that produce pain or discomfort, such as weight lifting. Also very important is to keep a good posture at all times and sleeping with a pillow between the knees while lying on one side may increase comfort. Some doctors recommend lying on your back with a pillow under your knees.   Control of the pain and inflammation with Ice, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), Physical Therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs (“Aleve”). Try to keep a consistent exercise routine with stretching and extension-flexion which may reduce tension and stress to the spinal joints. After your visit to the hospital for back pain, it is recommended that you follow your doctor's instructions as carefully as possible. This includes taking the medications and performing activities as directed. The back pain will improve within several days. Do not be discouraged if you don't get a fast improvement. Almost everyone gets better within a month of onset of the pain.