Children and adolescents generally are very active and may sustain injuries, muscle strain and bruising as a result of their play activities or involvement in sports. However, older people often find that they suffer from back pain without being able to identify any trigger or event which caused the pain to begin.

Often this pain is a referred one and should it continue, it will obviously be best to visit your doctor for a diagnosis. Generally episodes of lower back pain can be treated by using a hot or cold compress, lying on your side with a pillow between your knees, taking a combination of a muscle relaxant and analgesic tablets, or simply engaging in light exercise such as walking. Many doctors recommend abdominal muscle exercises to strengthen the muscles around the back area as a way to combat the pain in the long run.

Pain in the lower back is very common in the middle years, which does not mean that it is any less debilitating. Staying in bed for longer than 48 hours will not reduce the pain, in fact it may exacerbate the problem. There are certain conditions connected to pain in the back which need to be looked out for and in which medical help should be sought. If you find that the pain is referred to the legs in any way, for example if your legs are numb and tingly, you are unable to walk or bend your toes towards the body, stand on tiptoe or if the pain becomes even worse when you are at rest; you probably need medical assistance.

Sufferers who seek back pain relief mostly agree that heat rubs provide only very temporary relief and in the end are a waste of time and money.  Medication can help depending on the cause of the pain and light exercise, in the long run, protects the sufferer from ongoing symptoms. If the pain is in the middle or upper regions of the back it could well be an indication of a kidney or chest infection which would need to be checked out by a qualified physician.

The best way to avoid ongoing episodes of pain in the muscles, joints or back would be to avoid lifting heavy objects, bending your knees if you reach for an item on the floor, sitting on a decent ergonomically designed chair if you are at a desk all day, adopting a good posture when you walk, sit or stand; and doing abdominal exercises regularly to strengthen the muscle groups around the spinal area. Do not leave any symptoms undiagnosed for more than ten days.