Back Pain

What is Back Pain?

Back pain occurs due to injury in muscle, bones and nerves also referred as slipped disc. In simple terms, pain in lower or upper part of the back is what we call a back pain.

Patient is neither able to raise his/her toe in upward direction nor able to stand on the toe without support. There can also be increased pains while coughing or bending forward.

Risks and side effects are associated with back pain medications. There is no acute measure to cure back pain instantly but methods such as relaxation techniques, sleep and exercise can help provide back pain relief.

Causes of Back Pain

Overweight causes lower back, knee and joint pains because body experiences excess stress on bones, muscles and nerves above the normal stress limit.

An immediate pain, which gradually decreases its intensity, is experienced as an acute pain. Chronic pain is complex where patients experience back pain due to an injury which is normal, but experience pain again after sometime though the injury appears to have healed.

Neuropathic pain arises due to injury in the sensory nerves without any visible damage to the tissues; this pain travels from the spine down to the arms or legs.

Unbalanced diet and nutrition are associated back pain causes. Positioning is as important as exercise because improper positioning lays stress on muscles and nerves which leads to back and neck pain, hence changing position in daily routine is advisable.

In many cases it has been seen that arthritis is responsible for back pain. Gentle massage can give you a temporary relief from back pain, but patient should consult a doctor during early stages of the disease.

Causes of back pain include accidental injuries where back bones are damaged severely. Such pain can continue even after recovery.

Symptoms of Back Pain

You have a feeling of numbness in the lower back part due to inappropriate supply of blood from the compressed nerves. The pain is confined towards the down side of your leg which becomes severe at night.

The symptoms are same in patients of similar age group but depend on distinct factors. Prolonged sitting in one position lays strain on skin and muscles accompanied by pain. Read more on Back Pain Symptoms.

Treatment for Back Pain

Treatment includes massage therapies and acupuncture. Cold and hot compressions, maintaining balanced positions while standing and sitting can also help.

Swimming is meant to be an effective exercise and is considered to be beneficial not only in back pain but also improves your posture and plays a vital role in back pain treatment.

Surgery is generally recommended only when all other options fail. Bed rest and relaxation techniques are also advised along with moral and emotional support. Creative visualization is a type of alternative treatment for back pain.