The number of things that can cause you back pain are legion. Probably the most are a sprain, strain or spasm caused by lifting something wrong., bad posture or an unhealthy environment. According to Dr. Steven Richeimer, Director of USC Medical Center’s pain management department, 65-85% of the U.S. population will suffer from back pain at some time in their lives. Disc problems developing from an injury, wear and tear or just plain old age are also prime causes of back pain. Finally, there are a variety of medical problems including spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis that may be the source of the problem. Only a doctor can be certain.
Of course there are different types of back pain which range from temporary to chronic. Even a short-lived problem, however, may be extremely painful while it lasts. Acute Pain is a warning to limit the activity that might result in more serious damage. It is severe and usually of short duration. The more intense this pain is and the longer it lasts increases the possibility that it will become chronic. Chronic Pain is a disease process. It can last for years and even for many decades. Some of the factors that underlie the development of chronic pain include nerve damage, age depression and level of disability. Neuropathic Pain is a pain patients describe as burning, tingling or shooting. Many medical treatments, medications, therapies and surgery may be required to alleviate it. Finally, there is Nociceptive Pain or localized pain described by sufferers as throbbing, aching or sharp in nature. Pain after surgery, an accident or resulting from arthritis fall into this category.
Physicians deal with these pain problems in different ways depending upon the cause. Some treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); anti-depressants; epidural steroid injections; facet joint injections; nerve blocks; physical therapy and even biofeedback techniques.
There are some new products on the market that have received good reviews on their ability to provide back pain relief. One of these, called “Posture Pump Spine Trainer” which was developed by a doctor, is designed to correct improper spine curvature which has compressed spinal discs so that rich lubricating fluid cannot reach them. This device restores proper spinal configuration and fluid flow and thereby alleviates or eliminates pain. Users who have had success using this product swear to both its effectiveness and relatively low cost compared to expensive medical procedures.
Whether the solution is medical or through physical manipulation, saying goodbye to pain is a benefit that dramatically affects quality of life.
I've being researching about Lower Back pain and reading your blog, I found your post very helpful :) . I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog!
Posted by: Acupuncture Services | January 05, 2010 at 06:24 AM