What is back pain?
Back pain is a common
complain experienced by a majority of the population. It is a condition
characterized by development of pain in the back region that arises from
muscles, bones, nerves and joints of the spine.
What causes back pain?
The various factors that
give rise to back pain include the following:
- Muscle strain
- Muscle spasm
- Muscle imbalance
- Spinal disc herniation
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Inflammatory disease
- Trauma
- Infections
- Cancer
- Fractures
- Structural defects
- Osteoporosis
- Arthritis
What are different types of back pain?
The following are the
various types of back pain:
- Low back strain
- Sciatica
- Night time back pain
- Cauda equina syndrome
How does back pain spread?
It is not an infectious
disease and does not spread from one person to another.
What are the symptoms of back pain?
The main symptom of back
pain is the development of pain in the lower back region. In many cases, the
pain may even radiate to the legs and buttocks. In addition to these classical
symptoms, if the patients experience the following symptoms, then a doctor
needs to be consulted immediately:
- Unintended weight loss
- Loss of control over bladder movements
- Experiencing difficulty while urination
- Development of numbness around the genital region, buttocks and anus
- Fever
- A constant back ache that does not alleviate while resting
What is the treatment of back pain?
Pain relieving medications
along with physiotherapy forms the basis of the treatment regime. Muscle
relaxants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications are considered for
relieving chronic back pain. Massage and acupressure are relatively effective
for individuals who are suffering from chronic back pain.
In severe cases, when the
patient begins experiencing additional symptoms and the above mentioned
treatment do not work, then surgical procedures may have to be adopted.
How can back pain be prevented?
The following measures can
be adopted for preventing back pain:
- Adopting a good posture
- Make sure you bend your knees while lifting objects and not bend your back while doing so
- While standing, make sure you distribute your weight equally on both feet keeping your spine straight
- As far as possible, wear flat footwear as they exert less strain on back muscles
- Quit smoking
- While driving a car, it is extremely essential that you have a proper back support in your car seat.
- Opt for the bed mattress that keeps your spine straight.
Diet and lifestyle changes for back pain?
Individuals who are
overweight and obese are more prone to develop back pain than normal weight
individuals. Therefore, eating a healthy diet that is low in fat content is
necessary. It is also essential to quit smoking and avoid alcohol consumption.
Regular exercise and staying physically active can also help in strengthening
the back muscles.
What is Ayurvedic treatment for back pain?
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