Back pain is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. The pain is usually divided into neck pain, upper back pain, and lower back pain.

Four out of every five people will suffer from back pain at least once in their lifetime and is one of humanity’s most frequent complaints and it’s the top reason why people miss work. It can affect anyone at any age, but it’s more common in people between the ages of 35 and 55, or over. It can be a short term problem or pain, lasting a few days or weeks, a long term problem might continue for many months or even years.

It could range anywhere from a dull ache to a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may be felt in the upper back (transmitted to the arm and hand) or lower back (transmitted to the foot and leg) and may include symptoms other than pain, such as general weakness, numbness of the body or tingling.

It’s often very difficult to know exactly what the cause of lower back pain is, but is usually thought to be related to strain in one of the interconnecting structures in your back.

Back ache usually affects the lower part of the back. Lower back pain is a common disorder affecting nearly 80 percent of people at some point in their lives.

General recommendations for back pain relief are to resume normal, or near normal, activity as soon as possible. However stretching or activities that place strain on the back are discouraged

One can alsotry and use an ice pack, a gel pack, or even a bag of frozen peas (not to be reused) and gently place on the painful area for 20-30 minutes for the first couple of days, this will reduce any swelling

Back pain relief can also be found by taking anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprophen to relieve the back pain. If one is injured, you can seek back pain relief by using a heating pad at a low temperature for 20-30 minutes, care should be taken by not falling asleep as the heating pad may burn.

Resting on a firm mattress on your back with your knees elevated, may also provide lower back painrelief. Using a pillow or no pillow might be useful. Some people are comfortable resting on their side their knees bent. Some doctors recommend lying with a pillow under your knee.

Engaging in physical activity within the limits of pain may help in back pain relief. Exercise may be useful for people with chronic lower back pain to help in returning them to normal activities and work.

Surgery maybe indicated if conservative treatment is not providing back pain relief, or when the patient develops progressive and functionally limiting neurological symptoms such as leg weakness, bladder or bowel incontinence.
Physical therapy can help in the relief of lower back pain, this usually done by a professionally-trained massage therapist.