Back pain is one of the most common health problems. We want to introduce you to the reasons for its occurrence and teach you what to do if your back hurts.
There is probably no person in the world who has never been hurt at least once in his life. The back pain can be dull and persistent, or it can be acute and sudden, requiring measurement of every movement. It can start suddenly if you fall or lift things that are too heavy, or move forward slowly, making a lifetime impossible for you.
Factors that increase the risk of back pain
Anyone is immune to back pain, but there are factors that increase the risk of back pain:
- Cor.The more often your back hurts, the older you get. Back pain usually occurs first when you are 30 to 40 years old.
- Poor physical condition.Back pain is more common in inactive and sedentary people.
- Overweight.A high-calorie, high-fat diet can make you fat. Too much weight puts more stress on the spine, causing pain.
- Inheritance.There are inherited diseases, one of the symptoms of which is back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
- Other diseases.Certain types of arthritis and cancer can cause back pain.
- Your job.If your job requires constant physical effort, heavy lifting, or several hours in an awkward position - this can be a back pain. If you work at your desk all day without sitting up straight, your back will also hurt.
- Smoking.When you smoke, your body is unable to get enough nutrients to your bones, resulting in a gradual decrease in spinal strength and a decrease in elasticity. A smoker's cough can also cause back pain.
What is the reason?
There are several causes of back pain. Sometimes the pain can be caused by mechanical causes, such as:
- Spasms of the back muscles.
- Spinal contusion.
- Stretching the muscles.
- Split disks.
- Falling from a height.
- Spinal fractures.
Back pain can be a symptom of certain diseases and conditions, such as:
- Spinal scoliosis.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Arthritis.
- Narrowing.
- Pregnancy.
- Kidney stones.
- Infections.
- Endometriosis.
- Fibromyalgia.
Other possible causes of back pain include infections, swelling, or stress.
How to prevent back pain?
The best way to prevent back pain is
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your back muscles.
- Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight if you are overweight. For strong bones, you need to get enough calcium and vitamin D every day.
- Maintain proper posture, do not bend or bend over.
- Avoid heavy lifting. If you can’t do it without lifting weights, do it right: bend your legs and keep your back straight, place the load in the center of your body and not to your side, and push your body against your body and don’t wear it on outstretched arms. When lowering a heavy object, still keep your back straight, squat down, and then put the weight down. You need to get up slowly and carefully after these manipulations because after moving the weights, the spine is vulnerable.
When to see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if you have:
- Numbness or tingling.
- Severe pain that gradually worsens and does not respond to any treatment.
- The pain occurred after a fall or injury.
Pain is accompanied by one of the following symptoms:
- Urination problems.
- Weakness.
- Numbness in the legs.
- Fever.
- Lose weight if you are not dieting.
What diagnostic methods are used for back pain?
To diagnose back pain, your doctor will ask you in detail about the course and nature of the pain and will perform an investigation. After the test, you will order additional tests, such as:
- Radiography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Computed tomography (CT).
- Blood tests.
Medical examinations do not necessarily show the cause of your back pain. Often the cause of back pain is still unclear.
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
Acute pain begins rapidly and lasts for up to 6 weeks. This is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain can be caused by things like falling while playing football or lifting heavy objects. Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain.
How to heal?
Treating back pain depends on what kind of pain you have. Acute back pain usually goes away on its own without treatment, but you can also use painkillers to relieve the pain. Exercise and surgery are not usually used to treat acute back pain.
Here are some treatments for chronic back pain:
Hot or cold compression (or both)
A warm or cold compress can relieve pain and relieve tension in your back. Heat can reduce muscle cramps. Cold helps reduce swelling, swelling and tenderness. Using a warm or cold compress can reduce pain, but this treatment does not address the cause of chronic back pain.
Advanced Exercises
Proper exercise can help relieve chronic pain, but should not be used for acute back pain. Your doctor or chiropractor can help determine which exercises are right for your situation.
Medications
The following are the main medications used to treat back pain:
- Analgesics.
- Analgesic creams and ointments are rubbed into the skin at the site of pain.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can reduce pain and swelling. NSAIDs include branded drugs. Your doctor may prescribe stronger NSAIDs.
- Muscle relaxants and some antidepressants can help with certain types of chronic back pain, but it’s very unique.
Behavior change
Learn how to lift heavy objects properly to reduce the strain on your back. Lifestyle change: Eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, buying a quality orthopedic mattress, and swimming can all reduce back pain.
Injections
Your doctor may recommend injections of steroids or local painkillers to relieve the pain.
Alternative treatments
Some unconventional therapies may work well. The most common of these methods is
- Manual therapy.Chiropractors have techniques to help relieve long-term chronic back pain. It should be remembered, however, that even if your doctor is a magician and has been able to relieve pain during a few sessions, you need to seriously strengthen your back muscles so that these pains do not return.
- Acupuncture.Chinese medicine uses fine needles to relieve pain and restore health. Acupuncture can be effective when used as part of a comprehensive low back pain treatment plan.
- Acupressure.The therapist puts pressure on specific areas of the body to relieve pain. The effectiveness of acupressure for back pain is not well known.
Surgical treatment
Most people with chronic back pain do not need surgery. This is usually an extreme method and is used when other treatments do not work. This action may be required if you have:
- Herniated disc.
- Spinal stenosis.
- Spondylolisthesis.
- Vertebral fractures.
- A fracture in the back or osteoporosis can cause osteoporosis.
- Degenerative disc disease.
As you age, intervertebral discs can rupture and cause severe pain.
Rarely, if the back pain is caused by a tumor, infection, or a nerve root problem called cauda equina syndrome, surgery should be given immediately to relieve the pain and prevent new problems.