Strong Back for a healthy life
Back pain is one of the most common causes for time off work. Many people experience this problem at least once during their lifetime. The pain may be felt in the neck, in the upper back, or in the low back and may include symptoms other than pain, such as weakness, numbness or tingling. Usually back pain resolves within 3 weeks without any intervention. However, some patients develop recurring back pain after the first episode. In 90% of the cases the cause of back pain is a musculoskeletal problem rather any serious issue. That is, the back pain is either caused by tight muscles or weak muscles or poor posture.
Therapeutic intervention: Bed Rest: This is one of the simplest and easiest means of managing back pain. Bed rest relieves pressure on the discs and the muscles around the back thus reducing pain. Passive Modalities: Their use is suggested during acute pain. This includes use of heat, cold, electrical modalities for pain relief. Anti-inflammatory Medications: These medications can be taken in an acute episode of back pain to relieve pain and spasm of the muscles.
Sleeping Posture: Sleep on a firm matters. Lie in any position which relieves your symptoms of pain. Lying down with your back on the mattress with the knees slightly bent is usually comfortable lying down with the stomach on the back relieves symptoms in some cases. Anyway, listen to your body!
Musculoskeletal Treatment: Musculoskeletal Treatment involves mobilization of joints of the lumbar spine or release of the tight muscular structures around the back area. This usually brings about an immediate relief in back pain of musculoskeletal nature.
Avoidance of Awkward Postures: Sitting with back supported and taking a break from sitting after every hour is suggested. Prolonged sitting burdens the disc. Thus taking a brief walk after every hour relives the pressure on the disc and associated muscles.
Flexibility Exercise: More often the cause of back pain is the tightness of muscles around. Thus stretching these tight muscles relieves pressure on the back. Good muscle flexibility exercise helps in maintaining a good posture and a healthy back
Strengthening exercise: Stronger the muscles around the back region, lesser the chance of recurrence of back pain. So to reduce the episode back pains, follow strengthening exercise routine. More importantly, this should be done on a regular basis.
Lumbar Stabilization Exercises: These are the exercise to strengthen your core muscles which stabilize the back and prevent it from further injuries. A stronger core acts as a corset for the lumbar spine thus reducing the chances of recurrence of back pain.
Reiki: Back pain commonly causes stress among patients with fear of inability to perform their daily tasks. In such cases reiki is of great help as it reduces stress and provides wholesome relief.
- Consult a doctor if there is:
- An injury to your back
- Pain radiating down the leg
- Sharp shooting pain over the back
- Pain radiating to the groin area
- Reduced bladder control
- Loss of sensation in the legs
- Weakness in the legs
- Fever, nausea, vomiting symptoms existing along with back pain.
