What Are the Symptoms of Back Pain?
Most people have experienced back pain sometime in their life. The causes of back pain are numerous; some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits. Other back pain causes include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Although the causes may be different, most often they share the same symptoms.
Most people have experienced back pain sometime in their life. The causes of back pain are numerous; some are self-inflicted due to a lifetime of bad habits. Other back pain causes include accidents, muscle strains, and sports injuries. Although the causes may be different, most often they share the same symptoms.
The symptoms for back pain are:
* Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the hips.
* Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity.
* Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods.
* Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes.
* Inability to stand straight without having severe muscle spasms in the low back.
* Persistent aching or stiffness anywhere along your spine, from the base of the neck to the hips.
* Sharp, localized pain in the neck, upper back, or lower back — especially after lifting heavy objects or engaging in other strenuous activity.
* Chronic ache in the middle or lower back, especially after sitting or standing for extended periods.
* Back pain that radiates from the low back to the buttock, down the back of the thigh, and into the calf and toes.
* Inability to stand straight without having severe muscle spasms in the low back.
What Are the Treatments for Back Pain?
Because back pain stems from a variety of causes, treatment goals are pain relief and restored movement. The basic treatment for relieving back pain from strain or minor injury is rest. An ice pack can be helpful, as can aspirin or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to reduce pain and inflammation. After the inflammation subsides, applying heat can soothe muscles and connective tissue.
Long-term bed rest, which is considered greater than 72 hours, is not only no longer considered necessary for most cases of back pain, it is actually potentially harmful, making recovery slower and potentially causing new problems. In most cases, you will be expected to start normal, nonstrenuous activity (such as walking) within 24 to 72 hours. After that you should begin controlled exercise or physical therapy. Physical therapy treatments may employ massage, ultrasound, whirlpool baths, controlled application of heat, and individually tailored exercise programs to help you regain full use of the back. Strengthening both the abdominal and back muscles helps stabilize the spine. You can prevent further back injury by learning — and doing — gentle stretching exercises and proper lifting techniques, and maintaining good posture.
If back pain keeps you from normal daily activities, your doctor can help by recommending or prescribing pain medications. Over-the-counter painkillers such as Tylenol, aspirin, or ibuprofen can be helpful. Your doctor may prescribe prescription strength anti-inflammatories/pain medicines or may prefer to prescribe combination opioid/acetaminophen medications such as Vicodin or Percocet. Some doctors also prescribe muscle relaxants. But beware, these medications have their main effect on the brain, not the muscles, and often cause drowsiness and dependence. Other medicines such as antidepressants and anticonvulsants are sometimes prescribed to help with pain related to irritated nerves.
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