Back pain (also known "dorsalgia") is pain felt in the back that may originate from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. Back pain in individuals with medical conditions that put them at high risk for a spinal fracture, such as osteoporosis or multiple myeloma, warrants prompt medical attention. Back pain from osteoporosis is most commonly related to compression fractures of the vertebra.
Your Spine:
The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. The various muscles that are attached to the spine enable the spine to bend and move in various ways. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities. At the lowest end of the spine, some patients may have tailbone pain (also called coccyx pain or coccydynia). Others may have pain from their sacroiliac joint at the bottom of the lumbar spine, called sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Over Weight?
If you are overweight, exercise will help you to lose weight, which will reduce the strain on your back. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine, which can hinder the healing process. The weight gain often associated with smoking cessation can often contribute to back pain. In a recent review of medical literature published by the Department of Veteran Affairs Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, a relationship between increases in body weight and low back pain, along with osteoarthritis and other painful conditions was found.
Pregnancy:
Women who are most at risk for back pain are those who are overweight or had back pain prior to pregnancy. Poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can trigger or escalate the pain you experience in your back.
Relief:
Pain relief is obtained by interfering with pain signals to the brain and by causing the release of natural painkillers (called endorphins). Pharmacological interventions for the relief of LBP include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical analgesics, muscle relaxants, opioids, corticosteroids, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. A German team found almost half the patients treated with acupuncture felt pain relief. Hot or cold packs may bring temporary relief but don't fix the cause.
Treatment:
Treatment of ongoing back problems must be directed at the cause. Your doctor might recommend medications or suggest you try complementary and alternative medical treatments, such as manipulation of the spine, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (mild electrical pulses), acupuncture (thin needles used for pain relief) and acupressure (pressure applied to certain places in the body).
Therapy:
Spinal adjustment (manipulation) is one form of therapy chiropractors use to treat restricted spinal mobility. Cold compression therapy is advocated for a strained back or chronic back pain and is postulated to reduce pain and inflammation, especially after strenuous exercise such as golf, gardening, or lifting.
Benefits of Exercise:
Many people find relief from back pain through stretching exercises or alternative therapies like yoga, but chronic back pain may require medication and more intensive treatment. Evidence suggests that the best way to prevent bouts of back pain is simply to keep active, and to exercise regularly.
Your Spine:
The spine is a complex interconnecting network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and all are capable of producing pain. The various muscles that are attached to the spine enable the spine to bend and move in various ways. Large nerves that originate in the spine and go to the legs and arms can make pain radiate to the extremities. At the lowest end of the spine, some patients may have tailbone pain (also called coccyx pain or coccydynia). Others may have pain from their sacroiliac joint at the bottom of the lumbar spine, called sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Over Weight?
If you are overweight, exercise will help you to lose weight, which will reduce the strain on your back. Smoking reduces blood flow to the lower spine, which can hinder the healing process. The weight gain often associated with smoking cessation can often contribute to back pain. In a recent review of medical literature published by the Department of Veteran Affairs Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development, a relationship between increases in body weight and low back pain, along with osteoarthritis and other painful conditions was found.
Pregnancy:
Women who are most at risk for back pain are those who are overweight or had back pain prior to pregnancy. Poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can trigger or escalate the pain you experience in your back.
Relief:
Pain relief is obtained by interfering with pain signals to the brain and by causing the release of natural painkillers (called endorphins). Pharmacological interventions for the relief of LBP include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), topical analgesics, muscle relaxants, opioids, corticosteroids, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. A German team found almost half the patients treated with acupuncture felt pain relief. Hot or cold packs may bring temporary relief but don't fix the cause.
Treatment:
Treatment of ongoing back problems must be directed at the cause. Your doctor might recommend medications or suggest you try complementary and alternative medical treatments, such as manipulation of the spine, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (mild electrical pulses), acupuncture (thin needles used for pain relief) and acupressure (pressure applied to certain places in the body).
Therapy:
Spinal adjustment (manipulation) is one form of therapy chiropractors use to treat restricted spinal mobility. Cold compression therapy is advocated for a strained back or chronic back pain and is postulated to reduce pain and inflammation, especially after strenuous exercise such as golf, gardening, or lifting.
Benefits of Exercise:
Many people find relief from back pain through stretching exercises or alternative therapies like yoga, but chronic back pain may require medication and more intensive treatment. Evidence suggests that the best way to prevent bouts of back pain is simply to keep active, and to exercise regularly.
About the Author:
Another in the 'By The Doc' series - an expert guide to the causes and remedies of Back Pain. Find out how to avoid Back Pain, its causes and the best remedies. Always seek advice from a qualified medical practitioner. You can get a unique content version of this article.
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