Back Pain: Humanity’s Most Common Complaint

The phrase ‘back pain’ may be comprised of two separate words, but over time it has come to mean something far more intense than all other discomfort. ‘Pain’ just doesn’t seem to accurately describe the ache that can radiate from different areas of the back, neck and throughout the body and with different intensities. Couple the word pain with ‘back’ and we all say a collective “ah right” in our minds because we have felt the paralyzing spasms and discomfort of the dreaded ‘back pain’. Perhaps because the spine is such a complex network of nerves, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, it can be reasoned that this is why it can cause so much discomfort.

One of the most dreaded things an employer will ever hear from an employee is “I need to take time off because of my back”. Obviously no manager wants a worker to perform their duties while injured, but the utterance of complaints about back pain certainly seems as painful as the ailment itself, at least to the employer. Keeping it all in perspective is important. Back pain can be a symptom of a serious medical condition or just simply back pain. Often, there is no underlying disease or ailment, just a knotted muscle, pinched nerve, stress, poor posture or a host of other common ailments. In rare cases back pain is associated with cancer or an abscess.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, “acute low back pain is the fifth most common reason for physician visits”; but what does that really mean? What is the measurement for ‘acute’? How does ‘low back pain’ compare with neck and other anatomical locations? Physicians categorize acute back pain as having a duration of less than four weeks, sub-acute as four to 12 weeks and chronic as more than 12 consecutive weeks of pain. The location of the pain is very important in determining its cause, for example neck pain may be associated with muscular tension and lower back pain may be due to chronic bad posture for long periods of time (such as at a work station).

The causes of back pain, for the majority, are so innumerable that it would be virtually impossible to cover them all. Instead let’s look at care and prevention. For back spasms, acute pain, and sub-acute low back pain, heat therapy seems to have the most success. Moist heat is best, such as a hot bath or hut tub. Other sufferers prefer cold compresses for pain, but not spasms. Of course there is always the use of medications or muscle relaxants, but over time the body can build up a resistance to them and the patient will end up flooding their system with drugs which will inevitably harm the liver. Other pain management methods such as massage therapy, acupressure and acupuncture all have their followers and no doubt produce some profound pain-reducing benefits. However, it is very important to couple all of these treatments with lifestyle changes.

Once again, the majority of back pain sufferers whose causes are not related to cancer or other disease, there are simple yet fundamental changes that can be made to relieve chronic back pain. Consistent stretching in properly prescribed ways along with specific kinds of exercise will go a very long way to improving a patient’s quality of life. Even light exercise coupled with the continuation of regular daily activities will go a long way to improving one’s pain level. Regardless of injury or not, exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make you feel happier. Even if the physical effect of exercise doesn’t seem to produce fast enough results, at least the patient will find it easier to deal with the pain and management of it.

In addition to stretching and exercise, learning correct posture is exceedingly important in relieving and preventing back pain. Simply pulling the shoulders back and head up (instead of hunched over) can relax muscles, ease tension on the spinal cord and even improve oxygen intake, which in turn increases oxygen absorption in the blood and give us more energy! Just that simple adjustment can make a world of difference, if one chooses to keep at it. There are many more tips on improved posture, and are best delivered according to the specific needs of the patient. Seek out a trained professional who understands the mechanics of the body.

Back pain is a kind of pain all unto itself. Not only is it a universally known ailment, it is a universally dreaded condition because of its all-encompassing effect and impact on the sufferer. But there is hope! There are preventative measures and successful methods of pain management. Back pain may be humanity’s most common complaint, but it isn’t always a permanent affliction.

You don’t have to submit to the pain you feel in your back, tailbone or neck. At Body Built we provide ergonomic chairs for back pain. Work is so much more enjoyable when you feel as rested at the end of 8 hours as you did when you first started. Visit us online today for a quote!

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