Read these 6 Back Pain Relief Tips tips to make your life smarter, better, faster and wiser. Each tip is approved by our Editors and created by expert writers so great we call them Gurus. LifeTips is the place to go when you need to know about Pain Relief tips and hundreds of other topics.
Spinal discs have a three-fold function: holding the spine together, working as shock absorbers, and balancing the spine. The spine consists of 23 discs, 17 of which are responsible for controlling movement in the lumbar and cervical regions of the back. When these discs are damaged, the results can be grave, and include herniation, bulging, rupture, protrusion, or degeneration.
In terms of back pain, disc damage may not always indicate the amount of physical trauma. For example, a muscle spasm may induce endless pain whereas a herniated disc can be painless. Since discs are located in such a nerve-sensitive area, precise pain levels are rarely good indicators of damage.
To identify disc damage, it is necessary to perform radiographic tests to determine the type of injury. Following diagnosis, patients need to receive prompt and effective back pain information and treatment from a professional.
In recent times, it seems back pain is simply a natural consequence of age. These pains often go unexplained, but at times an underlying cause is evident. Back pain, whether acute or chronic, is often a blanket effect of strain on the back. The human spine holds the body together with a series of linking bones and discs. As aging occurs, the spinal column may endure strains and tears in muscle tissue. This destabilizing process gradually weakens the spine, and the final result is back pain.
Back pain causes may vary, but usually occur as a result of physical exertion or bodily injury. Back strain can also be caused by overwhelming amounts of stress & anxiety. Symptoms of low back strain include:
When one thinks of back pain, initial thoughts tend to concern the lower back. But let's not forget that the mid and upper back are part of the spine, too, and back pain symptoms can be felt there as well.
The structural support of the upper part of the spine is constantly challenged by the pull of gravity and the weight of your head. Since gravity is pulling the body forward and down and the weight of the head is substantial, the muscles in the thoracic spine (the portion of your back below the neck and above the lower back) have to constantly work to keep your torso upright. If those muscles are weak or deconditioned, the resultant stress of even the most natural of forces can create chronic or acute upper back pain.
Posture is the key to preventing this type of back pain, so for all those parents who nag their kids to stand up straight, keep it up! People who sit a lot, work at a computer or desk, or otherwise spend the majority of their time doing tasks in front of their body are prone to developing rounded shoulders. Having this type of hunched posture creates an alignment problem in the upper back and shoulders and results in a constant strain on the postural muscles. This continual strain causes those muscles to become overworked, which weakens them, making them less tolerable to even normal stress and strain. A cycle is created, perpetuated by weakness and poor posture. The result is upper back pain.
Upper back pain relief is best achieved through a combination approach. The use of modalities such as ice or heat will help ease the pain and muscle tightness. Exercises aimed at stretching the neck, chest and shoulder muscles will make it easier to achieve correct posture, and strengthening exercises for the upper back and shoulders will give those muscles what they need to maintain that posture. A physical therapist or qualified trainer are great resources to help you develop a comprehensive program that will alleviate this problem.
Your spine is an intricate and fascinating piece of machinery. Imagine balancing a wavering stack of bricks on a moving platform, with a jelly donut sandwiched between each pair of bricks. Add to that picture a series of delicate tubes coming out of each donut that will be squeezed too tight if the bricks or donuts press on them too hard. This image is very similar to how the vertebrae, disks, and nerves in your back funciton togther.
If something somewhere in that delicate system goes awry, back pain can result. Structures that may be the cause of back pain include:
Scoliosis testing has just recently become common in public schools, but studies reveal that this condition has been a cause of back pain for years. Scoliosis is a condition in which the spine loses its normal curvature and develops a lateral curve. When this occurs, the individual vertebrates located on the the spine are also stressed, causing the ribcage to distort. Scoliosis has been found to be more common in women, but its causes have yet to be determined.
As a result of scoliosis, back pain symptoms may wreak havoc along the curve of the spine. Generally speaking, the severity of the pain depends on the level of distortion. More serious curves will produce more back pain and even paralysis. Typically, back pain from scoliosis will be accompanied by bouts of tingling & numbness.
Regardless of severity, scoliosis is a serious condition that must be treated to prevent bodily harm. If you think you may be experiencing back pain from scoliosis, please consult with a clinician for further evaluation.
If you have chronic back pain, you know how it can negatively affect your entire life-- lost work days, cancelled trips, missed games, and just plain misery. The physical and emotional drain of continual or recurring discomfort in the back can be quite difficult to deal with; constant low grade pain stresses the body and mind, and pain that comes and goes can catch you off guard and throw a wrench in any plan. Here are some tips to achieve chronic back pain relief:
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