Pain Relief Info Guide

Back Pain Relief With Five Easy Steps

January 30th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

Have you ever had a sore back? If you have which most of have, you know a resolution to the problem may take a bit more than two aspirin or a trip to the chiropractor. It is not that simple. It occurs for a number of reasons. The most common ways that Americans hurt their backs and five methods to relieve back pain are listed in this article. So breathe easy. It is just a few paragraphs away.

Causes of Back Pain: The Usual Suspects

The most common causes of back pain are muscle strains. A muscle strain occurs whenever a muscle is damaged by tearing or bruising. Muscle strains are caused by everything from bending or stretching the wrong way to using bad posture when sitting. The back and spine support all the systems of the body. The constant stress on the spine means that most people will experience some form of back pain in their lifetimes.

Some other “usual suspects” commonly causing back pain are: slipped or herniated spinal disks, torn ligaments or tendons, nerve compression, osteoarthritis of the spine, incorrectly lifting heavy objects, moving the body in a sudden or unusual manner, obesity, and- for the ladies- wearing high heels.

Just as lifting a heavy object can be the cause, so can carrying around too much body fat. Obesity is a leading cause of chronic back pain. Pregnancy commonly causes lower back pain for a similar reason. Pregnancy can also, like high heels, change the body’s center of gravity, causing the body to tilt and apply more pressure to the spine.

Relief Strategies

There as many ways to provide back pain relief as there are causes. The strategies can be grouped into five categories: hot/cold application, oral medications, topical analgesics, strengthening exercises, and complementary methods.

The quickest and easiest way to ease a strained muscle or sore back is to apply a heating pad or 20 or 30 minute intervals. For pain with swelling, rotating ice for 20 to 30 minutes is also beneficial.

Non-prescription medications can reduce swelling and pain. Aspirin, naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all good pain relievers. Prescription pain relievers and muscle relaxants may be required for more severe back pain relief. Topical creams like capsaicin cream, which is made of hot chili peppers, and aspirin creams can be rubbed into sore muscles to ease pain.

If you want to have a long-term management of back pain, practise yoga, physical therapy, and other exercises for lower back pain, they are all helpful. Muscles become stronger when you exercise and you are less likely to suffer strain. Eastern and Western methods can be added to treat back pain. Back pain sufferers can manage and relief pain with acupuncture, massage, and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Follow the five easy steps and you are on the way to relief your pain.