Back pain refers to the pain felt in the back area of the body. Due to pain, which can be acute or chronic, the condition may negatively affect a person’s activities of daily living. In this regard, the following are the causes, signs and symptoms, and home remedies for back pain.
Causes
Back pain has several causes. According to Spine Health, these include back muscle strain, which is due to lifting a heavy object, twisting, or sudden movement; lumbar herniated disc related to compression of a lower spine nerve root; degenerative disc disease, which results from the breakdown and inflammation of the lumbar discs between the vertebrae; isthmic spondylolisthesis, which is related to forward slippage of a vertebra in the lower back; and sacroiliac joint disease, which is due to lack of or excessive movement of the sacroiliac joint, the joints that connect the sacrum and at the bottom of the spine to the hip.
Signs and Symptoms
Along with pain, back pain presents several associated symptoms. As per Web MD, these include persistent pain along the spine; sharp pain in the neck and back, chronic pain in the middle or lower back particularly when sitting or standing for prolonged periods, pain that extends to the buttock, and difficulty in standing straight without experiencing pain in the lower back.
Home Remedies
While pain medications can be administered as part of treatment regimen for back pain, home remedies can also be done to manage the condition without dependence to pharmaceutics.
Cold and Heat Application
The application of cold and heat serves as one of the remedies for back pain. According to Best Health Magazine, cold application like ice blocks pin signals and helps reduce swelling. This can be done by placing an ice pack wrapped in a towel on the painful area for up to 20 minutes. Also, the person may utilize a bag of frozen peas or corn. As per the publication, the application may be done as often as needed during the initial few days of treatment. Following two days or 48 hours, heat application is started to encourage blood flow, as well as decrease painful spasms. This can be done by dipping a towel in a very warm water, wringing it out, flattening, and folding it. Then, the person lies on his stomach with pillows under his hips and ankles. He then places the towel across the painful area, covers it with plastic wrap and applies a heating pad set on medium atop the plastic. Then, the application is left for up to 20 minutes. The procedure can be done for three to four times a day for a few days.
Exercise
Back pain may involve muscle strain, so exercising the core may help relieve the pain. According to Spine Health, the abdominal and back muscles have pivotal roles when it comes to supporting the lower spin, so their function will be improved through exercise. As per the publication, these exercises can be performed in 20 to 30 minutes as part of the person’s daily routine. A case in point is sitting upright on an exercise ball for 30 minutes a day to engage the core muscles.
Back pain involves sensations that may have adverse impacts to a person’s daily activities and social interaction with others. Thus, it is vital to seek medical consult from a health professional for proper assessment, planning, intervention, education, and evaluation.
