Back pain is America's second most frequent neurological complaint; only headache is more prevalent. About eighty percent of the population suffers at some point from this pain. It does not discriminate by gender.
The Cause
Low back pain may be a sign of irritation to muscle or nerve, or bone lesions. Most pain is a consequence of trauma or injury to the back. However, the pain may be caused by progressive ailments including viral infection, irritation to joints and discs, arthritis or disc disease, osteoporosis, or other diseases of the bone, or congenital spine abnormalities.
Common contributory factors include stress; inappropriate posture for the activity being performed; poor mattress support or body position during sleep; poor physical condition; smoking; obesity; and weight gain during pregnancy. In addition, scar tissue created due to back injury lacks the flexibility or strength of normal tissue. Scar tissue build-up due to repeated injuries weakens the back over time, and may lead to more profound injury.
Low back pain occurs most frequently between the ages of thirty and fifty, aided in part by the aging process. However, it also results from sedentary lifestyles lacking in sufficient exercise, or sometimes due to an abrupt upshift in exercise level or body stress. Finally, the risk of low back pain due to spinal degeneration or disc disease increases with age.
The Relief
Most low back pain is treatable without surgery. Medication usually provides effective low back pain relief, sometimes involving a combination of over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Check with a doctor before taking drugs for ongoing pain relief, as certain medications, even those sold over the counter, are dangerous during pregnancy, may cause drowsiness and other side effects, may conflict with other medicines, and can even lead to liver damage.
Ice and heat compresses seem to reduce pain and inflammation for some individuals, and permit increased mobility. Following any trauma to the back, apply a cold compress as soon as possible to the tender spot for up to twenty minutes. Repeat several times daily. (A bag of ice or frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel works just fine.) After two to three days of cold treatment, you may apply heat for up to fifteen minutes per application to relax muscle tissue and increase blood flow. Warm showers or baths may also provide some low back pain relief. Avoid sleeping on a heating pad, as this can cause burns and even tissue damage.
Counter-irritant rubbing creams or sprays affect the skin's nerve endings to provide feelings of cold or warmth, and to dull pain signals. Likewise, topical analgesics can decrease inflammation and stimulate blood flow. Often, these compounds contain salicylates, an ingredient used in oral pain medicines that contain aspirin.
Resting in bed is recommended for two days, tops. Resume your activities as soon as possible. When resting or sleeping thereafter, lie on one side, perhaps with a pillow between or beneath the knees. You can also try resting or sleeping on your back.
Exercise may provide the speediest recovery from low back pain, while strengthening the lower back and abdomen. Gentle exercises help keep muscles moving and increase flexibility. These may include stretching, walking, swimming, and movement therapy to aid coordination and improve posture and balance. Yoga is effective. Mild pain during exercise is okay, but stop and consult a doctor for anything that is stronger than that, or persists for longer than fifteen minutes.
Find out how you can treat your back pain through my easy to follow course. Find out more on Back Muscle Pain. Seth Cooper runs a site on Low Back Pain Relief [http://www.backmusclepain.org/lower-back-pain-relief].
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