Back pain is something that affects millions of people all around the world. There are many different types of back ache and the levels of pain that are felt by sufferers can vary from just a slight tingle to almost paralysis with a person literally being able to move.
They can affect anyone
Back pains are something that can strike at any time, and though there are some reasons why you might suddenly find yourself in agony with an aching back, other times it’s a little more complicated.
Some of the most common reasons include pulling a muscle through either work or a sporting activity such as swimming or tennis, whereas there are also much more complex reasons such as a slipped disc, or a spine injury.
Dealing with backache
Most people in their lives have woken up one morning and found that their back, in particular the lower back region, is aching and very painful. Sometimes, it’s merely just a case of having a bad night’s sleep on a lumpy mattress, but other times there are underlying reasons.
There are lots of medical professionals who can help if you find yourself with backache, such as Amr Hosny, a back pain specialist from New York who offers a range of services to patients.
Some common things that people do for backache include placing a hot water bottle on the painful area, or taking a couple of strong painkillers. This can usually help with some not so serious pains, especially muscle strains, which though they can be incredibly painful, are nothing too serious and usually just require some good rest for a few days or so depending on the type of injury.
Tingling pains in your back or legs
If you feel tingling pains in your back or down your legs, then this might be an indication that the pain you are feeling in your back is slightly more serious. This tingling and numbness is often caused by a slipped disc in your back, which is pressing onto a nerve.
The pain from this can be almost unbearable at times, and you might feel as though one of your legs is completely numb. If you have experienced such pains and sensations then you need to speak to your doctor right away. They will probably send you off to have an x-ray or an MRI scan which will provide a much clearer picture of the situation.
Causes of a slipped disc
Slipped, or herniated discs as they are also known, can be caused by several factors. Sometimes it’s due to a sudden movement you have made, or if you have lifted something heavy. Lifting anything of much weight can cause a range of back pains, especially if you are lifting by bending your back, rather than your knees. There is a correct and wrong way to lift heavy objects, and unfortunately a lot of people learn the hard way.
As we get older the discs in our spine become much more brittle and are more prone to damage compared with a much younger person. Sometimes through therapy or even surgery, the disc can be put back into place, or if it’s a much more serious case, then part or all of the disc may be removed, in particular the piece that is pressing down on the nerve, causing the unbearable pain. It is a problem that can be resolved, one way or another.
Shoulder or neck pains
Another common pain that lots of people experience are aches on the upper region of your back, or around your shoulders or neck area. These are sometimes nothing more than a simple muscle strain through your general daily routine or maybe a sporting activity you participated in. Alternatively, it could simply be from a draught caused by sleeping with an open window.
If you find yourself spending lots of hours in front of a computer screen, this can be the cause of a variety of neck aches, which can subsequently pass down into your shoulders and upper back. Doctors will usually advise that you take frequent breaks away from the screen, and if sitting down for hours on end, then take a 10 minute walk, even around your office to loosen up the muscles.
Some final thoughts
Backache is one of the most common ailments and in most cases, it can be healed by simply resting and not putting too much strain on the affected region. However, not everyone is able to take it easy, especially those that are working, so you might need to take some painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inflammation of the pain.
If you have been suffering with back ache for more than a few days, then it would be a good idea to visit your doctor just to make sure it’s nothing too serious. However, if your condition is a serious one, then at least you can be treated quickly and stop the problem from escalating any further.
