What Do You Know About Back Pain?
What Causes Back Pain?
There are many different causes of back pain, but some of the most common include:
* Muscle strain or sprain: This is the most common cause of back pain. It can happen when you lift something heavy incorrectly, overuse your back muscles, or have poor posture.
* Herniated disk: This occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of a disk leaks out and puts pressure on a nerve.
* Spinal stenosis: This is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can put pressure on the nerves.
* Osteoarthritis: This is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the spine.
* Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease that can affect the joints in the spine.
* Scoliosis: This is a curvature of the spine that can occur in children and adults.
* Kidney stones: These are hard mineral deposits that can form in the kidneys and cause back pain.
* Infection: This can cause back pain in the form of a kidney infection or a spinal infection.
* Cancer: This can cause back pain in the form of a tumor in the spine or a cancer that has spread to the spine.
Risk Factors for Back Pain
There are certain risk factors that can increase your chances of developing back pain, including:
* Age: Back pain is more common in older adults.
* Obesity: Obese people are more likely to have back pain.
* Smoking: Smoking can increase your risk of back pain.
* Poor posture: Poor posture can put strain on the muscles and ligaments in your back.
* Repetitive lifting: Jobs that require repetitive lifting can increase your risk of back pain.
* Sedentary lifestyle: People who live a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to have back pain.
How is Back Pain Treated?
The treatment for back pain depends on the cause. Some of the most common treatments include:
* Rest: Rest can help to reduce inflammation and pain.
* Ice: Applying ice to your back can help to reduce swelling and pain.
* Heat: Applying heat to your back can help to relax muscles and relieve pain.
* Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, can help to relieve pain.
* Physical therapy: Physical therapy can help to strengthen your back muscles and improve your posture.
* Chiropractic care: Chiropractic care can help to align the spine and relieve back pain.
* Surgery: Surgery is sometimes necessary to treat severe cases of back pain.
Preventing Back Pain
There are certain things you can do to help prevent back pain, including:
* Maintain a healthy weight: Obese people are more likely to have back pain.
* Quit smoking: Smoking can increase your risk of back pain.
* Improve your posture: Poor posture can put strain on the muscles and ligaments in your back.
* Avoid repetitive lifting: Jobs that require repetitive lifting can increase your risk of back pain.
* Get regular exercise: Exercise can help to strengthen your back muscles and improve your flexibility.
* Sit with your feet flat on the ground and your knees bent at a 90-degree angle.
* Avoid twisting or bending your back while lifting heavy objects.
* Use a pillow or rolled-up towel to support your back when sitting.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You should see a doctor if your back pain is severe or does not improve with home treatment. You should also see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms along with back pain:
* Fever
* Weight loss
* Difficulty urinating
* Weakness or numbness in your legs
* Pain that radiates down one or both legs