Statistics show that eight out of 10 people experience back pain. The symptoms often occur suddenly, out of the blue. Back pain is the fifth most common requirement for hospitalization. While exercise and treatments such as physiotherapy and acupuncture can help eliminate back pain mostly people rely on pain killers to dull the pain. The problem is this doesn't fix the back pain - in fact it can may it a lot worse!

What Is Back Pain?

This medical condition comes on many forms, including upper back pain, middle pain, and lower back pain. Dorsalgia is pain felt in the back that usually originates from the joints, nerves, or muscles. No specific cause of the pain can be identified in up to 85 percent of cases. Back pain is one of main reasons people go to the doctor and limit their activity.

Causes and Symptoms

Some of the most common causes of back pain include a strain or tear to the muscles, lack of exercise, poor posture, stress, and inflammation of nerves from the spine. Back pain is a symptom that often indicates an underlying condition like a herniated disc, sciatica, bladder infections, pelvic infections, spondylosis, fibromyalgia, and tumors.

People with back pain may experience tension in the supporting muscles of the neck, chronic ache in the middle or lower back, and severe muscle spasms in the lower back. This medical condition doesn't require immediate medical intervention. If you are looking for back pain advice, consult your doctor. He is the only one who can recommend you appropriate treatment.

Back Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

Before treatment begins, your doctor may perform a number of tests to determine what is causing the problem. The most common tests for diagnosing back pain include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, X-rays, blood and urine tests, CT scans, and nerve tests. A thorough medical history will be performed as part of the examination. The doctor will assess your ability to sit, stand, walk and lift your legs.

Back pain usually gets better within a few weeks of home treatment. There are many self-help treatments that may help relieve discomfort. Treatment options include exercise, rest, heat and cold therapy, massage, and acupuncture. Talk to your physiotherapist about what exercises you can do to maintain the health of your back and improve your overall health. The basic treatment for relieving back pain is rest.

Acupuncture for Back Pain

Millions of people are using acupuncture to eliminate back pain. This alternative therapy helps reduce the discomfort associated with lower back pain and improve daily function. Acupuncture is a time-tested treatment that appears to be safe for pain management. Studies indicate that this therapy can maintain positive outcomes for long periods of time without producing the effects associated with other forms of treatment.

Physical Therapy

If you suffer from back pain, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. This treatment aims to relieve discomfort and prevent future back problems. Physical therapy for back conditions focuses on the structures that support the spine and its joints. A physical therapist can apply different treatments such as heat, ice, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and muscle-release techniques. He can also teach you specific exercises to improve your posture and increase joint flexibility.

Exercise

Exercises can be an effective approach to eliminate back pain. Physical activity may be useful for patients with chronic back pain to help them return to normal activities. Exercises may include muscle strengthening, aerobic activity, stretching, and posture control.

A regular routine of back exercises will restore the strength of your back and improve mobility. Most exercises can be done at home without any special equipment. Some of the most popular exercises for back pain include wall squats, heel slides, ankle pumps, straight leg raises, and heel raises. Avoid lifting, twisting or bending until the pain has gone for a few days.

People who suffer from back pain may also try prolotherapy, yoga, spinal manipulation, and cognitive behavior therapy. Walking and cycling can help relieve pain and maintain flexibility. Your doctor may also recommend radiofrequency discal nucleoplasty, intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) and electrical nerve stimulation. These medical procedures have been shown to be effective for patients with intervertebral disc problems. Researchers have found that the best way to prevent back pain is to stay active and exercise regularly.