What is Back Pain?

Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than 3 months. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine.

Currently, researchers are examining the use of different drugs to effectively treat back pain, in particular, chronic pain that has lasted at least 6 months. Other studies are comparing different health care approaches to the management of acute low back pain (standard care versus chiropractic, acupuncture, or massage therapy). These studies are measuring symptom relief, restoration of function, and patient satisfaction.

Daily Habits Affect Back Pain

Everything you do in your daily life effects how your back will react. If you have noticed a propensity to back pain then you should work especially hard to learn the best ways to do things that will avoid aggravating the problem more. If on the other hand you are lucky enough not to have back pain you want to do your best to keep it that way. Therefore you should learn the best ways to sit, lift, sleep or play while preventing back strain.

There are easy rules to remember on how to lift. Always bend from the knees. Then, from a squatting position lift the item. Make sure your back is straight and that the item you are lifting is held close to the body. This is one of the most important back pain prevention rules to use, as it's the most frequently reported cause of back pain. If you are trying to move something heavy push it in front of you instead of pulling it behind you. You should wear flat shoes, or if you must wear heels don't let them exceed an inch. High heels unbalance a person and can cause back pain. If in your job you sit for long periods of time either in front of a computer screen or if you drive for a living make sure you take regular breaks to exercise. Common sense says that even light exercise will keep you physically fit and that will make a big difference in keeping the pain away.

There are better ways to sit, stand and even sleep that can help to reduce back pain. When you sleep make sure to use a firm mattress. If your mattress is too soft you should either replace it or put a board under it to add the firmness your back requires. Try to avoid sleeping on your stomach. It's the least desired sleeping position. But if you must sleep that way put a pillow under your hips. If you prefer to sleep on your back putting pillows under your knees and a small one under your lower back are suggested. Lying on your side with your knees bent is the smart way to sleep. You may use a pillow under your head as this gives good neck support. Some people put a pillow between their knees but this is not necessary nor will it affect back strain.

When sitting, especially for long periods of time, make sure your chair has lower back support or that at the very least it has a straight back. If someone tries to get your attention when you are sitting do not turn only your head but turn your whole body to them.. If you drive long distances put a small pillow behind your back or roll up a towel to put there. This gives you more back support. These avoid back strain. If you follow these simple rules you'll avoid much of the back pain that most have to deal with.

Written by: Scott Parat