Back Pain

Pain in the lower back is common and even occurs regularly as you get older.

The pain could be felt at any point on the spine from neck to the waist.

Most of the time it improves and disappears within weeks or months, and in cases like that it is not caused by anything serious. You should not worry.

At times pain could be severe and stop you from doing usual daily activities or it would keep coming back.

When to worry

You worry and should see the doctor immediately if you have back pain and

• have difficulty urinating, or loss control of your bladder- peeing on yourself.
• have lost control of your bowel- pooing on yourself.
• numbness in the genital or buttock area.
• high temperature.
• sudden weight loss when you are not trying to lose weight.
• lump in the back.
• severe pain in the upper back between your shoulders.

How to stop back pain

Stay as active as possible during the time you have back pain. Keep moving even it means walking about in your room or house.

Do not worry, the activity is not doing more damage to the back.

Do not go and lie down because you have back pain, otherwise your back would cease up or go into spasm.

Exercises like walking, swimming, and even stretching of the back in your room helps.

Take some pain killers to ease off the pain. If the pain is relieved it would also help you continue your daily activities and do exercises. You can get some balm from the chemist to rub in the area. Cold packs like a pack of ice blocks wrapped in the towel pressed in the area would give some relief.

You need to remain positive that the pain would eventually disappear, and this can help you recover quicker.

Physiotherapy to the back could help in cases that last for too long.

What are the causes of back pain?

Most of the time, it would not be possible to know what had caused the back pain. It is important to know that it is not caused by anything serious.

Slight muscle sprain or strain may cause it.

A slipped disc-the bone or cartilage in the spine have slightly moved and pressing on a nerve.

Wear and tear as a result of aging spine ( osteoarthritis of the spine) in the older people.

Sciatica- when for no reason, there is  irritation of the nerve that goes from the back to the legs and the feet.

When the nerve is involved, you may start to have complains like numbness, tingling sensation, and slight weakness in the legs.

How do you look after your back and prevent back pain-Back Health?

If you look after your back now, you are less likely to have regular back pain when you are older.

You must remain active-Regular exercises help strength your back muscles. Strong back muscles = less back pain.

Physiotherapy, osteopaths and chiropracts offer you exercises that strengthen the back muscles.

Any exercise is alright, but swimming is very good for the back. But remember exercises also help to improve your general health, both physical and mental.

Check your posture always when sitting. Sit straight with your back well supported by the chair, to avoid strain on your back. Have regular breaks from sitting, avoid sitting for too long.

Learn and follow the correct way to lift and handle heavy loads to avoid strain on the back.

Make sure your bed mattress is firm and supports your back. At times all you need  to do to stop regular back pain is to change your worn out mattress.

 If you are overweight, lose weight by doing regular exercises and have a healthy diet. A lot of body weight would also mean too much weight on the back causing strain on the spine.