Beating Back Pain

By aqua on August 3, 2016 in Anatomy of the Back, Complementary Treatment Back Pain

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Whether it’s a sharp, stabbing sensation or a dull ache, back pain is one of the most common reasons people make an appointment to see their doctor.

“A sore back can happen at any age and for a variety of reasons, although the source of pain is often difficult to diagnose”

Most of the time, it occurs as a result of everyday habits, such as lifting things incorrectly or even sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress.

Beating Back Pain
As a rule, back pain will tend to heal by itself. If it doesn’t and the pain is constant, or if you experience soreness after an injury, see your doctor.

In the meantime, there are lots of steps you can take to ease a sore back and prevent it getting worse.

Why does it hurt?

Unless you have additional symptoms that might together suggest some sort of underlying illness, it can be very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of your back pain.

“In most cases, 95 per cent of what you’re feeling comes from a range of structures in and around your spine, not just from one source.”

Experts refer to this kind of pain as being non-specific. This implies that any underlying condition, such as osteoporosis, spinal cord injury, fractures, infection, cancer or inflammatory arthritis has been ruled out.

“If that’s the case, the pain stems from your discs, joints, ligaments or muscles,” he says.

These types of injuries usually develop gradually over time, triggered by habits such as bending or twisting awkwardly, lifting or pushing heavy objects, overstretching, bad posture, repetitive movements and sitting down for long periods.

“Being sedentary for long periods of time —such as sitting in front of a computer or watching television — is one of the more common risk factors for back pain”

Minimize your risk of Back Pain

Certain risk factors increase your chances of developing back pain. This includes being overweight, smoking, stress and depression, as well as certain medications, such as steroids, which are known to weaken bones.

To reduce the likelihood of chronic pain or a recurrence, it’s important to try to prevent a back injury in the first place.

Measures you can take include exercising regularly to improve muscle strength, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and taking activity breaks at work and home.

Should I see a doctor?

In most cases, back pain from, say, a strain should improve in a few days, but if you’re still suffering after a week, it’s time to see your doctor.

“Assessing your pain in its early stages is the best way to prevent it from developing into a chronic condition”

In rare cases, the pain may suggest an underlying medical condition such as sciatica (pressure on the nerves in the lower back), a slipped or prolapsed disc, or inflammatory arthritis.

“Contrary to popular belief, pain isn’t the only indicator of when it’s time see a doctor. It’s also about assessing any additional symptoms, such as pain at night which makes it difficult to sleep,unexplained weight loss, difficulty passing urine, or numbness and weakness in the legs.”

In these cases, there’s a risk of the condition worsening.

It is Best to Stay active

While acute back pain often requires no treatment, the usual remedies for chronic pain include medication, physiotherapy and, in rare cases, surgery.

A physiotherapist may be able to help you determine the best approach to treat your condition using techniques that reduce pain, including massage, gentle manipulation, stretches and acupuncture.

“Physios provide techniques that don’t rely on medication, as well as exercise programs that help to build up back strength.”

Staying active is key to recovery. “Even though you might be feeling the sting of back pain, the less you use your back the more likely you are to feel pain.” Chronic Back-Pain therapy

studies show that physical activity — in particular lifting weights, under the guidance of your physio or GP — can help ease soreness. “But go slowly,” “Recovery is all about increasing your activity levels gradually.”

Alternatively, hot and cold packs can provide temporary relief for sore, stiff backs, as can certain over-the-counter analgesics and anti-inflammatories.

The best approach is to start with the mildest medication, but it should only be used in the early days to get you back on track.