Back pain is pain felt in the back. Episodes of
back pain may be acute sub acute or chronic depending on the duration. The pain
may be characterized as a dull ache shooting or piercing pain or a burning
sensation. The pain may radiate into the arms and hands as well as the legs or
feet and may include paresthesia tingling with no apparent cause weakness or
numbness in the legs and arms. Neck pain cervical middle back pain thoracic
lower back pain lumbar or coccydynia with the lumbar vertebrae area most common
for pain. The pain may originate from the muscles’ nerves’ bones’ joints or
other structures in the vertebral column. Internal structures such as the
gallbladder and pancreas may also cause referred pain in the back. Back pain is
common with about 9 out of ten adults experiencing it at some point in their
life and 5 out of ten working adults having it every year. it is rare for it to
be permanently disabling and in most cases of herniated disks and stenos is
rest injections or surgery have similar general pain resolution outcomes on
average after one year. In the United
States acute low back pain is the 5th most
common reason for physician visits and causes 60% of missed days off work.
Additionally it is the single leading cause of disability worldwide. Back pain
may be classified by various methods to aid its diagnosis and management. The
duration of back pain is considered in three categories following the expected
pattern of healing of connective tissue. Acute pain lasts up to 15 weeks sub
acute pain refers to the second half of the acute period 4 to 8 weeks and
chronic pain is pain which persists beyond 15 weeks. About 60% of
women experience low back pain during pregnancy. Back pain in pregnancy may be
severe enough to cause significant pain and disability and pre dispose patients
to back pain in a following pregnancy. No significant increased risk of back
pain with pregnancy has been found with respect to maternal weight gain’
exercise’ work satisfaction or pregnancy outcome factors such as birth weight’
birth length and Apgar scores. Bio mechanical
factors of pregnancy that are shown to be associated with low back pain of
pregnancy include abdominal sagittal and transverse diameter and the depth of
lumbar lordosis. Back pain in pregnancy may also be characterized by pain
radiating into the thigh and buttocks night time pain severe enough to wake the
patient pain that is increased during the night time or pain that is increased
during the day-time. It loosens up tense muscles and
strengthens those that need some help. Depending on the location and cause of
your back pain certain stretches can reduce back pain while others can cause
more pain. Stretching should be gentle so stop any stretching exercise that
causes pain. If you force a stretch you could do more damage than good. Consult
your doctor for help in deciding the best stretches for your back pain. Once
you get the hang of it regular stretching can ease back pain quickly and
effectively. Most of us spend a good amount of time sitting down whether
it’s at work or during the commute to and from work. Sitting down for long
periods of time may be more harmful than you realize. But you can minimize the
impact by sitting properly. Correct posture in a chair means having all the
bones in your spine lined up neatly like a stack of perfectly aligned blocks.
This means keeping your feet flat on the floor and your computer keyboard
within easy reach so you’re not leaning forward. This is one part of proper
office ergonomics. Sleeping on your back is best. Spending a few nights on the
floor with a pillow underneath your feet can really help your back even if it
might be a little trickier to stay sound asleep. If you’re a side sleeper
putting a pillow between your knees can help by allowing your muscles to relax
more. Sleeping on your stomach can be bad for your back. If this is the only
way you can fall asleep the Mayo Clinic recommends placing a pillow under your
lower abdomen and pelvis to prevent back strain. Gently massaging a sore or
tense muscle is one of the most effective ways to loosen it up and relieve
pain. not everyone can afford a personal masseuse when back pain kicks in. consider
asking your partner for a massage For added benefit ask your loved one to use
some medicated ointment to double your pain relief. There are plenty of pain
rubs and ointments on the shelves. Some standards include Icy Hot or Tiger
Balm. The effectiveness of these medications can vary from user to user so go
with what feels best and suits your needs. Some typical turn-offs with these
ointments are the smell and difficulty of putting it on your own back. One
popular product is Bio freeze a natural compound with a cooling sensation
without the greasy texture. It comes in menthol and unscented varieties as well
as a spray form. The body’s aches and pains aren’t caused by physical injury
but because we push ourselves too hard. Make sure you take your time and
schedule breaks when doing physical activity if your back hurts. Stress also
adds to how your body reacts to pain the calmer and more relaxed you are the
more your back will thank you.
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