Generally back pain occurs due to muscle strain. In the case of lower back pain it could be due to lumbar disc degeneration or a herniated disc. Some common symptoms of back pain are muscle ache, stabbing or shooting pain radiating down your legs. You may find difficulty in standing straight and you can have limited flexibility when you move your back. Depending on the duration of your back pain, it can be considered to be acute or chronic.

Bones, tendons, muscles and ligaments form an intricate structure in the lower back. There are also spinal discs with gelatinous inner cores and small complex joints. From here highly sensitive nerves go down to the legs and feet. Cartilage-like pad discs cushion the segments of the spine. Even a small problem with any of these structures could cause lower back pain. While rest and relaxation can help mild pain, excruciating pain will need hospitalization and sometimes surgery.

Your back muscles and ligaments may get strained when you carry heavy weights or it can happen due to a sudden awkward movement. Medication, rest, heat and ice-cold packs can provide back pain relief. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can help reduce inflammation and the symptoms of back pain. However if the pain worsens or recurs often, it is better to see a specialist who will conduct various tests to locate the cause of the back pain. Heat and ice packs help to relieve most types of back pain. Packs help reduce inflammation. Rest requires the person afflicted with back pain to stop all activity for a few days. Rest allows the injured tissues and nerve roots to heal. Once the healing takes places, the back pain will lessen and eventually cease. However, prolonged rest weakens the muscles. To strengthen weak muscles patients need to exercise regularly so as to build strength and flexibility.

Senior people may experience back pain due to joint degeneration or osteoarthritis. Some people experience back pain due to structural problems like bulging and ruptured discs, arthritis, infection or cancer of the spine and skeletal irregularities. Fever accompanied by back pain could be due to an infection. A tumor on the spine pressing on a nerve could cause tremendous back pain. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the pain in your back if is persistent and lasts for a prolonged time. Check with your doctor as it may require immediate treatment.

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