Back pain can make everyday life a challenge. Individuals who suffer from back pain can find even the simplest of tasks to be difficult and painful. This type of pain can be horrible and debilitating. Often times it may seem like there is no end in sight for those who suffer from back pain. However, depending on the cause for your pain, there may be a solution.
Causes of Back Pain
Back pain has many different causes. Some people have back pain simply due to the fact that they are getting older. Poor physical fitness can also contribute to pain this often goes hand in hand with being overweight. Various lifestyles can also contribute to pain. People who are overweight or aren’t very physically fit tend to experience muscle weakness in the back. Weak muscles combined with the added stress of having to carry the extra weight can lead to back problems and pain. Your job may also be contributing to your pain. If you work at a desk all day and have poor posture or if you have a job that requires a lot of lifting or twisting then you may experience back pain. Sometimes the pain is hereditary or can be caused by arthritis.
Treating Back Pain
Often times back pain can be treated with rest and hot or cold packs. This will reduce swelling and numbs pain. However this is only a short term solution. For a long term solution it is important to make sure you follow through with lifestyle changes that will help improve your pain going forward. For example, if you have a job where you sit at a desk you will want to work on getting into the habit of practicing good posture. If you work at a job that requires a lot of twisting or lifting you may consider lifting by bending at the legs and keeping your back straight to help prevent injury. In either case, it is an excellent idea to exercise three times per week to take off excess weight and to keep your back muscles strong.
If these things are not enough to help resolve your pain then you may consider speaking with your doctor or a chiropractor about other changes you can make or other treatments that can lessen your pain. There are a variety of treatment options available to lessen or alleviate pain. Discuss your specific symptoms with your doctor and the two of you can work together to find the treatment plan that is best for you.