My back … it hurts! This has become the most common phrase nowadays. No matter what age; men, women and even children complain about backache. This is a serious problem as it reduces work capacity, influences overall health and effects social and family life. According to different health surveys the percentage of backache is only second to headache among the most common pains. According to orthopedic specialist, “our backbone is a wonderful gift of God. We ourselves are the most common reason for backache. 80 percent of backaches are caused by bad postures. Only 20 percent people suffer because of old age”.
Our backbone consists of 38 spinal discs. These discs act as the spine shock absorbers. Each disc has a tire-like outer band. Sometimes with wrong posture this outer band cracks and gel like substance preventing friction leaks out. This puts pressure on the spinal canal causing pain.
Sometimes with age spinal discs become thinner or degenerate and the jelly like central portion bulges out and thus pushes against the nerve root. This is the reason for backache in old age. Mostly there are two types of pain. Those which last less than a month are called acute and the pains lasting for a longer period are chronic. As far as the other reasons of backache are concerned, a neurologist says, “nerve inflammation, irritation or injury caused by falling or lifting heavy objects can lead to backache”. Stress, anxiety and depression can also cause backache because these make muscles contract and reduce blood flow to nerves. “The reduced blood flow can result in nerve irritation thus causing pain”. Backache during pregnancy is common. Increased size of uterus and abdomen puts extra pressure on back and suppresses spinal discs. Another reason for back pain in women is due to leukorrhea. “Bones start losing calcium due to this disease and weak bones are always painful”, explain gynecologists. Ovarian, bladder, kidney and pelvic infections can also cause backache. Extra body weight is just another reason as it puts extra stress on the back. So a proper diagnosis is always necessary for proper treatment.
Nowadays there are number of treatments available for backache. Improving your posture is perhaps the best cure as well as prevention. According to physiotherapists, “Most backaches occur because we usually ignore the delicacy of our back during the daily activities. If you walk, sit and sleep right you can forget backache even in your sixties”. They suggest the following self therapies:
- Avoid sitting for prolonged periods as it compresses the spinal discs.
- Improve your gait. Learn to walk with shoulders pushed back head in the right position without slouching forward.
- Always sleep on a proper surface with a proper pillow. Right posture not only prevents and relieves backache but also maintains correct alignment of joints, bones, muscles and nerves. “It decreases the abnormal wearing of joints and thus prevents arthritis and fatigue,” say the physiotherapists.
Exercise is good for all organs but works wonders for an aching back. “Resting and lying all the time makes muscles weak and they do not support spine well”, say experts. One should also know that exercises for every backache are not the same because reasons are different. “Stretches that relieve one kind of pain can make another severe”. Moreover, natural pain killers called endorphins are released by the body during. exercise that prevent pain. Perhaps that is why physiotherapy which is a form of exercise is known as the best treatment for backache. Massage has been an ancient remedy for backache. Even nowadays massage therapists treat it effectively with massage. Experts suggest olive and black cumin oil (kalonji) massage best for back pain relief. “Nutrients of these oils reach nerves and muscles and reduce inflammation and irritation”.
Moreover, injections are also available to relief backache. Orthopedic waist belts, though not a cure, also help reduce pain by correcting the posture. Surgery is also suggested in some cases but that should be the last option as a lot of care is needed after surgery. Laser surgery is becoming popular nowadays as it has proved effective. “Laser vaporizes the bulging tissue and relieves pressure on the spinal nerve”, say experts. Remember, immediate treatment is necessary for any type of backache. Because spinal cord which is part of the brain runs through the backbone and any damage to it can cause great loss; even immobility. So take care of your backbone as any problem in the back can upset your whole life.
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