November 15, 2019
Our back is composed of muscles and bones to support our body and able us to move. Problems from any of these components can lead to back pain and It can be uncomfortable and devastating. Back pain can affect people of any age, for different reasons. As people get older, the chance of developing lower back pain increases, due to factors such as previous occupation and degenerative disk disease.
Causes Of Back Pain
Back pain is not always something you can always ignore and sometimes you need to see lower back pain specialists. Here are some of the causes:
- Spinal stenosis– As a person ages, the disks between the vertebrae wear away and shrink, in which the bones starts to rub each other, thus causing pain.
- Spinal arthritis– It is an inflammation of the facet joints in the spine. It can occur anywhere along the spine, but is more frequent in the lower back and neck.
- Osteoporosis- It is a degenerative disease affecting the elderly characterized by a decrease in bone density. The bones become thinner and weaker.
- Strain– This refers to damage to the soft tissues in the body, including ligaments, tendons, and muscle. It is overstretched, torn, or twisted tendon or muscle.It is usually a result of incorrect lifting of heavy objects, lifting something improperly or long hours of playing a sport.
Precautions
To prevent back pain, follow these tips:
- Get a back decompression belt (go directly to Halo Health)
- Exercise to prevent future back pain. Do an exercise that is right for you. Through exercise you can improve your posture, flexibility, and it also strengthens your back and abdomen. Try yoga or tai chi.
- Learn to lift and bend properly. Spread your feet apart to give you a wide base of support when lifting. Bend at your knees, not at your waist.
- Avoid standing for long periods.
- Quit smoking
- Lose weight.
- Have a good massage.
- Place a small pillow or rolled towel behind your lower back while sitting.
- Improve your posture. Most of us spend a good part of our day sitting down, which may be more harmful than you realize. Poor posture is another major cause of back pain. You should keep your feet flat on the floor you are not leaning forward or slumping.
- Choose a mattress for back pain relief.
Treatment
Most acute back pain gets better with a few weeks of home treatment. Your doctor might also suggest the following:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers.
- Topical pain relievers: these are creams, salves, or ointments you rub into your skin.
- Dr. Ho’s 2-in-1 Back Decompression Belt: provides traction and decompression therapy. Back decompression is a technique endorsed by medical professionals for both upper and lower back pain treatment. You can wear it for 30 minutes per day as a therapy belt or wear it all day as an activity belt. You can also wear it at night to help improve sleep.
- Injections: If the other measures do not relieve the pain of your back, your doctor may suggest injection. It is an anti-inflammatory medication. It helps decrease inflammation around the nerve roots.
