Health Articles

Many people suffer from back pain due to varying reasons. Back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. It could be acute pain or chronic pain depending on how long the pain sensation has been going on. Where acute pain is sudden and lasting for a few days or a week, chronic pain, however, last for more than three months. Pain could be constant, dull pain or a sudden sharp pain.

Back pain could arise from any of the structures of the back which is composed of muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons and disks. Sometimes, however, the exact cause of pain cannot be identified. Improper or heavy lifting and/or awkward sudden movement strains muscles and ligaments causing back pain. Back pain could be due to spasm of muscles in the back. It could also be caused by a problem in the structures of the back.

Sciatica, a sharp, shooting pain through the buttock and the back of the leg can be caused by a bulging or herniated disk which presses on the main nerve traveling down your leg. Bulging or ruptured disks may bulge out of place or rupture and press on a nerve causing pain. The disks in between the vertebrae of the spine act as cushion hence when displaced or ruptured, diminishes the support it gives to the vertebrae. However, there are also people with bulging or herniated disks that may not necessarily experience pain from that condition. Arthritis, inflammation of a joint, may also cause back pain. This inflammation commonly affects the hips, hands, knees and lower back. It could lead to stenosis of the spine- the narrowing of space around the spinal cord. Abnormal curvature of the spine such as scoliosis, a condition where a person’s spine is curved from side to side, could also cause back pain. When your bones become porous and brittle it could lead to compression fractures of the spinal vertebrae causing pain.

There are factors that increase the risk of developing back pain. These include obesity, sedentary work, physically strenuous work, older age, stressful jobs, anxiety, depression, gender, and smoking.

There are ways to reduce these risks. Exercise is a good way to keep muscles relaxed rather than tense. It improves movement and flexibility. Exercise improves blood circulation and therefore nourishment of tissues in the body. Eating healthy food to nourish your body is always a good idea. For your body to function well, it should have the necessary daily dietary requirements such as proteins, vitamins and minerals among others.

Anyone who is active will probably experience acute back pain sometime in their life. This is usually caused from muscle strains or ligament strains.

It is something you may immediately notice. For example if you lift weights your back pain may become severe right while you’re lifting.

If you are not normally an active person and all of a sudden you’re doing strenuous activity you may strain a muscle or strain a ligament. This could get gradually worse over a period of hours to the point that you are now in acute pain.

Acute back pain can be treated however it may be several weeks before you are back to doing the activities you are currently doing.
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Other ways acute back pain are brought on include sports injuries, poor posture, bending forward for too long a period of time, holding a cell phone in your ear while you’re doing other things around the house, carrying something heavy such as a backpack or purse, and accidents.

The old adage that bed rest is best is not really true when dealing with acute back pain. You are better off to go about your normal routine with the exception of what caused back pain to begin with.

You certainly can take it slower and possibly lying down will feel better. Hot baths and cold comfort compresses can help, starting with cold first in an ice pack. Ice several times a day for up to 20 minutes helps slow any inflammation and swelling.

Taking a hot bath can also help relieve the pain and inflamed muscles. Ibuprofen may help the pain go away as well. If you are not better after 72 hours then it is probably time to go see your doctor!