Back pain may be due to sprain or muscle tear in the back often due to sudden lifting of weight or strain. This causes an acute back pain. Chronic back pain has various causes. It may be because of strain, obesity, pregnancy, stressful postures, continuous bending postures, tumor in the root of nerves, cancer extended to back, ankylosing spondylitis, kidney problems,bladder infection, cysts in the ovaries, twisting of testicles, minor fractures in the spine, arthritis, osteoporosis, contraction of the spinal canal, disc herniation, ruptured disc or injury to back.
Leg pain may be associated with back pain. In this the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated due to displacement of disc. In such cases numbness and weakness is associated with leg pain. Back pain may be due to psychological reasons also. If the back pain is out of proportion to the injury then most probably the cause is considered to be psychological.
There are different types of back pain. Localized pain is the pain realized on pressure. Diffused pain starts from deep tissue and it spreads to larger area. Radicular pain is due to injury to a nerve root. Referred pain is due to inflammation at some other site in the body. If there is weakness, no bladder control, fever or weight loss then back pain is a serious issue.
It is difficult to diagnose back pain. Detailed history about the nature of the pain, its site, characteristics, onset, positions and activities which relieve or aggravate the pain is taken. In case of radiating pain history of other illnesses is also taken like diabetes, kidney stones, heart murmur, urinary tract infections, peptic ulcer, etc. Normally physical examination is done followed by X-ray. If necessary the doctor may ask for mylogram, CT (Computerized tomography) scan or MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) of the lower back.
Most of the back aches get cured of their own. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs are generally prescribed for acute back pain. For chronic back pain physiotherapy, modifications in occupational or life style along with medications.
Life style modifications include appropriate sitting postures, losing weight if overweight, avoiding smoking or alcohol is recommended. The medications are non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. Massage, use of heat treatments, fitness and flexibility workout are included in physiotherapy. In case of disc herniation surgery is required. If back pain along with leg involvement is not cured by medications, surgery is the option.
Sleeping in bowed position, on the sides and have right angle at the knees helps inn relieving back pain.
Most of cases of back pain are not serious and the pain subsides by pain killers. Almost 80 percent patients with back pain get recovered in 4-6 weeks. Regular exercise and maintaining overall health can prevent back pain occurring again in future.
If one or more of these symptoms are associated with back pain, it is better to consult a doctor: fever, after some injury, inflammation and redness on the spine region, pain going towards leg lower to knee, urine related problem, stool or urine incontinence, unintentional weight loss and prolonged and distinct back pain episode.
To avoid back pain physical exercise, flexibility exercise of back, changing position after every hour especially at work, not to lift weight with jerk, control on body weight and avoiding smoking and alcohol are required. Some more prevention measures for back pain are: avoiding standing for long time, not wearing high heels, sitting arrangement to have proper posture, keep the knees higher than hips while sitting, keep small pillow behind lower back while sitting and learning yoga and techniques of massage.
