Back pain - ouch!

Most of us have faced minor back problems at one time or another. For example, we often experience an increase in lower back pain when bending, walking, sitting, or standing too long in one position. Back pain is extremely common - about eight in 10 people in the UK are affected at some time in their lives. To begin on the positive side, patients must understand that most episodes of back pain resolve, and usually within a few weeks. Unfortunately, back pain can be among the most difficult and frustrating problems for patients and their doctors. Back pain can affect anyone at any age, but it's most common in people between the ages of 35 and 55.

Causes of Back Pain: You're more likely to develop simple back pain if you:

• Stand, sit or bend down for long periods
• Muscle strains are the most common cause of low back pain.
• Spinal stenosis causes back pain in the aging population. As we age, the spinal canal can become constricted, due in part to arthritis and other conditions.
• Lift, carry, push or pull loads that are too heavy, or if you go about these tasks in the wrong way
• Have a trip or a fall
• Are stressed or anxious
• Are overweight

Call your doctor if:

• Pain goes down your leg below your knee.
• Your leg, foot, groin or rectal area feels numb.
• You have fever, nausea or vomiting, stomach-ache, weakness, or sweating.
• Redness or swelling on your back.
• High Fever.
• You lose control over going to the bathroom.
• Your pain was caused by an injury.
• Your pain is so intense you can't move around.
• Your pain doesn't seem to be getting better after two to three weeks.

Tips for preventing back strain:

1. Don't lift by bending over. Lift an object by bending your hips and knees and then squatting to pick up the object. Keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body. Avoid twisting your body while lifting.
2. Push rather than pull when you must move heavy objects.
3. If you must sit at your desk or at the wheel of a car or truck for long hours, break up the time with stops to stretch.
4. Think about your posture.

5. Wear flat shoes or shoes with low heels 2.5 cm (1 inch) or lower.

Precautions: Proper back care can greatly reduce the risk of back pain.

• Regular exercise - walking and swimming are particularly recommended

• Reduce your stress levels - use relaxation techniques

• Bend from your knees and hips - not your back

• Maintain good posture - keep your shoulders back and don't slouch

Treatments

Home treatment:

• Stay active - return to your usual level of physical activity as soon as possible. This may hurt more at first, but it will help you get better and reduce your risk of getting simple back pain again.
• Bed rest - if the pain is so bad that you can't get moving, keep the time you stay in bed as short as possible. Lying in bed can do more harm than good.
• Stay positive and set yourself goals - this will help you get back to your usual levels of physical activity.
• Heat therapy - apply a hot water bottle or heat pack directly to the affected area, or take a hot bath.
• Ice therapy - apply a cold compress, such as ice or a bag of frozen peas, wrapped in a towel. Don't apply ice directly to your skin because you could damage it.
• Pace yourself - be careful not to overdo it when your pain improves.

Medicines:

• Painkiller
• Anti-inflammatory medicine
• You can also use creams, lotions and gels that contain painkillers or anti-inflammatory ingredients

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS): TENS relieves back pain by delivering mild electric pulses to the painful area through electrodes on your skin.

Physiotherapy: Physiotherapists can assess and treat your back pain, and teach you exercises to do at home that will increase your mobility and help you manage your pain.

Complementary therapies:

1. Acupuncture.
2. Counseling.
3. The Alexander Technique - becoming more aware of your body's balance, posture, and movement.
4. Herbal remedies.
5. Massage.
   

Injections: Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines (usually steroids) can be injected directly into the epidural space (the space around your spinal cord) or around the joints of your spine to ease pain and decrease inflammation. These injections are only given by specialist doctors in hospitals.

Surgery: Surgery is considered as a last resort in the treatment of back pain. The type of surgery you're offered will depend on the cause of your pain and each type has different risks and success rates.

Some regular exercises can really help you out to protect yourself from the back pain. In our next article we will bring some exercises for your back pain.

(Sources: healthlinkbc.ca, orthopedics.about.com, hcd2.bupa.co.uk, cfpc.ca)