Many people complain about back pain; it is a common problem that affects almost everybody at least once in a lifetime. Most common culprits are sitting in a bad posture and bending or lifting inaccurately. Though it affects people of all ages, it is more common among adults of 30 to 55 years. It is actually linked on the way how our bones and ligaments work. Pain in the back bone is often linked to our lumbar spine, vertebrae, nerves and spinal cord, ligaments between spine and discs.
Upper, middle, and lower back pain
Upper and middle back pain generally occurs between neck and the lower part of rib cage which is known as thoracic spine. If you have any injured nerve between these areas, it can affect your arms and legs too. Lower back pain is generally felt in the front, side or back part of your leg.
Lower back pain occurs if any heavy weight is lifted or your back is twisted inaccurately. It also occurs when you sit in a bad posture for a long time. Upper and middle back pain usually occurs less than lower back pain, because the bones between neck and rib cage are not flexible than the lower part of the body. Upper and middle back pain causes numbness in your chest, arms and legs, and weakness in the body.
Nighttime back pain
If you have nighttime pain or nocturnal back pain then it doesn’t matter what adjustments you make to your sleeping position; you will still feel the pain. Almost 44% in UK face the nighttime back pain and can be seen in doctor’s clinic.
Sciatica pain
This type of symptoms generally occurs when pain is transferred from buttock to the thigh making the leg part numb. It generally makes one leg numb and weakens the whole body.
Prevention and treatment
You have to be mobile in order to avoid back pain. Keep moving, sit in good posture, lift the weights accurately. Always try to avoid giving pressure to your back. Regular exercises and making the back flexible is the key to preventing it. Swimming is the best exercise to avoid backache. You can also do yoga and make your muscles flexible and strong.
You should be active as much as you can, as staying inactive for longer time also causes back pain. In earlier days, doctors recommended taking rest during back pains, but now it is always recommended to be active moderately and involving yourself in daily tasks.
Secondly, for severe back pain and instant relief, you can take painkillers like paracetamol or you can apply hot and cold compression packs. Painkillers will give you instant relief but not a permanent one.
Most importantly, being positive is the key to avoid back pain. It’s hard to be happy during back pain but people with positive mind always divert their mind during pains.
You can even take physiotherapy classes but if the pain is severe and it is continued for many weeks, then combination of painkiller and acupuncture is recommended. And, in worst case you can even opt for spinal surgery.
