It was believed in previous studies that back pain heals on its own over time. However, recent studies have shown that this is not necessarily the case. If not taken care of, back pain will improve temporarily but is most likely to return soon. It was also discovered that back pain if ignored, continues to affect people for a more extended period. It is essential to treat back pain properly.
It can range in intensity from mild to severe pain. The most common back pain occurs in the lower back area and can be caused by several reasons. Back pain can also get worse with unhealthy body positions or sitting for long hours at a time. If the back pain is mild, it may go away on its own. However, if the pain is severe and regular, it is crucial to get it checked by your health care provider and obtain an accurate diagnosis.
Back pain symptoms may also be accompanied sometimes by stiffness, reduced range of movement, weakness, numbness, or tingling sensations, although the latter tend to appear more often when the spinal cord is affected.
What causes back pain?
Back pains can have numerous reasons. But often no specific cause can be tracked, and the pain will stop. There can be two types of back pain: acute and chronic back pain. If the pain in the back is present for less than a month, then the pain is acute.
And if the pain has been there for a more extended period, then the pain is chronic. Chronic pain and illnesses are often less common than acute pains and last more than three months.
The pain can be caused by injuries such as a fracture, muscle strain or ruptured disk. Medical conditions such as skeletal irregularities, osteoporosis, arthritis, nerve pinching (which triggers pain signals) etc. can also be a reason for back pain, but are more on the severe side.
The most common causes of back pain can be a person’s age, excess weight, lack of exercise, diseases, smoking, psychological conditions, improper lifting, etc.
Lower back pain also tends to be more prevalent than pain in other regions of the spine, due to the role that the vertebrae in this section play in supporting the upper body. The muscles, bones and joints of the lower back can all be affected, which is something that is referred to as lumbago. Consequently, chronic low back pain is also the most widespread type of chronic spine pain.
What can I do to prevent back pain?
One of the best ways to treat and prevent back pain is to use the Backrack spinal care device.
Backrack is an effective orthopaedic device that decompresses the whole spine through easy exercises.
Another effective way to prevent back pain is to keep your back muscles active. To do this, the following steps can be followed:
- Exercise is the most effective way to strengthen back muscles and keep your spine in good shape. It gives the back a natural process to stay in shape and let a person perform tasks at any age. A high number of people worldwide suffer from back problems. The reason often includes an idle routine and a lack of exercise. That is why it is recommended to do back strengthening exercises and stretches at least two days a week.
- Avoid lifting heavy weights as it can build pressure on your spine and cause spinal discs to bulge or even rupture. Even if you require to lift heavy weights, the right way to lift them can be employed to prevent strain on the back. Keep your back straight while bending your knees and lift the weight by using your legs and giving no pressure on the back. This way, the entire force will be put on the leg muscles instead of the spine.
- With proper exercising, follow a balanced diet and avoid foods that could cause obesity — being overweight plays a significant role in back pain.
You can also work with a physiotherapist to improve spine mobility and reduce pain. Using pain relievers is not recommended for back issues as they only address the surface of the problem, and not the root cause.
Author: Spinal Backrack