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.

Backpacks Cause Back Pain

One thing that can give students back pain is carrying around a backpack filled with books and school supplies. Who would have thought that something designed to make a student's life simpler could turn out to give them back pain. There are things that can be done about it and it is important to consider them since the last thing you want is your student going happily off to school, their backpack laden with the day's course books, only to return with an unexpected back pain.

You have to think about the fact it can be a very heavy pack that is pulling down on the shoulders of the student, almost pulling them back if the weight is too heavy. Too often if the pack is too heavy the student winds up leaning forward as they walk. This too can cause potential back pain. If this is kept up over a long period of time it can be the source of shoulders becoming rounded. For that matter an excessively heavy backpack can cause neck, back and shoulder pain. But, there are things that can be done.

First, if you or your child wears a backpack on only one shoulder it could make you lean in the direction of the weight. This too can give you back strain and so back pain as can having trouble getting your back on or off. That means it does not fit your back properly and that can mean back trouble.

There are ways to avoid trouble with your backpack. First always wear both straps. It distributes the weight better making it less of a strain to carry. Make sure the weight sits in the middle of your back. Make sure that the straps are set-up in such a way as to make it easy to put the pack on and take it off. This too lessens strain. But, also make sure they are not too loose since this means the weight will not be held properly by the pack.

Don't over pack the backpack. Take only what you need. This will help to keep the weight down. As an overall rule, the pack should not weigh more than fifteen percent of the person carrying it. Try to put the heavier things you are carrying closer to your back with the light objects on the outside of them. This makes it easier for your back to support the weight. Be certain to get a backpack with good padding on the shoulder straps. It'll reduce strain on the shoulders. Another useful tip is to use, when you can, the hip or waist belts that come with many packs. This helps to distribute the weight as well.

Another backpack problem is those who have big packs and are not careful with the people are around them. They often bump into or even knock over others because of their big packs. A little courtesy goes a long way to avoiding giving others back problems with your oversized heavy backpack.

Written by: Scott Parat