Musculoskeletal problems.
This can include sprains, strains, muscle spasms, arthritis, scoliosis, fractures, degeneration or disc damage. These problems can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, poor posture, age and repetitive motions such as twisting or lifting heavy objects.
Other underlying conditions.
Back pain could also be a symptom of a more serious health problem, including nerve damage, sciatica, tumors or infection. It also could be, in rare cases, referred kidney pain.
Back pain also can be described in various ways, such as aching, sore, throbbing, tight, or even radiating. It’s no wonder that it’s a common cause of missed workdays. But how do you know when back pain is serious enough to warrant a trip to see your doctor?
While you might be tempted to “walk off” the pain, not taking care of the problem now could lead to permanent disability or delay treatment of a more serious underlying issue like nerve damage or a tumor.
So, if you’ve been in pain for more than a week, your discomfort interferes with your daily life, you experience numbness or weakness, have new bladder or bowel problems or lose weight unexpectedly, it’s time to think about making an appointment.
However, if you’ve already talked to your doctor and your back problems are chronic, there are ways to prevent flare-ups as well as find relief when you’re in pain by:
Applying heat or ice packs.
Ice packs can reduce inflammation and numb pain, while heat relaxes muscles and increases blood flow.
Improving your posture
Good posture reduces muscle and spine strain, improves nerve function and can enhance other aspects of your health, including breathing and digestion.
Strengthening your core.
Strong core muscles, including those in the abdomen and lower back, can help support your spine and posture. Good exercises for building core strength include bridges, crunches and planks.
Maintaining a healthy weight.
Studies show that for every four pounds of weight we lose, we could reduce up to 16 pounds of pressure on our spines.
Remember, your doctor wants to help you find and treat the cause of your pain. Then, you can get back to saving the day—even if you’re not Spider-Man.