A day without any body pain is like a miracle for many of us.
General body pain is a normal part of our day-to-day life. We all are facing some kind of body pain throughout the day. Back pain is the most common problem we face. But we are all so busy with our daily routines that we neglect the pain. That could be dangerous, let alone disastrous for spinal health.
What is back pain?
The anatomy of the human spine (back) consists of five sections- cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, sacrum and coccyx. The lower back is also called the lumbar region and it has five vertebral. It is the area of the back that starts below the ribcage. The painful feeling of shooting sensation in that area is lower back pain. The pain may make it difficult to move or even stand straight or upright.
There are two types of back pain. One is “acute” pain that occurs on a sudden basis. It might happen during playing any sports or lifting heavy weights. Another pain that lasts more than 3 months is considered “chronic.” You should consult a doctor if your pain is no better or does not go away within 72 hours.
“Any time you experience back pain following a fall or injury, you should consult a healthcare professional. Additionally, if you suffer from back pain associated with bowel or bladder control problems, leg weakness, fever, or pain when coughing or peeing, you should consult a physician.”
We all know what muscle strain is, and it is often the cause of back pain. This could be because of heavy lifting or vigorous exercise. However, sciatica can cause back pain as well. There are small jelly-filled disks meant to protect the space between vertebrae. When one of these disks bulges or breaks, it puts pressure on a nerve. In that case, the pain runs from the buttock down one leg.
Culprits of your back pain
When we talk about back pain there are a number of reasons that are responsible, for example-
- Job Duties
- Mattresses
- General workouts
- Body posture
- Herniated disk
- Chronic conditions
Who is at Risk for Lower Back Pain?
Back pain hits you at any age but most people experience back pain first when they are in their 30s. There are numerous reasons for back pain as we discussed earlier but some other reasons your lower back may hurt include:
- Being overweight
- Being sedentary
- Lifting heavy stuff on the job
Diagnosing Lower Back Pain
Back pain due to muscle stiffness gets better by performing some stretches on a regular basis. However, back pain due to muscle strain usually gets better on its own, but you can take steps to make yourself more comfortable. A heating pad therapy may give you temporary pain relief. Taking bed rest is good but again it is a debatable topic. When your back hurts, you may not feel like doing anything or getting out of bed. But if the problem is muscle strain, doctors usually recommend returning to your normal activities as soon as possible. Studies suggest that more than a day or two of bed rest can actually make the pain worse and may reduce muscle tone and flexibility.
A daily exercise routine with a professional instructor is very helpful in treating lower back pain. One can strengthen lower back muscles by performing deadlifts, superman, and spinal extension exercises.
There's no certain way to prevent back pain as you age, but there are steps you can take to lower your risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Exercise regularly.
- Lift with your legs, not your back.
