This is the Year of Prevention and Maintenance. : Are You Experiencing Back Pain?

Health Tip - Back Pain

What is Back Pain?

Back pain can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain that makes it hard to move. It starts quickly if you fall or lift something too heavy, or it can get worse slowly.

Who Gets Back Pain?

Anyone can have back pain but there are some things that increase your risk:

Age - older adults are more susceptible than young or children;
Gender - back pain is more common among females than males;
Obesity/overweight;
Poor physical fitness;
Sedentary lifestyle
Being overweight;
Heredity;
Depression;
Strenuous physical exercise (especially if not done properly)
Other diseases;
Mentally stressful job;
Strenuous physical work;
Smoking

Another factor is race for example, black women are two to three times more likely than white women to have part of the lower spine slip out of place.

Back pain is categorized into two types Acute or Chronic.

What is the difference Between Acute and Chronic Back Pain?

Acute pain starts quickly and lasts less than 6 weeks. It is the most common type of back pain. Acute pain may be caused by things like falling, being tackled in football or another contact activity, or lifting something heavy.

Chronic pain lasts for more than 3 months and is much less common than acute pain and causes long-term problems.

What Are Some Causes of Back Pain?

Disk breakdown
Spasms
Tense muscles
Strain - the most common causes of back pain are:

Strained muscles
Strained ligaments
Lifting something improperly
Lifting something that is too heavy
The results of an abrupt and awkward movement
A muscle spasm

Structural problems:

Ruptured discs
Bulging disks
Sciatia
Arthritis
Spinal cord narrows

Abnormal curvature of the spine
Osteoporosis
Cancer of the spine
Infection of the spine
Other infections - pelvic inflammatory disease (females), bladder or kidney infections
Sleep disorders
Shingles
Bad mattress
Everyday activities or poor posture:

Bending awkwardly
Pushing something
Pulling something
Carrying something
Lifting something
Standing for long periods
Bending down for long periods
Twisting
Coughing
Sneezing
Muscle tension
Over-stretching
Sitting in a hunched position for long periods
Long driving sessions without a break

Injuries from sprains, fractures, accidents, and falls can result in back pain.

Back pain can also occur with some conditions and diseases, such as:

Scoliosis
Spondylolisthesis
Arthritis
Spinal stenosis
Pregnancy
Kidney stones
Infections
Endometriosis
Fibromyalgia

Other possible causes of back pain are infections, tumors, or stress.

When should you see a Doctor for Back Pain?

Numbness or tingling;
Severe pain that does not improve with rest;
Persistent back pain - lying down or resting does not help;
Pain down the leg;
Pain reaches below the knees;
Pain after a fall or an injury
Pain plus any of these problems:

Trouble urinating (urinary incontinence - you pee unintentionally (small amounts)
Fecal incontinence - you lose your bowel control
Numbness around the genitals, anus or buttocks
Drug abusers
Patients with cancer
Patients with low immune systems
Weakness
Numbness in your legs
Fever
Weight loss when not on a diet
Elevated body temperature (fever)
Inflammation (swelling) on the back

Remember!

Back Pain can be mild or extreme, quick or constant.

How is Back Pain Diagnosed?

To diagnose back pain, your doctor will take your medical history and do a physical exam. Your doctor may order other tests, such as:

X-rays
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Computed tomography (CT) scan
Electromyography or EMG
Bone scan
Blood tests
Chiropractor
An osteopath
Physical therapist

Medical tests may not show the cause of your back pain. Many times, the cause of back pain is never known.
Back pain can get better even if you do not know the cause.

How is Back Pain Treated?

Hot or cold packs
Exercise
Medications
Behavior Changes
Injections
Alternative Medical Treatments:

Manipulation - Professionals use their hands to adjust or massage the spine or nearby tissues.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation - A small box over the painful area sends mild electrical pulses to the nerves.
Acupuncture - A Chinese practice uses thin needles to relieve pain and restore health.
Acupressure - A Therapist applies pressure to certain places in the body to relieve pain

Surgery:

Herniated disk - When one or more of the disks that cushion the bones of the spine are damaged, the jelly-like center of the disk leaks, causing pain.
Spinal stenosis - The spinal canal becomes narrow.
Spondylolisthesis - When or more bones of the spine slip out of place.
Vertebral fractures - A fracture caused by a blow to the spine or by crumbling of the bone due to osteoporosis.
Degenerative disk disease - As people age, some have disks that break down and cause severe pain.

Beware!

Back Pain: Medication and Addiction

There are risks involved with prescription drug addiction, specifically opioid narcotic painkillers:

OxyContin
Percocet
Vicodin

These drugs relive pain immediately and allow people to get out of bed, start physical therapy and change some behaviors that caused their back problems.

How can Back pain be prevented?