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.

Misconceptions About Back Pain

When you have back pain everyone becomes an expert. All your friends, family and co-workers will tell you, usually without being asked, what you should do about your back pain. They'll explain, often at great length, why the pain is there, the causes and the cures. And just as often they are wrong. Back pain misconceptions can be a reason for a person doing the wrong things for their back. So, to begin with be careful who you listen to and what advice you are prepared to follow. Then, once you know exactly what your symptoms are try talking to your health care provider, or if you don't think its bad enough to warrant a visit to the doctor, search the net and see what you can find that deals with your back symptoms

First though, let's dispel some of the back pain myths that you may have already heard. While you are sitting at your desk suffering, the office jock comes over to tell you how that will never happen to them. They are in far too good physical condition and if only you were you would not be suffering from that terrible back pain. This is false. Though being in good physical condition is a bonus in fighting back strain it can happen to anyone at any time. Men over forty five will find that back pain is the leading reason for absence from work. Athletes, both professional and amateur, deal with back pain all the time.

Don't blame your parents for your back pain. This is one condition that is not passed along genetically. Also do not let anyone try to tell you that the spine is a delicate mass of bones that can be easily damaged which is why so many people experience back pain. This is false. The spine is strong. With the ligaments muscles and tendons that surround it the spine is ready to take on the active life of the average person. It can withstand jarring, physical exertion and remain strong and flexible. If you provide it with continuous, even gentle exercise, it will remain strong.

If you hear someone say that the back pain they are experiencing is so severe that they know they are going to need surgery don't start planning for their hospital stay. Ninety percent of back pain, including the most painful, is cured by a combination of medication, rest, gentle exercise and common sense. Most back pain is gone in a matter of weeks. Those who experience chronic back pain, where it lasts longer than six weeks, will still be able to rid themselves of this pain, most times, without having to resort to something as drastic as surgery.

Another misconception is that the only way to diagnose the cause of severe back pain is by using an MRI. Although these can certainly be useful in making a diagnosis, they are not necessary most times. There are many steps that will come first starting with a complete physical.

Written by: Scott Parat