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All About Back Pain

Do you know that your back is a multi-functional, extraordinary piece of architecture, delicate yet strong and unmatched by any computer chip or recent 21st century invention? And how do you treat this marvelous piece of architecture? You overexert yourself, lift objects the wrong way, wear high-heeled shoes, drive sitting too far back from the wheel and carry a lot of emotional baggage. No wonder then you frequently complain of backaches. And you are not alone. Back pain affects both men and women and is one of the most common reasons that send people to the doctor.

Causes of back pain

• Physical inactivity is one of the primary causes of back pains. Weak and inflexible muscles can go into spasms, leading to a chain of events that can leave you feeling debilitated.
• Structural or dysfunctional reasons such as muscle spasms and strains, bulging discs, pinched nerves, sciatica and arthritis all take their toll on the back.
• Incorrect posture is another important factor. Constantly sitting, standing or working without proper ergonomics puts pressure on the stressed joint or muscles group, eventually leading to some back problem, which can be painful.
• A constant overload on your system such as hunching over computers, desks and kitchen sinks, carrying heavy bags on one shoulder (take a look at today's school kids), long hours spent traveling can all affect your back.
• Excessive stress and bad footwear.

Do you know that backaches can reduce your working efficiency by almost half? Studies show that work-related back injuries in the US and the UK are the number one occupational hazard. And these facts do not limit themselves to those in an office environment. The good news, however, is that back pain is curable and doesn't necessarily indicate a serious medical problem. Only less than 1 per cent of those with back pains require surgery, which means that it is in your control to eliminate and prevent back pain as much as you can.

Warning signs to look out for

If your back pain is accompanied by any of the following warning signs, it's time you rushed to the doctor.

• Radiating pain down a leg and / or accompanied by numbness or loss or sensation, weakness or loss of muscular strength.
• Accompanying pain in the chest or upper back.
• Increasing pain while lying down or not.
• Constant pain not worsened by motion.
• Lack or impaired bladder or bowel control.
• Unexplained fever or weight loss of 5 kg or more.

When in pain

If you have a back pain, the first thing to do is to get horizontal to take the weight off your spine. Allow it to relax from carrying that heavy head of yours. Unload the pressure on your discs so that they can re-hydrate, repair, restore and recover. But only for a few days. Recent research points out that the longer you lie on your back, the weaker the muscles get and the longer it takes to get back to things.

You can also take painkillers, use an ice pack to reduce swelling and bruises or use braces or support for short-term. During a spasm or attack, it is advisable not to exercise or put any pressure that may worsen the situation. If your pain extends beyond 3-4 days (even with painkillers), then it's time to see a doctor and adopt some long-term solutions who will advise you on how best to manage your back for safe, easy and lasting solutions.

Related News:

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  • Rehabilitation After A Heart Attack

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    What is cardiac rehab?
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  • Getting To Know Your Heart

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    Mind your temperament
    In today's hectic environment, there is no escaping stress. Everybody faces stress at some point or the other. However, what is important is the way you react to stressful situations. Remember, quick and angry responses should not become a habit as this can lead to heart attack and other related problems. If you are hot-tempered, blood vessels in the heart are more likely to thin out over a period of time. What this means is that your blood flow is 19 times less than a person with a cool head and can damage your heart.

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