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.

Treating Back Pain at Home

So many people suffer from back pain that it has become a common ailment. This pain can be caused by a variety of problems, the most frequent of which consist of muscle strain, herniated disc, or pinched nerves. There are certainly many more things that can be a problem for one's back including injuries and certain medical conditions. The more serious the problem the more likely you will need to go to your health care provider for treatment. If you think what you have done to your back may be serious do not hesitate to see your health care provider immediately. At the same time remember that many back pain issues can just as easily be dealt with at home.

If you've strained your back muscles, you may find yourself in a lot of pain. The first step to recovery is trying bed rest. This is not to suggest days of lying in bed. That would be detrimental to the muscles in your back. Not using them for several days could weaken them and potentially cause more back problems. But a few hours of down time can be beneficial. It takes the stress of the muscles having to support a person and gives them a break and if you use cold packs or a hot water bottle, or heating pad, you could actually improve the pain. Do not lie down on a soft mattress this will give you no support and do nothing for your back. A firm mattress is a must.

Ask your partner if they would give you a gentle back massage. This can work wonders in relieving back pain, but if it hurts a lot stop it immediately. Another really good back treatment consists of a hot bath or, if you have one, a whirlpool. Either one can go a long way to helping the muscles in your back to loosen up and so ease the pain. One other problem with back pain is that the worse it gets the more stressed a person can become as they must learn to deal with the pain and the confines of movement. This stress makes it harder for the muscles to relax. That is another benefit of the hot bath. It relaxes both the person and their back muscles.

There are a variety of over the counter medications that can help. Many pain relievers also contain anti-inflammatories and although they do not have the strength of those prescribed by your health care provider they are a good start. Your pharmacist can tell you which ones are the best to try. There are also creams, called analgesics, which can be used to help relieve the pain in your back.

Most back pain will come and go fairly quickly. If this is your experience then you should be able to learn what works for you and take care of your back yourself in the comfort of your own home. Consider that instead of becoming reliant on a physician for back pain relief.

Written by: Scott Parat