According to a recent study almost 80% Americans suffer from back pain at some point or the other in their life time. Back pain is a very common condition with various causes. Back pain pr back ache is stated to be the most common reason, people visit the doctor for.
Back pain or backache though a medical condition, but is not a disease on its own. Back pain is a variable condition of the back including neck and back pain, upper back pain, lower back pain and associated back pain. Back pain medically known as Dorsalgia is a condition in which there can be dull or sharp excruciating pain which can arise from bones, muscles, nerves, tissues or joints. Back pain can be classified according to anatomical region, etiology or the nature of the back ache.
Back pain can be caused by a number of causes including anatomical disorders, structural causes, postural disturbances, sleep disturbances, muscular cramps, degenerative bone disorders, arthritis, spinal disorders, nerve disorders, tissue rupture, weight related disorders, age factors, smoking (nerve damage due to smoking and addiction), medical condition associated back ache, fever and lethargic conditions, muscle strains, stress related back ache, joint pains, pain during pregnancy and menstrual conditions, osteoporosis and more.
Back pain can be acute or chronic in nature. With acute pain being more excruciating, intense associated with traumas and muscle strains while the chronic back pain is dull, prolonged and usually associated with diseases, old age and bone degenerative disorders. The diagnosis for back pain is very important. Apart from history and physical checkup; x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, bone scans and various blood tests are also important in diagnosing back ache causes as the right diagnosis greatly matters for the right choice of the treatment.
Treatment of back pain also diverges as the causes do, and with the passage of time it’s getting more assorted as new advancements are being done everyday to help relieve the sufferers. The treatment options can be as simple as herbal formulas to even an extensive surgical treatment. These treatments are generally focused to achieve the maximum relief from the pain and physical disturbances caused by the back pain. The treatment options include pain management, medications, physiotherapy, heat and cold treatment, acupuncture, massages, manipulative and physical therapies, exercises, surgeries, electrotherapy, inversion therapy and vertebra-plasties.
Back pain can be prevented by taking proper care and having concerns about the health. There is no chance that prevention is better than cure. The right care of muscles, bones, joints and postures help a lot in prevention of the back aches. Calcium and vitamin enriched diet helps making the bones and joints health and keep astray from conditions susceptible to back ache. Regular exercises and proper physical training makes the muscles and ligaments strong and the bones in more flexible conditions. Similarly taking care in everyday routine movements like sleeping, sitting, standing and walking also does count and can create a great difference. A doctors consultation is greatly advised even in minor back ache case.
