What Is Back Pain?

by Robert F. Read My Articles, Learn More... Back pain is a very common condition which affects the majority of people at some point in their life. Back pain often feels like either an ache, tension or stiffness in your back. Back pain can be triggered either by bad posture, bending awkwardly or simply by lifting incorrectly. In the majority of cases, back pain isn’t a serious medical condition and is often better within twelve weeks. Most people treat their back pain by taking painkillers and keeping active.

There are different types of back pain. The majority of back pain is found in the lower back although it can be felt anywhere along the spine.

If you are suffering from back pain, the best way to treat it is to remain as active as you possibly can whilst continuing with all of your daily activities. Whilst doctors used to recommend periods of rest to treat back pain, the majority of experts believe that being inactive for long periods of time can actually hinder your recovery rather than helping it. It is agreed that partaking in moderate exercise such as walking or doing everyday tasks will help aid your recovery from back pain

In order to relieve the pain, painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen might be necessary as well as hot or cold compression packs. Hot water bottles are also proven to work to help relieve back pain as well as using a bag of frozen vegetables as an ice pack. It is also advised that you remain positive throughout your pain as it is shown that people who remain positive recover far quicker than people who become depressed.

However, if your back pain lasts longer than six weeks, a combination of painkillers and either acupuncture, manual therapy or exercise classes may be necessary in order to relieve the pain. Spinal surgery is also an option but this is usually only undergone if all other methods of treatment have been tried and have failed.

It’s also quite common for women to suffer from back pain during pregnancy and, due to pregnancy, women may not wish to pop painkillers night and day so they have to look to other methods in order to relieve their pain.

It is advised that if your back pain is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, some swelling in the back, a fever of 38ºC or above, constant back pain which doesn’t ease even after lying down, loss of bladder or bowel control, pain down the legs and below the knees, the inability to pass urine, a numbness around either the genitals, back passage or buttocks and pain which worsens at night, you should seek medical help and advice immediately as these could be symptoms of a much more serious condition than simple back pain.

In order to prevent back pain, you should avoid putting too much unnecessary pressure on your back as well as undertaking regular exercise such as swimming or walking. Yoga and pilates are proven to prevent back pain as they both improve flexibility and strengthen the muscles in the back.

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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