A Look At Back Pain

Back pain is second only to the common cold as the ailment patients most frequently see their doctor for. Some studies suggest about 80 percent of Americans will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives.

Here a look into what causes back pain, its symptoms and various forms pain relief from exercises to medical treatments.

What is lower back pain?

The lower back is what connects your upper and lower body. Because most of your body's weight is placed on the lower back, injuries to it are more susceptible, especially when lifting, reaching, or twisting.

What causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain can be brought on by overuse, muscle strain, injury to the muscles, ligaments, or discs or a combination of all three factors. According to some experts, muscle strain can eventually lead to an imbalance in the spinal structure. This imbalance creates a constant tension on the muscles, ligaments, bones, and discs, thus makes the back more prone to injury or re-injury. Some back pain can also be related to previous back injuries.

Who is at risk for back pain?

While about 4 out of 5 of Americans experience back pain at one time in their lives, there are factors that put some people more at risk than others. These factors include being middle-aged (risk drops after age 65), being male, being pregnant (the back is significantly stressed by carrying a baby), family or past history of back pain, or having spine problems including having had compression fractures of the spine or having spine problems since birth.

Can you prevent back pain?

According to the Mayo Clinic, you may be able to avoid back pain by improving your physical condition and learning and practicing proper body mechanics.

Exercise. Regular low-impact aerobic activities — those that don't strain or jolt your back — can increase strength and endurance in your back and allow your muscles to function better. Walking and swimming are good choices. Talk with your doctor about which activities are best for you.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight puts strain on your back muscles.

Build muscle strength and flexibility. Abdominal and back muscle exercises help these muscles so that they work together like a natural corset for your back. Flexibility in your hips and upper legs aligns your pelvic bones to improve how your back feels.

To learn more about the back pain:

• Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health has more information on back pain.
• WebMD has additional resources at its Back Pain Health Center.
• You can click here for resources from the Mayo Clinic.

[normalmel]

I hear you loud and clear. My story is similiar.What are we to do?
I am also 46 year female, have lost most if not all of my friend that were left in NOLA, and cannot have a conversation or have a life due to a "permanent nerve damage" caused by a disc that fragmented in April 2005 after a severe fall in Dec 2004. They, charity, doctor assumed I only wanted drugs which was the opposite as now my liver is damage and I am declared disabled due to no one taking me serious enough to help me. I do not know what to do and feel the same about life not worth living. I just lost my boyfriend over this as his can no longer, "deal" with my pain. Others, who are mostly partiers, say, "no one wants to hear about it." so I stay home and cry. I have been a warrior for help now that I am relocated in Austin, but the health care system has me dead ended. I do not feel there are anymore options. Even today, after spending $500 on acupuncture, the physician said, you should be feeling better, no need to come back here. It that hopeless or what. It is wonderful to know you wrote exactly how I am feeling. alone and in severe "permanent nerve damage running down thru my foot that feels like I am being electrocuted 24/7. I even am going to an alexander technique.
this is way too much to handle alone.

[normalmel]

I hear you loud and clear. My story is similiar.What are we to do?
I am also 46 year female, have lost most if not all of my friend that were left in NOLA, and cannot have a conversation or have a life due to a "permanent nerve damage" caused by a disc that fragmented in April 2005 after a severe fall in Dec 2004. They, charity, doctor assumed I only wanted drugs which was the opposite as now my liver is damage and I am declared disabled due to no one taking me serious enough to help me. I do not know what to do and feel the same about life not worth living. I just lost my boyfriend over this as his can no longer, "deal" with my pain. Others, who are mostly partiers, say, "no one wants to hear about it." so I stay home and cry. I have been a warrior for help now that I am relocated in Austin, but the health care system has me dead ended. I do not feel there are anymore options. Even today, after spending $500 on acupuncture, the physician said, you should be feeling better, no need to come back here. It that hopeless or what. It is wonderful to know you wrote exactly how I am feeling. alone and in severe "permanent nerve damage running down thru my foot that feels like I am being electrocuted 24/7. I even am going to an alexander technique.
this is way too much to handle alone.

[normalmel]

I hear you loud and clear. My story is similiar.What are we to do?
I am also 46 year female, have lost most if not all of my friend that were left in NOLA, and cannot have a conversation or have a life due to a "permanent nerve damage" caused by a disc that fragmented in April 2005 after a severe fall in Dec 2004. They, charity, doctor assumed I only wanted drugs which was the opposite as now my liver is damage and I am declared disabled due to no one taking me serious enough to help me. I do not know what to do and feel the same about life not worth living. I just lost my boyfriend over this as his can no longer, "deal" with my pain. Others, who are mostly partiers, say, "no one wants to hear about it." so I stay home and cry. I have been a warrior for help now that I am relocated in Austin, but the health care system has me dead ended. I do not feel there are anymore options. Even today, after spending $500 on acupuncture, the physician said, you should be feeling better, no need to come back here. It that hopeless or what. It is wonderful to know you wrote exactly how I am feeling. alone and in severe "permanent nerve damage running down thru my foot that feels like I am being electrocuted 24/7. I even am going to an alexander technique.
this is way too much to handle alone.

[singlemale45]

Hello: I seen your story on Back Pain. Well here is my Story.

My name is Donald Eastman. I am a 46 year old single male, who had had very uncomfortable back pain now for the last 10 years.My back pain is so bad, that i cant walk for long periods of time, and cant sit or stand for long periods of time.I spend most of my time either on the couch or in bed. I only get out to go to the store, or other appoimtments.And thats even hard, and cause very bad pain. I have seen Doctors, i have seen 5 specialist. I have had 5 xrays on my back, i have had 8 MRI. The Doctors have told me, that i have 3 buldgeing disks,on top of that, i have arthritis, and on top of that i have a disease in my spine. The Doctors here have told me, that no Doctor here in my home town here in South Dakota, that will fix the problems. I have taken hundreds of pain medications, i have also tried a tens unit.I have Tried physical Therapy.They even sent me to a phyciatrist, cause they thought it was in my head. I have tried everything. I cant work anymore, i am now on Disbility.They thought maybe i had a pinched nerve, and they did surgery, but that didnt help. There are times, that i hurt so bad, that i wish i was dead, then i wouldnt have to deal with the pain. I wish i could find a doctor, who could help me, and get me back to normal, so i can have a normal life, and get back to work. Thank you for reading this. Sincerely Yours Donald Eastman.