Back pain is one of the most common health problems. We want you to understand why it happened and teach you what to do if you have a back injury.
Maybe there is no such person in the world who has never experienced a backache in his life. Back pain may be dull and persistent, or it may come on suddenly, forcing you to measure every movement. If you fall or lift any heavy object, it may start suddenly or progress slowly, preventing you from living a full life.
Factors that increase the risk of back pain
No one can resist back pain, but some factors increase the risk of back pain:
- age.The older you are, the more back pain you have. Back pain usually first appears in the 30s and 40s.
- Poor physical condition.Back pain is more common in inactive and sedentary people.
- Overweight.A high-calorie and high-fat diet will make you fat. Too much weight will put more pressure on the spine and cause pain.
- Heredity.There are genetic diseases, one of the symptoms is back pain, such as ankylosing spondylitis.
- Other diseases.Certain types of arthritis and cancer can also cause back pain.
- Your work.If your work continues to require a lot of physical labor, lifting weights, or you have to stay in uncomfortable positions for several hours-the result may be back pain. If you sit at your desk all day and do not sit upright, your back will also be hurt.
- Smoking.If you smoke, your body will not be able to get enough nutrients for your bones, resulting in a gradual loss of spinal strength and flexibility. A smoker's cough can also cause back pain.
What is the reason?
There are many reasons for back pain. Sometimes, the pain may be caused by mechanical reasons, such as:
- Back muscle cramps.
- Spinal cord contusion.
- Stretches muscles.
- Rip the disc.
- Falling from a height.
- Fracture of the spine.
Back pain can be one of the symptoms of certain diseases and conditions, such as:
- Scoliosis.
- Lumbar spondylolisthesis.
- Arthritis.
- Narrow.
- Pregnant.
- Kidney stones.
- Infection.
- Endometriosis.
- Fibromyalgia.
Other possible causes of back pain are infection, swelling or pressure.
How to prevent back pain?
The best way to prevent back pain:
- Exercise regularly to strengthen the back muscles.
- Maintain a healthy weight or be overweight. To have strong bones, you must get enough calcium and vitamin D every day.
- Maintain the correct posture and don't slacken or bend over.
- Avoid heavy objects. If you can’t help lifting weights, do the right thing: bend your legs and keep your back straight, place the weight on the center of your body instead of on the side, and then press the weight on your body, not on the extendedOn the arm. When putting down heavy objects, keep your back straight, squat down, and then put down the heavy objects. After these operations, you need to stand up slowly and cautiously because the spine is very fragile after the weight is transferred.
When to see the doctor?
If so, you should see a doctor
- Numbness or tingling.
- Severe pain will gradually get worse and will not respond to any treatment.
- Pain after a fall or injury.
Pain is accompanied by one of the following symptoms:
- Problems with urination.
- Weaknesses.
- Numbness in the legs.
- Fever.
- Do not diet to lose weight.
What diagnostic methods are used for back pain?
To diagnose back pain, the doctor will ask you in detail about the process and nature of the pain and conduct an examination. After the exam, he will order other tests, for example:
- Radiography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Computed tomography (CT).
- Blood test.
Medical examination may not show the cause of back pain. Often, the cause of back pain is not clear.
What is the difference between acute and chronic back pain?
Acute pain starts quickly and lasts no more than 6 weeks. This is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain may be caused by playing football or falling heavy objects. Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months, much less than acute pain.
How to cure?
The treatment of low back pain depends on the type of pain you have. Acute back pain usually goes away on its own without treatment, but you can take painkillers to relieve the pain. Exercise and surgery are usually not used to treat acute back pain.
Here are some treatments for chronic back pain:
Hot or cold compress (or both)
Hot or cold compresses can relieve pain and relieve back tension. Heat relieves muscle cramps. Colds help reduce swelling, swelling and allergies. Using hot or cold compresses can relieve pain, but this treatment method cannot solve the underlying cause of chronic back pain.
Special exercises
Correct exercise can relieve chronic pain, but should not be used for acute back pain. Your doctor or chiropractor can help you determine the appropriate exercise for your situation.
Medicines
The following are the main medicines used to treat back pain:
- Analgesics.
- Analgesic ointments and ointments are rubbed into the skin on the painful area.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that can reduce pain and swelling. NSAID includes branded drugs. Your doctor may prescribe a stronger NSAID.
- Muscle relaxants and certain antidepressants can relieve certain types of chronic back pain, but this is very individual.
Behavior changes
Learn to lift heavy objects correctly to reduce the burden on your back. Lifestyle changes: healthy eating, quitting smoking, buying high-quality orthopedic mattresses and swimming can all reduce back pain.
Injection
Your doctor may recommend injections of steroids or local pain medications to help relieve pain.
Alternative Therapy
Some unconventional treatments can work well. The most common of these methods is:
- Manual therapy.Chiropractors have techniques that can relieve long-term chronic back pain. However, it should be remembered that even if your doctor is a magician and can relieve the pain several times, you must carefully strengthen the back muscles so that these pains do not recur.
- Acupuncture.Traditional Chinese medicine uses fine needles to relieve pain and restore health. Acupuncture can be effective as part of a comprehensive low back pain treatment plan.
- Shiatsu.The therapist applies pressure to specific parts of the body to relieve pain. The effect of acupressure on back pain is not yet clear.
Surgical treatment
Most people with chronic back pain do not need surgery. This is usually a last resort, if other treatments are ineffective, you can use this method. You may need to do this if you have the following:
- Herniated disc.
- Spinal stenosis.
- Lumbar spondylolisthesis.
- Fractured vertebrae.
- Fractures may be caused by a blow to the back or bone destruction due to osteoporosis.
- Degenerative disc disease.
As we age, the intervertebral discs will begin to rupture and cause severe pain.
Rarely, when back pain is caused by tumors, infections, or nerve roots called "cauda equina syndrome", immediate surgery is needed to relieve the pain and prevent new problems.