So you have an aching back? You've tried all kinds of balms and ointments and taken painkillers, but the relief was short-lived. Forget these pills and salves, what you need are some actionable solutions that will work in the long-term.

Almost 70 per cent of the adult population encounters some form of back pain at some stage or the other. It is not wrong to consider it a universal epidemic. Certainly, back pain recognizes no age, economic, or ethnic barriers. Even though research and studies have found effective drugs and therapies to combat it, still people continue to suffer mainly because of dogmatic traditions and inadequate knowledge. This article presents some little-known facts about your back that will help you keep it in top shape:

Do you know that your back can ache in two ways: acute or chronic? Although each is a painful experience but nature, causes, intensity and remedies for both are diverse. As the name suggests, acute pain will occur suddenly with an intense pain which usually lasts only a short period of time and is normally an outcome of some external or internal injury. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is a constant long-term pain, sometimes lasting a life time. However, chronic pain may also include episodes of acute pain.

You have just gone through the worst ordeal of your life-a heart attack. And though your doctor assures you that you will soon get back to normal, you are plagued with doubts and uncertainties. You repeatedly ask yourself: "When will I get back to work?" "Will I be able to run again, or workout as rigorously again?" "Will I be normal?" Anyone who has suffered a heart attack goes through this phase and it is but natural. However, it is important to recognize that the worst is over and you will soon be on your feet again.

Life takes on a new meaning after you've had a heart attack. There are many do's and don'ts that you need to keep in mind to ensure proper recovery. What is most necessary, however, is a cardiac rehabilitation program to put the rails of your life back on track.

What is cardiac rehab?
A cardiac rehab program is a kind of training, which the heart patient undertakes after a heart attack. It helps you modify your lifestyle so as to reduce the risk of another attack. What you eat, how you work, the kind of exercise you do and even how you live are all included in a cardiac rehab program. Such a program may last for 8-10 weeks depending upon the severity of the problem. However, programs are generally tailored to fit individual needs of the patient and can differ in diet and exercise routine.