Back pain is pain felt in the human back that may come from the muscles , nerves , bones , joints or other structures in the spine.Most acute back pain is the result of trauma to the lower back or a disorder such as arthritis. Four out of five adults have at least one bout of back pain sometime during life. Because of this, the back can be particularly vulnerable to injury and back pain can be disabling. Although back pain can occur at any age, the peak time is between the ages of 45 and 59. Men and women tend to be affected equally. Symptoms may range from muscle ache to shooting or stabbing pain, limited flexibility and range of motion, or an inability to stand straight. Pain may radiate down the back of the leg to the foot and be accompanied by numbness or tingling when a disc prolapses and puts pressure on the nerves, causing sciatica. Chronic back pain is pain that persists for more than 3 months. Simple home treatment and proper body mechanics will often heal your back within a few weeks and keep it functional for the long haul. Surgery is rarely needed to treat back pain.

Acute or short-term low back pain generally lasts from a few days to a few weeks. You rely on your back to be the workhorse of the body its function is essential for nearly every move you make. Pain from trauma may be caused by a sports injury, work around the house or in the garden, or a sudden jolt such as a car accident or other stress on spinal bones and tissues. Disc Prolapse happens when the soft inner material of the vertebral disc bulges or bursts through the outer lining of cartilage and puts pressure on the spinal nerve. Muscle spasms also occur when the spinal nerves are irritated or damaged. It is often progressive and the cause can be difficult to determine. The condition is also common among people who are involved in tasks that require a lot of twisting and turning of the back and spine.

Causes of Back Pain

The common Causes of Back Pain :

As the spine is such a complex structure, it can often be difficult to pin down the exact cause of back pain.
Probably the most common cause is when the back muscles begin to spasm.
Other causes of back pain include arthritis, fractures and infections.
The muscle is damaged, or irritated, and goes into spasm to protect the area from further injury.
If a fever and a tender, warm area accompany back pain, the cause could be an infection.
Various other conditions can cause back pain, and if in doubt about what is causing your pain, you should consult your doctor.
Although the experts may not agree on what is causing the problem, there is a surprising amount of agreement on how best to improve the situation.

Symptoms of Back Pain

Some Symptoms of Back Pain :

Pain is worse when you cough or sneeze
Pain or numbness travels down one or both legs
Pain awakens you from sleep
You are finding it difficult to pass urine or have a bowel movement
Pain is accompanied by loss of control of urination or bowel movements
Shortness of breath

Treatment of Back Pain

Use simple pain killers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen if necessary.
If it seems to be lasting more than a few days, consider seeing a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath, as it may be that the treatments they use (such as manipulation) will help aid your recovery. You may wish to consult your doctor prior to this.
Avoid activities likely to put unnecessary strain on your back.
The main thing about most low back pain is do not worry - it will usually get better on its own, within a few days, or possibly a few weeks. See your doctor if you think you are in one of the red flag categories.
The pain may force you to rest, but this is a result of the pain, and not a good treatment for back pain. If you have to take to your bed, limit it, if possible, to a day or two at the most.
Stay active , and if at all possible, stay at work.
This surgery involves joining two vertebrae to eliminate painful movement.

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