Ah, the scourge of mankind. Back pain is the price we all pay for walking on two feet.
Most back pain is muscular and is aggravated by lifting or moving in a manner that irritates the muscles of the low back. Most often poor posture, being over-weight, and improper lifting techniques are the factors that cause a flare in the pain. As long as the pain does not radiate into the buttock or down the leg and there is no loss of bowel or bladder control, then it is usually localized to muscles. If these warning signs are present, one should see their physician to be sure there is not a ruptured disc.
The treatment of most back pain is 1) to remain physically active, 2) use NSAID’s such as ibuprofen (800 mg 3 times a day), and avoid the activities that make the pain worse. If it is muscular, it will gradually resolve in 10 to 14 days. If the pain is severe enough for you to see a physician, it is probably severe enough to avoid flying for a few days. Be cautious about what non-AME’s prescribe because the medications may be disqualifying in itself. This is especially true of muscle relaxants and narcotic pain medications. These are OK for the short term but should not be taken when flying.
If you do not have one of the above warning signs and there is no loss of strength in the legs, avoid getting an MRI. There are many false positive MRI studies of the low back. Approximately 25% of persons who had a back MRI without symptoms had the MRI interpreted as “abnormal”. The MRI is a great tool but must be interpreted in conjunction with the physical examination by the physician.
