Back Pain - Treatments, Prevention

Back Pain is an ailment affecting over 200 million Americans in one form or another. The most common location on the spine of back pain is in the lower back area. Any type of back pain is a nuisance. Lower back pain can be disabling as we use our backs in most of the movements of our bodies. Back injuries of one type or another account for the majority of reported work injuries for employees under age 40. Back pain can either be acute, meaning on a new occasion or caused by a specific accident or incident. Usually acute back pain can be treated and alleviated in less than 4 - 6 weeks. Chronic back pain can linger for a long time. It may start quickly or come on gradually. Acute back pain is much more common than chronic back pain.

Back pain can have mechanical causes. An example of this is when, due to deterioration, one disk in the group of lumbar vertebrae slips forward over another disc and they rub together. Other types of mechanically caused back pain can be herniated discs or fractures from over stressing the spinal column and lumbar vertebrae. This often occurs when workers are not knowledgeable of the proper method of lifting. Workers properly trained know how to lift in a manner that reduces the strain on the lumbar vertebrae in the back.

The back has 5 sections; cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum and coccyx. The lumbar section is the section most injured from lifting and violent physical accidents. There are 33 vertebrae in total and they are held so as to work as a combined unit by ligaments and muscles with discs between the vertebrae. The discs are center filled with fluid which allows them to be like shock absorbers from one vertebra to the next. Some vertebrae, such as in the coccyx, which is the tail bone, are fused together with no shock absorbing disc between them. The function of the spine, which is what the entire system of vertebrae, discs and ligaments held together is named, is to provide support for the rest of the body and to protect the spinal cord and spinal nerves that traverse through the spinal canal in the middle of the spine.

Some back pain is the result of congenital, birth, disorders. Another source of back pain can be disease, infections or tumors, either malignant or benign. One type of congenital back disorder is scoliosis, which is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Arthritis can cause back pain as well, in both forms osteoarthritis and rheumatoid. Tumors that affect the spine and cause back pain usually come from a tumor that has spread from another part of the body.

In order to diagnose the location and cause of back pain, in order to determine the proper type of treatment, the patient must do a good job of informing the doctor of as many aspects of the pain as possible. There are tests that can be run, such as x-rays, bone scans, and MRI's. These tests can pinpoint problems in bone or soft tissue due to accidental injuries. Sometimes blood and urine tests are necessary to determine if the body is fighting infection that might be the cause of the back pain.

There are several ways to treat back pain. The most often used treatment is rest and restricted movement. Doctors usually only allow a maximum of 48 - 72 hours of bed rest followed by some type of physical therapy. This combined with heat treatments to the area with pain are used to reduce pain and relieve spasms. If there is an area of swelling then cold packs are first used to reduce the swelling. Most affected persons first try common over the counter medicines such as aspirin, Tylenol or some of the newer types to relieve pain before going to the doctor. If pain persists more than 2 days it is advisable to get to a doctor.

When medical doctors are unable to relieve pain some affected persons turn to Chiropractors for physical adjustments of the spine. Acupuncture and acupressure are also often tried as nagging back pain greatly reduces the quality of our lives. Many people with back pain report that water therapy, which simply is moving about in a chest high pool of water, provides significant relief from back pain.

The way to prevent or avoid back pain is to do moderate exercise, know proper lifting techniques and to review any planned extensive program of physical exercise with a doctor.

Workers required to do significant amounts of heavy lifting should wear lumbar supports. Women should avoid long periods of walking on high heels. Another important thing to maintain good back health is proper posture. This is something that should be continually taught and re-enforced with children as in their younger years is when the spine is developing into the shape it will maintain for most of the rest of the persons life.

Taking care of our backs is an important factor in maintaining a high quality of life. Take good care of your back and it will take care of you and not let you down.