Back Pain - You must Know

Definition:
Back pain (usually one refers for lower back region) is one of the most common reasons people visit the doctor or miss work and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Most people have back pain at least once.
Fortunately, one can take measures to prevent or relieve most back pain episodes. If prevention fails, simple home treatment and proper body mechanics often will heal back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.

Signs and symptoms of back pain may include:
1. Muscle ache
2. Shooting or stabbing pain
3. Pain that radiates down your leg
4. Limited flexibility or range of motion of the back
Most back pain gradually improves with home treatment and self-care, usually within two weeks. If not, see your doctor.

In rare cases, back pain can signal a serious medical problem. Seek immediate care if your back pain:
1. Causes new bowel or bladder problems
2. Is accompanied by fever
3. Follows a fall, blow to your back or other injury
4. Is severe and doesn't improve with rest
5. Spreads down one or both legs, especially if the pain extends below the knee
6. Causes weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
7. Is accompanied by unexplained weight loss
8. First time after age 50, or if you have a history of cancer, osteoporosis, steroid use, or drug or alcohol abuse.

Back pain can come on suddenly and last less than six weeks (acute), which may be caused by a fall or heavy lifting. Back pain that lasts more than three months (chronic) is less common than acute pain.
Back pain often develops without a specific cause that your doctor can identify with a test or imaging study. Conditions commonly linked to back pain include:
1. Muscle or ligament strain
2. Bulging or ruptured disks
3. Arthritis
4. Skeletal irregularities like osteoporosis

Risk factors
Anyone can develop back pain, even children and teens. Research has yet to prove what contributes to back pain. However, these factors might put you at greater risk of developing back pain:
1. Age
2. Lack of exercise
3. Excess weight
4. Diseases
5. Improper lifting
6. Psychological conditions
7. Smoking

Investigations
If you see your doctor for back pain, he or she will examine your back and assess your ability to sit, stand, walk and lift your legs. Your doctor might also ask you to rate your pain on a scale of zero to 10 and talk to you about how well you're functioning with your pain.

These assessments help determine where the pain comes from, how much you can move before pain forces you to stop and whether you have muscle spasms. They will also help rule out more-serious causes of back pain.
If there is reason to suspect a specific condition may be causing your back pain, your doctor may order one or more tests:
1. X-ray
2. Mri or ct scans
3. Blood tests
4. Bone scan
5. Nerve studies (electromyography, or emg)

Most acute back pain gets better with a few weeks of home treatment. Over-the-counter pain relievers and the use of heat or ice might be all you need. Bed rest isn't recommended. Continue your activities as much as you can tolerate. Try light activity, such as walking and activities of daily living. Stop activity that increases pain, but don't avoid activity out of fear of pain. If home treatments aren't working after several weeks, your doctor might suggest stronger medications or other therapies.

Medications
Depending on the type of back pain you have, your doctor might recommend the following:
1. Over-the-counter (otc) pain relievers
2. Muscle relaxants
3. Topical pain relievers
4. Narcotics
5. Antidepressants
6. Injections

Education
Physical therapy and exercise
Physical therapy is the cornerstone of back pain treatment. A physical therapist can apply a variety of treatments, such as heat, ultrasound, electrical stimulation and muscle-release techniques, to your back muscles and soft tissues to reduce pain.
As pain improves, the therapist can teach you exercises that can increase your flexibility, strengthen your back and abdominal muscles, and improve your posture. Regular use of these techniques can help prevent pain from returning.

Surgery
Few people need surgery for back pain. If you have unrelenting pain associated with radiating leg pain or progressive muscle weakness caused by nerve compression, you may benefit from surgery. Otherwise, surgery usually is reserved for pain related to structural problems, such as narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) or a herniated disk, that hasn't responded to other therapy.
A number of alternative treatments may ease symptoms of back pain. Always discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before starting any new alternative therapy.
1. Chiropractic care
2. Acupuncture
3. Massage
4. Yoga

You may be able to avoid back pain or prevent its recurrence by improving your physical condition and learning and practicing proper body mechanics.
To keep your back healthy and strong:
1. Exercise
2. Build muscle strength and flexibility
3. Maintain a healthy weight
4. Stand smart
5. Sit smart
6. Lift smart

Buyer beware
Because back pain is so common, variety of products and neem hakim promise to prevent or relieve your back pain. But, there's no definitive evidence that special shoes, shoe inserts, back supports, specially designed furniture or stress management programs can help. In addition, there doesn't appear to be one type of mattress that's best for people with back pain. It's probably a matter of what feels most comfortable to you.