Back Pain
Learn about effective treatments for back pain
Back pain is a common affliction, affecting roughly 80 percent of people to some degree or other. Suffering from lower back pain is nearly as common as catching a cold, though upper back pain is slightly less prevalent.
Many activities in our lifestyle lead to back pain, so it’s no surprise that more and more people are experiencing it at a younger age. Desk jobs, jobs requiring repetitive movements and heavy lifting, long commutes and evenings spent on the computer or in front of the TV can all lead to back pain.
Causes and Symptoms of Back Pain
Isolated occurrences of back pain may be caused by many things: a back or spinal cord injury, straining while lifting something heavy, or just holding an unusual position for too long. Often, a strained, herniated or slipped disc is the root cause, and medical treatment may be necessary, but most episodes of back pain are minor and will resolve on their own.
Chronic back pain or acute back pain is a different story, however – it is more frequently a symptom of an underlying medical issue. Back pain is a symptom of thoracic aneurysms, kidney disease, bladder infections and many other conditions.
Back pain presents itself in many different ways, and the exact symptoms depend largely on the root causes of the pain. Some back pain creates a “twinge” or a sharp shooting pain, while other types of back pain cause a dull, persistent ache.
Treatment of Back Pain
Not all instances of back pain need to be treated, but it is a good idea to keep a doctor informed of your pain, especially if it is ongoing or recurring. For serious back pain, doctors might prescribe medication or physiotherapy, but for most cases, over-the-counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen will ease your suffering until your back recovers.
Lifestyle changes can also help – back pain therapy techniques you can use at home include sleeping with a pillow between your knees, using ice packs or heating pads to spot treat, and getting more exercise. In cases of serious acute or chronic back pain, doctors may recommend a brief period of bed rest, but usually, staying mobile while taking care not to strain your back is the best way to heal.
