Back pain is one of the most common reasons why people visit the hospital. Anyone who’s ever had back pain would know how incapacitating and unpleasant it is. Back pain can be classified into two types, depending on the part of the back affected. They are the pain in the upper part/middle part of the back, and the pain of the lower part of the back. The pain of the lower part of the back is the most common type of back pain. On the other hand, back pain can also be classified based on the duration of the pain. For example, it can be acute, which is when the pain is less than 6 weeks. Also, there is the sub-chronic lower back pain, this is when the pain lasts for between 6 to 12 weeks, and lastly, the chronic lower back pain, this is when the pain lasts for more than 12 weeks. Also, lower back pain can be divided based on the cause of the disorder. This could be mechanical or non-mechanical. The non-mechanical kind of pain is also known as referred pain. Back pain may occur as a result of different causes. Some of them include musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis, ankyloses spondylitis. Other cause of back pain includes sprains of the muscles, nerves, and bones of the back, herniation of the vertebral disc or slipped disc. Also, renal stones or urinary tract infection are also one of the causes of back pain. People who suffer frequently from this disease might feel that there is little or nothing that can be done to improve their condition. Even though there are a lot of medications that can give some relief from this condition, they are often associated with side effects. However, there are some natural remedies that are effective, and without side effects. In addition to this, they’re also quite affordable.

 What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Back Pain?

Patients affected by back pain do present with different signs and symptoms, however, the presentation depends on the severity of the condition. Below are some of the signs and symptoms of back pain;

  1. Dull pain, burning or sharp pain especially in the upper or middle part of the back.
  2. Burning pain that migrates from the lower part of the back to the back of the thighs. The pain can sometimes move to the lower legs and feet.
  3. The patient might experience pain that starts abruptly or slowly get worse.
  4. The patient might experience pain, especially after sitting or standing for a period of time.
  5. Pain and difficulty standing up, walking or sitting after standing for a while.
  6. Patients might experience constant pain or one that comes and go.
  7. Some of the serious symptoms of upper back pain include weakness in the arms or legs.
  8. Patients might present with the numbness of the arms, legs, chest and the abdomen.
  9. Patients might lose control of their bladder and also the loss of bowel control.

   Natural Remedies for Back Pain and Inflammation

  1. Cold compression: Immediately after an injury, the next thing to do is some damage control. Applying a cold compress would just suffice for this purpose. It helps to reduce the blood flow to the affected area, and also reduces the inflammation. Whenever a part of the body is injured, the body naturally heals itself. A large proportion of the materials needed for the healing are directed towards the affected region of the body. Although, while this is happening the patient might feel some swelling and pain in the region of the injury. This is where cold compression becomes useful. It helps to reduce slow down the process of inflammation. People suffering from injuries to the bone, cartilage, ligament, strains and sprains find it useful. So next time you have an injury, you should immediately apply a cold pack for at least 20 minutes at a time.
  2. Warm packs: Applying warm packs or heat to the part of the back where there is pain helps to relieve pain. It’s more comforting that using a cold compress. However, warm packs should not be used within the first 2 days. The warm pack helps to increase the blood circulation to the injured region of the body. Improved blood flow to the affected part helps to eliminate some products that might have accumulated in the tissues.
  3. Back massage: Massages are also a great way of relaxing the back. They don’t have to be high-intensity. A few sessions of massage a week would go a long way in reducing back pain. On the other hand, heavy massages can worsen back pain. Gentle massages help to relax the muscles, and also improve the blood flow to the back. There are some special oils that also enhances this process. Examples of this include Chamomile or lavender.
  4. Herbal solutions: There are some herbal mixtures that help to relieve back pain. They can be a better option to over-the-counter pain relievers. Chamomile tea is a good herbal product that helps to relieve stress, and also relaxes the muscles. Another example of a herbal solution that is effective in the treatment of back pain is Ginger tea. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to reduce back pain.
  5. Loss of weight: Excess weight puts a strain on the back. This is why it’s important to lose some weight when experiencing prolonged back pain. Losing a few pounds of weight can cause a significant difference to the posture and reduce or eliminate back pain.
  6. Stop smoking: Smokers are more prone to developing back pain, as compared to non-smokers. Quitting smoking is one way to reduce back pain.
  7. Prevention: It’s best to avoid lifting objects that are too heavy for you. This would put less stress on the back and prevent back pain.
  8. Warm bath
  9. Firmer bed
  10. Drink more water

    Back Pain Doctor Near Me

It’s important to visit a physician if you notice you’ve been having pain for a long time. They would give you the right diagnosis and the right treatment.

References

Back pain. (2017). NHS .uk. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/back-pain/

Back Pain. (2018). National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/back-pain

Back Pain | PainDoctor.com. (2013). Pain Doctor. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://paindoctor.com/conditions/back-pain/

DerSarkissian, C. (2018). Causes of Back PainWebMD. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/causes-back-pain#1

Gerard Malanga, M. (2018). Which Medications Are Best for Acute Low Back Pain?SpineUniverse. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/back-pain/low-back-pain/conclusion-acute-low-back-pain-medication

Peggy Pletcher, C. (2017). Back pain: Causes, symptoms, and treatmentsMedical News Today. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/172943.php

Watson, S. (2011). Top Causes of Low Back PainWebMD. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.webmd.com/back-pain/features/causes#1